The people running our programs every day
Our managers and supervisors run the programs people count on every day, from the day program, work services, and Perdita’s Coffee Shop to therapeutic foster care, family time, and our group center. Many came up through direct support and case management roles here before leading teams of their own. Others keep our offices, finances, technology, and people operations running, so the work with Members, children, and families can happen in every region we serve.
Managers
John Sullivan
Reyna Vigil
Reyna (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2009, serving as the Office Manager for the Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge offices since 2010. Reyna has a wealth of experience in her field. She was a clothing store manager for seven years and worked for The Resource Exchange (TRE), which is a Community Centered Board (CCB), for eight years before coming to Ariel. Her experience there gave her a solid foundation working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and with office management. In her free time, Reyna enjoys staying fit through various activities such as hiking, yoga, Pilates and strength-training, reading, crafting, learning new things, and traveling.
Mackenzie Brannon, LPT
Michelle Powner, MSW
Michelle (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2008, serving as the Program Manager since 2019, where she oversees the Foster Care and Adult Services Case Management teams for our Wheat Ridge office. Michelle holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Louisiana State University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Metropolitan State University. Her skills and experience comes from her service industry experience, being a Peace Corp volunteer and traveling around Europe. Michelle’s career has grown at Ariel as she has held positions here as a Case Manager, Coordinator, Supervisor and now as the Regional Manager. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and relaxing with puzzles.
Jesse Padilla-Goryl, MA, BCBA
Jesse has been with Ariel since 2019, serving as the Behavioral Services Program Manager on the Western Slope since 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Special Education and Family Studies from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree (MA) in Special Education, with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) emphasis from the University of Northern Colorado. Jesse’s skills and experience come from working with children with special needs as a teacher, a position he held for over six years prior to joining our team. Jesse’s professional focus is on providing a person-centered and trauma-informed behavioral approach. In his free time, Jesse enjoys outdoor activities such as rafting, kayaking, biking, and SAR (Search and Rescue).
Ricia Sawtelle Golder, MA
Ricia (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2026, serving as our Adult Services Program Manager for our Colorado Springs and Pueblo offices since her hiring. Ricia holds an undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Maine and a Master of Psychology from Purdue University. Her skills and experience come from working in Special Education and the Social Services field for the past 20 years. Her goal at Ariel is to continue to foster a culture where all individuals feel welcomed and valued. In her free time, she enjoys painting and traveling.
Sarah Knight
Sarah (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2012, serving as the Vocational Program Manager since 2024. Sarah has over 30 years of experience working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Her personal investment in creating a community where everyone feels included and valued is rooted in her experience as a mother of an adult child with I/DD. At Ariel, she is responsible for creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and for supporting members in developing connections and relationships within our community. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her four children and three grandchildren, as well as camping and fishing.
Debra Spence, BGS
Deb (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2020, serving as an Adult Residential Program Manager on the Western Slope since 2025. Deb holds a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) with an emphasis in Psychology and Education from the University of Indiana. Deb gained most of her expertise and experience conducting investigations for cases involving children, adolescents, and adults in the State of Kentucky, Cabinet for Health, and Family Services (CHFS). Deb also provided Case Management for children with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) through a mental health organization in Kentucky. She was introduced to the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver in Wyoming, where she worked as a case manager, provider, and patient support specialist for individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), prior to joining Ariel. In her free time, Deb enjoys gardening, music, and spending time with her family.
Supervisors
Spencer Hoffman, MA, LPC-S
Brittany Lauer
Brittany (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2016, serving as the Behavior Program Supervisor since 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Utah and a Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Arizona State University. Brittany started at Ariel in 2016 as an administrative assistant and fell in love with the world of Human Services. While completing her bachelor’s in social work, she spent her internship in both the counseling and ABA departments within Ariel. Now, as a BCBA at Ariel, she is able to blend both her love for social work and behavior analysis to improve the lives of those we serve with individualized services and trauma-informed support. In her free time, Brittany enjoys spending time with friends & family, camping, reading, kayaking, paddleboarding, and gaming.
Brandon Weaver
Brandon has been with Ariel since 2022, serving as the Adult Services Agency (ASA) Case Manager Supervisor for the Wheat Ridge office since 2023. Brandon has served in the healthcare industry on the Front Range since 2017. His professional experience includes working with the memory impaired, medically fragile, and quadriplegic individuals requiring high intensity care, which helped him realize his passion for serving adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and wanted to make a difference for the whole community. This led him to Ariel, where he started as a case manager and eventually was promoted to supervisor. In his free time, Brandon enjoys listening and producing various types of music, spending time in the mountains, cycling, kayaking, and enjoying nature with his family.
Sarah Suazo, BA
Jane Harrison
Jane has been with Ariel since 2020 and has served as the Sprite House Supervisor since 2026. Jane began her career at Ariel as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), quickly transitioned into a Lead role, and achieved her goal of becoming a Supervisor through her passion and dedication to supporting children and families. Throughout her time at Ariel, she has completed numerous professional development trainings, including CPR, First Aid, CPI, QMAP, BSIT, and Informed Supervision. She also has a Food Handler certification, among many others. Prior to joining Ariel, Jane worked as a Site Leader for after-school programs and summer camps in California. After moving to Colorado, she was looking for an opportunity to return to working with children and found her dream job at Sprite House. Jane credits Ariel’s commitment to training and employee growth for helping her succeed and advance within the organization. In her free time, Jane enjoys spending time with her nephew, traveling to Disneyland, attending concerts with her mom, and watching Christmas movies year-round with her sister.
