Stevie Jarrell^Systems Administrator
After graduating from University of Colorado, Stevie began her career with Aspen Hope Center as an intern. She started by answering suicidal phone calls but quickly began filling in to help with finances, client intakes, fundraiser websites, technology support and much more. She went on to change the Hope Center at its electronic core by building out the program for nonprofit development, organizing thousands of donors and creating a system that has lasted long after her moving on to other aspects of the agency. Stevie has overseen expansions to different counties and has served as a key point person for the agency, always working around the clock to ensure the Hope Center's technology is up and running for the 24/7 staff.
Stevie's biggest achievement was found when she adapted a platform to the ever-changing needs of crisis by making information searchable and configurable, and providing the community with statistics that demonstrate the importance of this work in the mountain valleys. To help achieve these challenging tasks, Stevie attended the University of Denver to study software engineering, never leaving the Hope Center.
Having a personal interest in suicide after her stepdad passed away, Stevie has devoted nearly a decade to trying to make life a little easier for the crisis clinicians who work so hard to support others in our community. As the Hope Center continues to grow, Stevie's biggest dream is to further customize programs to fill the gaps that desperately need to be filled.
Shannon Gerber^Human Resources Manager
Shannon has worked in nonprofit administration for the past 17 years, most recently with Hope Pregnancy Care Center in St George, Utah. Graduating from the University of Arizona in 1997, with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree in Spanish, Art History, and Chemistry, Shannon went on to certify as a high school chemistry teacher. With a temporary move to New York in 2001, she put teaching on hold and became program coordinator for Everybody Wins, a nonprofit literacy program in New York City schools. It was there that nonprofit work captured her heart and she’s been involved in supporting the efforts of grassroots organizations ever since. Shannon appreciates the meaningful and impactful work of Aspen Hope Center and counts it a privilege to be part of the team. When not working, you’ll find Shannon outside spending time with her husband and two kids exploring the mountains and rivers around our beautiful valley.
Kiley Erlandson^Administrative Operations Coordinator
Kiley's love for nonprofit work started in college where she studied nonprofit management and Spanish at Indiana University in Bloomington. After college, she returned home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to work for Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin (RMHC). In 2020, she decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of living near the mountains and moved to Denver. There, she worked in volunteer management roles for Goodwill of Colorado and RMHC Denver. After a few years in Denver, Kiley moved to Rifle for her partner's job placement and she spent a year pursuing other work interests including retail, dog grooming and starting a pet care business. Kiley is excited to get back into the nonprofit field with Aspen Hope Center. When she is not working, you can find her outside: running, hiking, skiing or walking her German Shepherd, Theo.
Skylar Severson, LCSW^Quality Assurance and Risk Manager
Skylar’s commitment to service began early through volunteering in hospitals, retirement homes, and schools, shaping her deep dedication to community care. She went on to earn her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver, concentrating in mental health and substance use counseling, where a course in suicidology sparked her lasting interest in prevention and intervention. Her passion for crisis work continued to grow through supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and serving on the triage team for the Denver District Attorney’s Family Violence Unit. These experiences led Skylar to Aspen Hope Center, where she began as a mobile crisis clinician and clinical social worker and now serves as the quality assurance and risk manager.
Outside of work, Skylar enjoys staying active, cooking, reading, traveling, and is currently pursuing her MBA.
Angie Vinnola^Controller
Angie attended Metro State College in Denver, Colorado. With 22 years in finance, office management and sales, she specializes in and appreciates diversity in her job. She works well under pressure and is very committed to completing projects in a timely manner. Angie thoroughly enjoys working with nonprofit organizations.
Angie and her husband Chris are Colorado natives, and live in Rifle. They have two sons and one daughter. They enjoy supporting their children’s dreams of sports, dance and school projects. Their oldest son is joining the Navy after graduation and they are proud and excited for this opportunity for him to serve our country and travel. They love camping, hunting, fishing and taking their jeep off-road, especially in Moab.
MJ Horn, LAC, LCSW^Development and Outreach Coordinator
MJ is from Athens, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. In 2021, MJ moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to begin her Master of Social Work at the University of Denver’s Glenwood Springs program, and began working in the substance use field at a community mental health center. MJ’s experiences underscored the critical importance of prevention, inspiring her to transition into a role where she can have a proactive impact on young lives. As a strengths-based therapist, MJ aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where clients can express themselves freely, promoting emotional well-being and resilience through tailored therapeutic interventions. Having previously served as a school-based clinician, she is thrilled to now be supporting Aspen Hope Center in the role of development and outreach coordinator.
Laura, LPC^Crisis Clinician/Therapist
Laura moved to the Roaring Fork Valley from Austin, Texas with knowledge and experience in mental health crises. Laura attended Penn State University (We Are…!) for her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Texas A&M University for her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Laura is a retired military spouse with a deep understanding and respect of our armed services, veterans and their families. Laura is passionate about trauma-informed care and is mindful of the challenges those who have experienced trauma face.
Having served as a clinical advocate and therapist for high-risk adults and adolescents with pervasive mental health and substance use issues, Laura brings experience working in crisis management. She is skilled in the treatment of trauma, borderline, schizoaffective, Depression, Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder. She has experience in treatment planning, crisis and management, diagnostic evaluations, group therapy, individual therapy, case management and client advocacy. She is passionated about supporting individuals through crisis response and therapy.
Laura’s self-care regimen includes spending time with her family, hiking, road trips, exploring new places and adventures, listening to music and podcasts, cooking and storytelling.
Click here to learn more about Laura.
