Managers
John Sullivan
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Kathy McCoy, BA
Mackenzie Brannon, LPT
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.
Supervisors
Spencer Hoffman, MA, LPC-S
Sarah Suazo, BA
Audrey Gill
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.
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.
Carolyn Pierce
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.
Christina Burrows
Misty Ibarra
Becky Helgesen
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.
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.
Emily Kallina, BA
Lori Summers, BA
Lori (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2011, serving as the Community Support Services Youth Mentoring Program Supervisor in Grand Junction since 2018. Lori holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. With over 30 years of experience working with children and youth, including directing a daycare and preschool, serving as a substitute teacher, working at Hilltop Youth Services, and managing Colorado Bright Beginnings at Gunnison/Hinsdale County. She also served as the office manager for the 7th Judicial District Attorneys’ Office in Gunnison and as the coalition leader for Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevention. Lori began working for Ariel as a Case Manager in the Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program, and she was later promoted to her current position. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, raising animals, gardening, painting, playing music, and taking annual mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Her priorities in life are centered around God, family, and friends.
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.
Michele Fletcher
Orion Chamberlain
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.
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.
