Meet the Leadership Team
Behind every great caregiving experience is a team that shows up — not just for clients, but for each other. Our Boston Northwest Leadership Team brings the coordination, heart, and expertise that keep everything running smoothly. Click any photo below to meet the people working behind the scenes.
Dave Tasto, CDP
President/Owner
Dave Tasto, CDP – President/Owner
Assisting Hands – Boston Northwest was launched after Dave saw the value of high-quality, individualized care through a family experience, having been inspired by those caring for his grandmother. His experience in program and product management, with a personal interest in directly impacting people’s lives, fuels his passion to offer others the same level of care his grandmother received. He holds an engineering degree from Boston University, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP).
Dave is active in the local community, serving on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for the Bedford, MA Chamber of Commerce, supporting local schools and veterans’ programs, and being involved in his church. His commitment to helping families keep loved ones healthy at home is evident in his published book: Thriving at Home – A Handbook for Preventing Hospital Stays. He grew up in Minnesota before moving to Boston, where he met his wife of 20 years, Urszula. Dave and Urszula have two children – a son and a daughter. He loves hiking, sailing, and skiing – all with family and friends.
Victoria Nakiyaga, CDP
Director of Operations
Victoria Nakiyaga, CDP – Director of Operations
Victoria has a post-graduate diploma in human resource management and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work. Her passion for helping others derives from growing up with her grandparents and ensuring they received the best care. She joined Assisting Hands in 2020 as a Caregiver. Victoria demonstrated her commitment to high-quality of care and was invited to share her experience and education as an office team member.
She takes pride in providing the best services to our clients and their families. As Director of Operations, Victoria is focused on raising the bar and making the best matches for our clients and caregivers, bearing in mind their unique needs. In her free time, Victoria loves to spend time with her family and participates in implementing programs at her church.
Jenna Aufiero
Intake/Case Coordinator
Jenna Aufiero - Intake/Case Coordinator
Jenna joins Assisting Hands with over 10 years of healthcare staffing experience. She has spent the bulk of her career developing and maintaining strong relationships with healthcare professionals and facilities alike. Most of her experience in healthcare staffing has been in developing and growing nursing and allied health divisions in the organizations she has worked with.
Jenna prides herself on her ability to understand the needs of the clients she is working with and her ability to empathize and provide comfort to the families she works with as well. As a daughter of a dad with dementia and a mom with health concerns, she understands the stress and anxiety that is created by being the primary caregiver for family members. Jenna’s goal is to provide families with the care needed to help them spend quality time with their families outside of being primary caregivers. She is excited about this journey with Assisting Hands and is able to leverage her experience in the past working with nurses, allied health professionals, and directors to ensure our clients have the best possible care.
When Jenna is not working, she can be found spending time with her 3 teenage daughters, often attending their many sporting events. She is an avid runner and enjoys the time outside.
Rebecca Burke, MS, CDCP
Clinical Case Manager
Rebecca Burke, MS, CDCP - Clinical Case Manager
Rebecca has served in hospital, assisted living, and home care settings. Rebecca began her career as a CNA and gained experience with independent living community supports, elder services, and adult protective services.
Rebecca earned a Master of Science in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, following a B.A. in Applied Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Most notably, Rebecca credits her educational achievements to her beginnings at Bunker Hill Community College in Charlestown, MA.
Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her daughter, playing music, and reading a good book at the beach.
Marilyn McMillan, RN
Clinical Case Manager
Marilyn McMillan, RN - Clinical Case Manager
Marilyn McMillan is a Registered Nurse with more than 40 years of experience providing comprehensive healthcare, case management, rehabilitation services, medical-legal consulting, and health and wellness education across a broad range of clinical and professional settings.
Throughout her distinguished career, she has combined compassionate patient care and strong patient advocacy with expertise in geriatric care management, complex illness and injury management, rehabilitation nursing, and holistic health. Marilyn is deeply committed to ensuring that every individual has access to high-quality, compassionate care regardless of background, circumstance, or level of need.
Marilyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fitchburg State University. She received her RN diploma from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing, where she was honored with the Excellence in Patient Care Award. She holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN), Certified Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist, and Board-Certified Nurse Coach (NC-BC).
In addition to her extensive nursing and consulting background, Marilyn is a Board-Certified Holistic Health and Wellness Nurse Coach who provides individualized coaching and wellness support for clients, women’s health initiatives, and cancer support programs. As an active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she incorporates evidence-based lifestyle medicine and health education strategies to help patients and clients improve overall wellness, enhance quality of life, and support healthy aging.
