Leadership & Caregivers
Meet the Team
Jerry Wernau
Co-Founder
Jerry Wernau is the co-founder and owner of Christy’s Cove, alongside his wife, Christy. He brings decades of leadership experience focused on structure, accountability, and people centered care. Jerry has personally been responsible for the care of aging family members, giving him firsthand understanding of how difficult and emotional these decisions are for families. That experience shaped the vision behind Christy’s Cove. He values dignity, consistency, and trust in daily care. Families feel comfort knowing he remains actively involved, attentive to details, and deeply committed to creating a safe and supportive home for their loved ones.
Christy Napolitano-Wernau
Founder and owner of Christy’s Cove Boutique Senior Living.
Her purpose comes from firsthand experience placing family members in group homes and witnessing gaps in consistency, accountability, and dignity of care. Those experiences led her to purchase Christy’s Cove with a clear mission to elevate daily care and protect long term quality. She brings decades of senior leadership experience with a proven record of building strong teams, setting clear standards, and maintaining high performers. Her leadership style focuses on structure, follow through, and advocacy for residents and families. Clinical perspective remains central through close collaboration with Riza and her Team.
Christy holds academic training in sociology and is nearing completion of her Bachelor of Social Work. Her studies strengthen a person centered approach, deepen understanding of aging, family systems, and ethical care, and reinforce evidence based decision making. She remains actively involved in daily operations to ensure compassionate care, professional accountability, and a safe, respectful home for every resident.
Riza Margarett Varela
Manager
Riza Margarett Varela Healthcare Professional | Founder & Manager, Assisted Living Home | Senior Care Advocate Riza Margarett Varela is a dedicated healthcare professional and the Founder and Manager of an Assisted Living Home in Arizona, committed to providing safe, high-quality, and compassionate care to seniors. With hands-on leadership and a strong understanding of residents’ physical, emotional, and social needs, she ensures that care is delivered with dignity, respect, and consistency. Riza oversees daily operations, staff coordination, policy implementation, and resident care planning while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Her leadership style is rooted in empathy, accountability, and person-centered care, creating a supportive and home-like environment for residents and peace of mind for their families. Driven by a genuine passion for caregiving, Riza believes that every resident deserves to feel valued, heard, and cared for as family. She leads with compassion, patience, and integrity—qualities that shape both her care philosophy and the culture of her assisted living home. Through her work, Riza continues to advocate for quality senior care, focusing on safety, compassion, and meaningful daily living for every resident she serves.
Lannie Seibold
Manager
Originally from the Philippines, I spent my formative years growing up in the island nation of Palau. This unique background has shaped my perspective and approach to life, providing me with a diverse cultural foundation that informs my work and interactions in the assisted living community. As an ALH Operations Manager, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep passion for providing quality care to seniors. With a solid background in healthcare administration, I have managed daily operations, led dedicated teams, and ensured compliance with state and federal regulations. My focus is on creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for residents while maintaining high standards of service for their families and staff members. Through effective budgeting, staff training, and policy implementation, I strive to enhance the well-being and satisfaction of everyone in the community. My commitment to excellence and compassionate leadership drives the ongoing success and reputation of the assisted living home I manage. Looking ahead, I am committed to advancing the standards of assisted living through continuous improvement and innovation. My goal is to foster environments where seniors thrive physically, emotionally, and socially. I seek to inspire future leaders in the industry and to advocate for senior rights and quality care at every opportunity. My career as an ALH Operations Manager is more than a job—it is a calling. Through dedication, leadership, and compassion, I strive each day to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve. Lannie Seibold-Christy’s Cove, OM
Ariella Goodwin
BSN, RN
Ariella Goodwin, BSN, RN, brings strong clinical judgment and steady compassion to Christy’s Cove. She began her healthcare path as a patient care technician at Boswell Hospital, where she developed hands on experience supporting daily needs, mobility, and comfort for older adults. She advanced her training through an internship in a Level One trauma center at Banner Thunderbird, gaining exposure to complex medical conditions and fast paced decision making. She now serves as an emergency room nurse at Mayo Clinic while also providing clinical oversight and support at Christy’s Cove.
Her approach to care is grounded in real life experience. From a young age, she played an active role in caring for her great grandparents. She understands the emotional weight families carry when placing a loved one and the importance of trust, communication, and consistency.
Ariella focuses on preserving dignity, promoting safety, and recognizing subtle changes in condition that impact aging adults. She supports care planning, guides staff, and remains present as a clinical resource for both residents and families. Families value her calm presence, clear communication, and genuine connection. She provides reassurance during uncertain moments and ensures each resident receives thoughtful, attentive care.
Cynthia Corral Contreras
BSN, RN
Cynthia Corral Contreras, BSN, RN is a bilingual Registered Nurse with over 10 years of experience in healthcare, including wound care, acute care, and leadership roles as a Charge Nurse and Unit-Based Council Chair. She has also volunteered with Operation Walk Colombia medical mission trip in 2024 and 2025, providing surgical and post-operative care to underserved communities. Cynthia is passionate about delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and supporting older adults with dignity, comfort, and respect. She believes in building meaningful relationships with residents and families while providing safe, evidence-based nursing care. Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys spending quality time with her son, staying active through exercise and outdoor activities, and growing in her faith through her church community. Her faith guides her values of service, kindness, and integrity, which she brings into her daily work as a nurse.