Rebecca Hobart, LCSW
Shirley Lee, MSW
Hannah Shilling-Thomas, MSW
Hannah (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2008, serving as the Associate Director of Child & Family Support Services for the Western Slope since 2023, and currently oversees the Foster Care Program, Parenting Time Program and Community Support Services Program. She holds a Bachelor of Art (BA) in Business Administration and Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Denver. Hannah started at Ariel as a Parenting Time Coach and built a passion for working with birth parents, children, foster families and for cultivating collaboration and relationships. In her free time, Hannah enjoys being with her family, cooking, crafting, advocating for others, and coaching Baseball.
Shannon Nelson, MBA
Shannon (she/her) began serving as Chief Financial Officer at Ariel in 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Colorado Mesa University and later completed her Master’s of Business degree at Colorado State University. With over 20 years in increasingly complex accounting positions, Shannon has built a career in both public and private practices, demonstrating strong leadership and dedication. In her free time, Shannon enjoys hiking, landscaping, and spending quality time with her family.
Lisa Whalin, LPC
Ashleah Yates, LPC
Ashleah (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2013, serving as the Associate Director of Residential Services on the Western Slope since 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History from Colorado Mesa University, a Master of Arts (MA) in Community Mental Health from Adams State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado. Ashleah’s first role with Ariel was as a therapist where she developed a passion for working with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). She is a strong supporter of trauma-informed care practices and spearheaded bringing this initiative to Adult Services. In her free time, Ashleah enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Stephenie Stephenson, BA
Stephenie (she/her) has been with Ariel since 2004 and has served as our Deputy Director on the Western Slope since 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University). Stephenie became committed to adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) after a volunteer experience at the Special Olympics in the 1990s. She sees the impact this group had on enhancing her life as a gift and has since made it her mission to enhance their lives, too. Stephenie has been instrumental in developing innovative programming at Ariel that meets, and often exceeds, the needs of adults with I/DD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors.