Natalie Clerger-Guerrier, MPH, CDP
Clinical Case Manager
Natalie Clerger-Guerrier, MPH, CDP - Clinical Case Manager
Natalie brings more than a decade of experience in healthcare, developmental disabilities, case management, brain injury services, memory care, and senior living leadership. Throughout her career, she has led interdisciplinary teams, developed care programs, educated caregivers, and supported individuals and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds through some of life’s most challenging transitions.
As a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Master of Public Health graduate, Natalie combines clinical knowledge with an advanced understanding of population health, quality improvement, and person-centered care.
Natalie is particularly passionate about caregiver education, dementia care, and empowering families with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to navigate complex care decisions. She believes the best outcomes are achieved through understanding, clear communication, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to helping individuals remain safe, supported, and engaged throughout life’s unpredictable transitions.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two children, cooking homemade meals, and journaling.
Tony Mendez, CDCP
Sr. Community Liaison
Tony Mendez, CDCP - Sr. Community Liaison
Tony Mendez brings more than 15 years of healthcare administration, consulting, and operations experience across quality improvement, durable medical equipment, legislative and community health initiatives, care coordination, and organizational strategy. Most recently, he served as Director of Nursing Triage Logistics, overseeing high-pressure healthcare operations, team development, workflow improvement, and service coordination across a fast-moving clinical support environment.
He has previously served on the board of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, reflecting his commitment to both professional leadership and compassionate, informed care for individuals living with cognitive change.
In Tony’s role at Assisting Hands, he helps families, healthcare providers, senior living communities, and community partners connect around one shared goal: helping older adults remain safe, supported, and independent wherever they call home.
Tony believes community outreach is most effective when it feels less like marketing and more like problem-solving. His approach is rooted in listening first, building trust, and helping partners and families find practical solutions during moments that often feel overwhelming.
Outside of work, Tony loves traveling with his family and has visited 27 countries — a perspective that fuels his curiosity, adaptability, and appreciation for the many different ways people define home.
Lessley Columna, CDCP
Community Liaison
Lessley Columna, CDCP - Community Liaison
Lessley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Studies from Salem State University. Her professional journey began as a Community Health Worker, where she spent over a year working directly with diverse populations to improve access to care and connect them with essential resources. This experience sparked a deep commitment to health equity and community support.
She later served as a Care Coordinator at a veterinary clinic for nearly three years, where she expanded her administrative and customer service skills, all while providing a welcoming and supportive experience for clients.
With a deep commitment to community connection and equitable access to services, Lessley is proud to support the mission of Assisting Hands.
Outside of work, Lessley enjoys painting and spending time outdoors, often exploring local trails and parks through walks and hikes.
Rick Utaegbulam
Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager
Rick Utaegbulam - Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager
Rick joins Assisting Hands Home Care with over 18 years of healthcare experience, from entry-level customer service to HR, executive management, and business development. Regardless of the healthcare arena, he has found ways to make indelible, long-lasting impacts that benefit both the company and clients.
Rick’s background in healthcare began as a medical records coordinator for third-party billing of insurance claims, working with insurance companies such as Transamerica, Genworth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Tufts, to name a few. Rick has also been in medical device manufacturing, serving patients locally within the Partners Healthcare Network. In addition, Rick served as the Director of Provider Relations and Diversity Affairs for a nurse triage company, where he was successful in identifying strategies and operational processes for expanding their clientele portfolio, as well as improving morale and performance within their respective staffs.
Prior to joining Assisting Hands, Rick was the Hospice Liaison Executive for the MetroWest Area, as part of the Business Development Team for a nationwide hospice company. He has built and stands by his reputation for going above and beyond in providing a comforting presence to the families he serves.
He has a passion for helping people and his teammates through a compassionate, team-oriented spirit. As our Talent Acquisition and Retention Manager, Rick will be employing the entire repertoire of his healthcare journey in helping to lead us in maintaining our team culture, expanding our team, and retaining our quality-focused employees.
Rick lives in the MetroWest Boston area and is a pillar within his community through his work with youth, community relations, activism, and advocacy. When not fighting for social justice or seeking to make a difference in young minds, Rick enjoys his faith and helping his church, sports, music, poetry, outdoor activities, cooking, and time with family and friends.
