Ismael’s story is one of passion and purpose. Growing up in Côte d’Ivoire, he saw firsthand how tough it was for families dealing with poor health. This lit a fire in him to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Ismael’s journey took him across the globe, working with NGOs, private companies, and even the U.S. government to bring about big humanitarian changes. He holds two graduate degrees in International Studies and Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Now, Ismael calls South Bend Indiana home, where he lives with his wife, Lenora, and their three energetic sons. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the family moved back to the U.S. and decided to start NoraCare. Their goal is to make it far easier and much more affordable for health professionals and community members to connect and make a difference.
Listening to countless families and their struggles with healing and recovery taught Ismael a vital lesson – accessible healthcare truly is everything. With NoraCare, he’s dedicated to making a positive impact on as many lives as possible.
Each of our staff members are driven by the belief that every individual deserves to live with dignity, comfort, and independence – regardless of their age or health condition. To fulfil this belief, our commitment is to deliver compassionate, personalized care that prioritizes the well-being and satisfaction of our clients above all else.
Every action we take is infused
with empathy, kindness, and a
deep commitment to improving
the well-being of those we serve,
ensuring they feel valued,
respected, and supported.
As co-founder and COO of NoraCare, Lenora is dedicated to ensuring that every client gets the best care possible. With a wealth of experience from her time with the federal government and various non-profits, Lenora has led multi-million dollar projects providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities around the world.
She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and International Development from Ohio University and is currently working on her Doctorate in Public Health at Tulane University.
Lenora’s passion and expertise drive NoraCare’s mission to connect health professionals with community members in need.
Gerald Kukome plays a crucial role as the Operations Manager, making sure everything runs smoothly and the team gets the support they need to excel. With 30 years of experience as a Certified Nurse Assistant, Gerald has dedicated his career to helping individuals with chronic health conditions.
If you’re thinking about partnering with NoraCare, Gerald will likely be one of the first friendly faces you meet. His extensive experience and genuine care ensure that every client feels supported and valued.
Behind the scenes, Esther Wankyo keeps the office running smoothly and coordinates special projects, ensuring everything is efficient and effective. With her keen attention to detail and years of experience in staffing, communication, and home health care, Esther provides the same care to our team that we do to our clients.
She holds a degree in Communication from Indiana University-Indianapolis and uses her skills to enhance and advance the quality of service NoraCare provides.
With years of experience as a social worker in Indiana, Michigan, and Massachusetts, Magdalena brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate approach to her role.
She loves finding solutions and supporting families and clients, especially those with developmental disabilities. Magdalena is trained in dialectical behavior therapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy, ensuring she can offer the best support possible.
She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Indiana University and a degree in Psychology from Kaplan University. Magdalena’s friendly and attentive nature makes her an essential part of the NoraCare team, always ready to lend a helping hand.
Juliana is the Care Manager. She runs the adult care homes and ensures that our residents find a place away from home. As a Certified Nurse Assistant, She has a passion for elderly care. She goes above and beyond to ensure our residents and their families receive the best care and services. She trains and supervises all the aides at the adult care home. She brings years of experience as a personal service attendant and a CNA.
Janie is an experienced Business Development Manager! With a knack for turning boring sales pitches into a symphony of caring and warm conversations, Jane brings a wealth of experience to our team. Jane is a local expert in elderly care and is dedicated to making convenient and quality home care available to more community members. She’s not just about business; she’s on a mission to spread knowledge and compassion.