Michele Fletcher
Audrey Gill
Daniela Martinez
Daniela (She/Her/Ella) has been with Ariel since 2024 and has been serving as the 3-Bed PCA Program Supervisor since 2026. Daniela has grown with Ariel through hands-on experience and strong leadership development, beginning her career with us as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), advancing to a Lead position, and now serving as a Supervisor. Throughout her time at Ariel, she has built meaningful connections with both members and staff, gaining a deep understanding of the support needed to create a positive, successful environment. Daniela is committed to providing quality care rooted in respect, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a difference. She is passionate about helping others grow and succeed while ensuring that every member receives the care and support they deserve. In her free time, Daniela enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, as well as being outdoors through activities like fly fishing and exploring nature.
Orion Chamberlain
Krista Watson, BA
Krista (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2022, serving as one of the Adult Services Case Manager Supervisors since 2025. Krista holds a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a Level One Certification for Conducting Serious Investigations. Krista has previously served as an Adult Services Case Manager at Ariel for three years, where she demonstrated her commitment and passion working with individuals with I/DD. Before her tenure at Ariel, Krista worked as a case manager for The House and Laurel House for a combined six years. She began her career as a youth advocate, supporting person-centered goals and residential transitions. Her dedication and expertise led to her promotion, where she supervised youth advocates and Colorado Mesa University interns, fostering professional growth, self-efficacy, quality assurance, and adherence to core missions and values. Krista’s goal at Ariel is to support Ariel case managers in practicing the Ariel difference by providing excellent care and customer service to members and providers while fostering the professional growth and wellness of case managers. In her free time, Krista enjoys painting, listening to podcasts or music, and baking.
Becky Helgesen
Rosie Hilger
Rosie (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2022, serving as the Western Slope Independent PCA Program Supervisor since 2025. Starting as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for the Independent PCA program, she advanced to Lead DSP before her current role. Before Ariel, Rosie worked in several direct care settings, which gave her valuable experience and skills an empathetic approach to supporting members through compassion and understanding. Her work is driven by a commitment to helping individuals in the Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) community live their most independent and fulfilling lives. Outside of work, Rosie enjoys gardening in the summer, canning her harvest in the fall, and cozying up with video games and movies during the winter months.
Stacie Herlyn, BS
Stacie (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2023, working as the Administrative Supervisor in the Colorado Springs office and the Program Trainer for the Front Range since 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Health Science. Stacie is certified as a CPR and First Aid Instructor through the Health and Safety Institute and as a Safety Care instructor by Quality Behavioral Solutions. Prior to joining Ariel, Stacie handled the management of fitness centers, which led her to become the director of Personal Training at a women’s gym. Additionally, she operated her own cleaning business, volunteered as the director of a Junior Olympic volleyball program for four years, and worked in sales. In her free time, Stacie takes pleasure in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, paddleboarding, and enjoying the natural beauty surrounding Colorado.
Robyn Hoyt
Robyn Hoyt (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2025, serving as the Vocational Supervisor since her hiring. She oversees work services and provides job coaching for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With over nine years of experience in behavioral health and direct care, Robyn brings a compassionate, hands-on approach to empowering individuals toward independence and meaningful employment. Before joining Ariel, Robyn served as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician (LPT) at the Grand Junction Regional Center for six years and worked in juvenile corrections at the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center for three years. Her goal at Ariel is to continue supporting vulnerable populations and fostering personal growth. Outside of work, Robyn enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, attending concerts, traveling, and taking part in outdoor activities that keep her grounded and energized.
Eric Ernst, MSN, BSN, RN
Eric has been with Ariel since 2025, serving as the Medical Coordinator Supervisor. Eric holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington, as well as an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing from Colorado Northwestern Community College. He is a licensed Registered Nurse in Colorado and Minnesota and is certified as a BLS Provider by the American Heart Association. Eric brings a wealth of clinical and supervisory experience to Ariel, having previously coordinated outpatient clinics at Rocky Mountain PACE, where he provided clinical and administrative oversight, training for nurses and staff, and led infection control initiatives. His background includes case management, triage, and multidisciplinary team leadership in both civilian and military healthcare settings. Eric’s expertise spans behavioral health, neurology, memory care, and substance addiction treatment, with a strong focus on quality assurance, protocol development, and staff training. Prior to his nursing career, Eric spent nearly two decades in automotive parts management, where he honed his skills in operations, supervision, and budgetary planning. Eric’s professional focus is on providing person-centered, trauma-informed medical coordination and fostering a collaborative, safe environment for both staff and patients.
Carolyn Pierce
Amy McGregor
Amy (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2018, serving as the Western Slope Day Program Supervisor since 2024. Starting as a Direct Support Professional, she then became a Vocational Support Specialist for almost six years before her current role. Amy holds various certifications, including CPR/First Aid, CPI, Informed Supervision, Trauma-Informed Care, and AMI Early Childhood Accreditation. Before Ariel, Amy worked in various offices at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and was part of the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, where she discovered her passion for helping people and public service. She later moved to Grand Junction and worked at Mesa Montessori as a lead toddler teacher. Her love for teaching and watching children grow led her to open her own childcare business after the Montessori School closed, which she managed for 13 years. Amy is passionate about helping others and aims to enhance the day program at Ariel by increasing opportunities, providing engaging activities for members, and helping Ariel maintain its status as the best. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, renovating her home, and spending time with her family.
Peggy Espinoza, BA
Peggy has been with Ariel since 2014, serving as People Operations Supervisor since 2026. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Human Resources (HR) from Colorado Mesa University (CMU) and is credentialed with the SHRM-CP and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certifications. Her professional background includes HR experience at a national hotel chain’s call center, expertise in the hospitality industry, and entrepreneurial leadership as the owner of her own business. Peggy’s career progression at Ariel encompasses roles such as HR Specialist, HR Generalist, and Lead People Operations Generalist. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, enjoying outdoor activities, and engaging in crafting.