Emily Carranza
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Emily Carranza - Talent Acquisition Specialist
Emily’s passion for healthcare began in high school as a Certified Nursing Assistant, where working directly with individuals showed her the impact that compassion, support, and quality care can have on people’s lives.
As her career grew into healthcare administration, leadership, and talent acquisition, she discovered that supporting the people behind the care is just as important as providing it. More recently, the loss of her mother reignited her commitment to healthcare and strengthened my dedication to helping others.
Today, she combines her professional experience with a people-first approach focused on building meaningful relationships, supporting teams, and creating positive experiences for those she serves.
Emily loves to spend time with her family and friends, as well as her many cats. She also loves to travel and loves to try new places to eat.
Tabata Denisse Román
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Tabata Denisse Román - Talent Acquisition Specialist
Tabata is a dedicated Human Resources and Customer Service professional whose career has been built on a genuine passion for helping people and creating meaningful connections. With experience supporting both employees and clients, she brings a people-centered approach, empathy, and professionalism to every aspect of her work.
Throughout her career, Tabata has been committed to fostering positive workplace cultures, helping individuals find opportunities where they can thrive, and ensuring that people feel valued and supported. She believes that strong relationships, compassion, and excellent service are the foundation of any successful organization.
Her commitment to caring is deeply personal. During her mother’s battle with terminal cancer, Tabata became her primary caregiver. As her mother’s condition progressed and she lost her mobility, Tabata lovingly cared for her every day, preparing meals, assisting with personal care, managing and closely following her medication schedule, and providing unwavering support through every stage of her journey. It was an incredibly difficult and emotional experience, but she remained dedicated to ensuring her mother felt comfortable, cared for, and dignified. She also made it a priority to help her mother feel beautiful and confident, whether by cutting and styling her hair, doing her makeup, or simply bringing moments of comfort and normalcy during a challenging time. Although it was one of the most difficult experiences of her life, it taught her the true meaning of compassion, patience, resilience, and selfless love.
Outside of work, Tabata’s greatest joy is being a mother. She cherishes spending quality time with her daughter, creating meaningful memories together, and being present in every stage of her life. Her love for family and caring for others continues to inspire both her personal and professional journey.
Millaray Consoli, LPN
Care Coordinator
Millaray Consoli, LPN – Care Coordinator
Millaray Consoli is a dedicated healthcare professional with over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through compassionate, person-centered care. Her passion for caregiving began in Finland, where she completed her Practical Nurse (LPN) education and spent many years working within municipal healthcare services. Throughout her career, she has cared for individuals with a wide range of medical, rehabilitative, and long-term care needs, helping them maintain dignity, independence, and quality of life.
Drawing on extensive experience in healthcare and community-based support services, Millaray brings a unique combination of clinical knowledge, strong organizational skills, and genuine compassion. She is committed to building meaningful relationships with clients and their families, ensuring they feel supported, informed, and valued throughout their care journey.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Finnish, Millaray enjoys connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and helping bridge communication gaps that can impact care. Her international healthcare experience has given her a broad perspective on patient advocacy, cultural sensitivity, and individualized support.
As a mother of two, Millaray understands the importance of balancing family responsibilities with health and well-being. She approaches every interaction with empathy, professionalism, and a sincere desire to help others thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at school activities, exploring New England, and maintaining close ties to her Chilean and Finnish roots.
Catherine Wamulongo, CNA
Care Coordinator
Catherine Wamulongo, CNA - Care Coordinator
Known for her warm personality, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills, Catherine has consistently provided high-quality, person-centered care while building meaningful relationships with clients and their families. She is experienced in personal care assistance, companionship, mobility support, medication reminders, meal preparation, and promoting the overall well-being and independence of those she serves.
One of Catherine’s greatest strengths is her ability to adapt quickly to change and learn new skills. Throughout her career, she has embraced new challenges with confidence and enthusiasm, demonstrating flexibility in fast-paced and evolving healthcare environments. Her strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills have enabled her to successfully transition into a new role as a Care Coordinator, where she coordinates caregiver assignments, manages staffing needs, and helps ensure continuity of quality care for clients.
Catherine combines her frontline caregiving experience with a growing expertise in scheduling and operations, giving her a unique understanding of both client needs and caregiver support. She is committed to continuous learning, professional growth, and contributing to the success of the organizations she serves.
Dave Tasto on Why He Chose Home Care
Watch Dave share the personal experience that led him to start Assisting Hands Home Care — and why witnessing the impact of truly compassionate caregiving changed the direction of his life.
