THS TEAM
Operations
James Votanek
CEO/Founder
James Votanek is the co-owner and President of Transition Home Staging, a leading home staging company that has served property owners and real estate professionals since 2012.
With an eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional services, Transition Home Staging has long-been the go-to for real estate agents looking to make a great first impression when listing a home. From staging vacant homes, occupied residence, and multi-family dwellings, James and his team have the experience to help buyers envision an inspiring lifestyle and sellers make their transitions as smooth as possible.
With an emphasis on professionalism, client satisfaction, and staying ahead of market trends, Transition Home Staging is dedicated to helping clients get the most out of their home sale or purchase. In addition to their staging services, Transition Home Staging also offers consultations and design advice. Whether you’re just considering selling or you’re ready to move on, Transition Home Staging has the experience and resources to help you make it happen.
Terri Votanek
CEO/Founder
Since childhood, Terri Votanek has harbored a deep passion for home design and decor. In 2001, she obtained her RE Brokers License to fulfill this love, which exposed her to the world of Staging.
In 2012, Terri pivoted her career from selling real estate to staging it, and established Transition Home Staging. She is now an Accredited Staging Professional Master®, with an extensive portfolio that includes everything from small condos to a 24,000 square-foot estate home. Terri and her team specialize in staging both occupied and vacant homes in Chicago’s North and Northwest suburbs, and operate out of a spacious 5000 square-foot warehouse.
Terri has been recognized for her staging expertise with multiple IAHSP Industry Staging Awards and Industry Staging Excellence Awards. She has been featured in articles about home staging and virtual staging in the Chicago Sun Times and Make It Better.net website. Terri has also presented at Women’s Council of Realtor’s meetings about staging and sponsored many of their larger events.
Heather Robak
Operations Manager and Lead Project Designer
Heather had a passion for design and creativity from an early age, which led her to pursue a degree in Interior Design in college. However, Heather soon realized that her true calling was in the beauty industry, and she successfully owned and operated a beauty salon for over a decade.
With her innate creativity and love for design, Heather eventually transitioned into the field of home staging. In October of 2017, she earned her Accredited Staging Professional® (ASP) certification and became a member of both the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) and the Greater Chicago IAHSP Regional Chapter (GCIRC).
Heather takes pride in creating impactful first impressions that leave a lasting impact on potential buyers.
Design team
Lisa Cumbo
Staging Assistant
Lisa obtained a degree in Fashion Merchandising and has accumulated more than 15 years of experience in the furniture industry. She has played a crucial role in setting up showrooms for trade shows, as well as participating in the High Point North Carolina Furniture Markets and Gift Shows.
Through her extensive knowledge of current trends and display techniques, Lisa has been able to assist furniture retailers, gift shops, home furnishing stores, and interior designers. Her passion for the furniture industry has allowed her to utilize her creative talent to work with Transition Home Staging since 2015.
In addition, Lisa has earned her ASP® Certification and is a member of both the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) and the Greater Chicago IAHSP Regional Chapter.
Design Team
Stephanie Peters
Warehouse and Inventory Specialist
Stephanie joined Transition Home Staging in 2025 as a Warehouse Specialist, where she supports the team by ensuring staging inventory, logistics, and preparation run smoothly behind the scenes. With a professional background in both IT and finance, Stephanie brings a unique combination of analytical thinking, project management expertise, and strong organizational skills to her role.
Stephanie has a passion for home décor and furniture and enjoys being part of the creative process that transforms houses into welcoming, market-ready homes. She enjoys transforming spaces and takes pride in the rooms she has designed and decorated in her own home.
Outside of work, she loves yoga, traveling and exploring different natural environments, which often inspire her appreciation for design, color, and space.
Nancy Loke
Staging Assistant
Having obtained a Business degree, Nancy worked in the industry for a decade before retiring to care for her two sons. Later, upon completing her parenting duties, she explored various options and stumbled upon the Staging industry, which fascinated her. In July 2015, she enrolled in a course and earned her Accredited Staging Professional® (ASP) certification. She also joined the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) and the Greater Chicago IAHSP Regional Chapter (GCIRC).
Nancy loves to keep herself updated on design and the latest trends by scouring various sources. She utilizes her knowledge to craft appealing spaces for the customers of Transition Home Staging.
Rebecca Sheridan
Staging Assistant
After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Hospitality Business, Rebecca relocated to Chicago to pursue a career in private club management.
She began her career at the Chicago Yacht Club and later transitioned to The Standard Club of Chicago, a prestigious 5-star Platinum Club of America, where she worked as a catering manager for nearly ten years. During her time there, Rebecca planned events for a diverse range of clientele, including industry leaders, politicians, and celebrities, in the Chicagoland area. She demonstrated her expertise in event planning by paying attention to every detail, being creative with menu planning, and contributing to the overall aesthetic of the event. Her dedication to providing excellent customer service was unwavering.
Now, Rebecca has shifted her focus to home staging, inspired by her personal experience of selling her home and renovating a new one. She has always been interested in decorating and exploring various design trends and styles from the past. As a certified staging expert with CSP® Residential Staging Expert™ from the Home Staging Institute, Rebecca’s philosophy is to create warm and inviting living spaces that make potential buyers feel at home. She understands the importance of a well-staged home in achieving a successful sale and strives to achieve this for her clients.
Design team
Nardeen Joselios
Staging Assistant
Nardeen brings a unique blend of compassion, creativity, and strong organizational skills to home staging. Prior to transitioning into design, she worked in healthcare as a medical interpreter and quality assurance specialist, where she supported patients and ensured clear communication and high standards of service.
She also coordinated events for nonprofit organizations, gaining valuable experience in logistics, design, and creating meaningful environments. Her long-standing passion for home design led her to pursue additional coursework in real estate, short-term rentals, and property rehab.
Today, Nardeen brings thoughtful attention to detail and design intuition to every staging project, helping create spaces that highlight a home’s strengths and allow buyers to envision themselves living there.
Design Team
Gina Elstrom
Staging Assistant
Great stories take time to tell. We are currently finalizing the details of this team member’s journey with Transition.
Courtney Tyrell
Staging Assistant
Courtney Tyrrell is a home staging professional with a strong foundation in design, communication, and client-focused service. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 2003 with a degree in Communications, beginning her career in real estate marketing as an Advertising Coordinator at Baird & Warner. While she initially planned to pursue a career as a realtor, her path shifted as she dedicated 15 years to raising her four sons as a full-time mother.
During that time, Courtney’s natural passion for home design and décor continued to grow. She later joined a local home goods shop in Palatine, where her eye for style and approachable personality quickly made her a trusted resource for customers and friends seeking advice on decorating and renovations. This led her to co-found a small design business with another fellow mom, further developing her hands-on experience in creating beautiful, functional spaces.
Encouraged by a friend to explore home staging, Courtney was introduced to Transition Home Staging—where she found the perfect blend of her skills and passion. She has since developed a deep appreciation for the impact staging has on a home’s market performance, helping properties sell faster and for maximum value.
Courtney is excited to continue growing her career with Transition Home Staging, bringing creativity, warmth, and a results-driven approach to every home she transforms.