Brandon Jones, LCSW^Basalt Middle School Clinician
Brandon holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves as a school-based clinician at Basalt Middle School. He's called the Roaring Fork Valley home for seven years. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, he moved to Longmont, Colorado at the age of nine. Prior to joining the Hope Center, Brandon spent a decade working in environmental education, youth leadership, and conservation. In addition to his MSW, he holds degrees in Outdoor Education from Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs and Sociology and Community Leadership at the University of Colorado. He has dedicated his career to supporting youth and adults as they connect to the natural world, to their communities, and to themselves.
Transitioning to the field of social work has allowed Brandon to have deeper relationships with students and their families. He finds great importance in working with clients to address many of the same issues that were revealed over his years as an educator. At Basalt Middle School, Brandon will offer bilingual (English/Spanish) individual and group therapy for students, as well as education on various mental health topics. Brandon will encourage students to grow confidently into their unique identities with grace and self-compassion.
While not at school, Brandon can be found listening to community radio, foraging for wild foods and crafting (occasionally delicious) meals, and having as much fun as possible with friends and family.
Bridget Derkash, LPC, LAC, Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider^School Services Director
Bridget earned a Master of Arts degree in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver in 2013 and a BA in Sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2008. Bridget has therapeutic experience working with youth and families in the school settings at Aurora Central High School, Place Bridge Academy, Carbondale Community School and Glenwood Springs Elementary School. In addition to her work in schools, Bridget has worked with families and children at The Kempe Center for the Treatment and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect as an Instructor of Pediatrics, Program Manager and SafeCare Home Visitor, Coach, Trainer. Locally, Bridget has provided mental health services as the Lead Forensic Interviewer and Outreach Coordinator at River Bridge Regional Center and as the Clinical Supervisor of the Youth Recovery Center. Her therapeutic approach has a holistic framework and cognitive behavioral foundation. Bridget has published articles on Adverse Childhood Experiences, implementation of home-visiting programs and maritime piracy. Bridget grew up in Glenwood Springs and has three children. Her favorite things to do are travel, ski, mountain bike and spend time with her family.
Caitlin Evans, R-DMT, LPCC ^Carbondale Community School Clinician
Caitlin is originally from northern Utah but fell in love with western Colorado the moment she first arrived in the mountains. She found her way home to the Roaring Fork Valley in 2021 where she quickly became involved in the community as a dancer and as an intern at a therapeutic ranch in Carbondale. Caitlin earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a focus in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University. She believes our bodies and movements have a lot to tell us and she’s looking forward to helping folks fortify the relationships between their mind, body, feelings, art, and spirit. Caitlin will work with her students to uncover the knowledge, wisdom and stories their minds and bodies have to share about their past, present and future.
Cate Meeder, LCSW^Glenwood Springs High School Clinician & PRN Crisis Clinician
Cate grew up in northern Wisconsin and attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with concentrations in Education and Race and Ethnic Studies. During college, she spent summers working with Summer Advantage in the Roaring Fork Valley and fell in love with the community. After college, she worked with middle school ELL students through AmeriCorps, with adolescents doing adventure therapy, and with young adults in residential substance use treatment programs.
Cate returned to the valley and completed her Master’s in Social Work through the University of Denver’s Western Colorado program. She feels passionate about building relationships, empowering youth and families, and supporting holistic wellness for all. In her work with students, she utilizes DBT, CBT, ACT, IFS, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solutions-Focused Therapy. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and recreating outside with her dog, Percy.
Erin Quinn, LCSW^School Program Supervisor/Two Rivers Community School Clinician
Erin grew up in Boulder, Colorado and attended Colorado State University for both her undergraduate and Masters Degrees in Social Work. Erin obtained her LCSW in 2020, and has had the unique privilege of gaining experience in various settings such as community mental health, residential treatment and nonprofit work along the Front Range corridor and Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Erin has found her niche in school-based mental health services and utilizes a spectrum of clinical training to focus on the prevention of mental health challenges and suicide in young people and their families. You might see Erin riding her mountain bike around town or playing with her husky, Grizzly. Don't hesitate to say “hi!”
Gabby Touchette, LCSW, LAC^School Program Supervisor/Yampah Mountain High School Clinician & PRN Crisis Clinician
Gabby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Addictions Counselor who has been working in community mental health for over 5 years. She attended the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and graduated with a master’s degree in social work in 2017. Additionally, she has a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and psychology from Indiana University. Gabby is passionate about improving the criminal and juvenile justice systems and has experience treating both adults and adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Her approach to therapy is holistic, strengths-based and person-centered and she is trained in a variety of treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and EMDR. She is most inspired by seeing her clients’ resilience and capacity for growth.
Heather Johnson, LCSW^Aspen Middle School Clinician
Heather was born and raised in Nebraska but has called Aspen home for the past eight years. She began her journey in social work by recognizing a need for more supports for youth and families in the school system. She received her PreK-12 School Social Worker Certificate from Colorado State University in 2020. From this experience, she knew that social work was her calling and began her Master’s degree. She graduated the University of Denver with her Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on clinical practice.
Heather has a passion and focus for working with youth and families. She enjoys providing individual and family therapy for youth and their caregivers and helping them navigate the stressors in their lives. Heather’s approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and applied through a biopsychosocial lens. Her training includes CBT, TF-CBT, CAMS, and she is trained in integrated behavioral health. Working as a clinical social worker in a community mental health center also helped her understand the need for wraparound care and community support for families. This experience ignited her desire to also look at systems level influences on families and the best ways in which to support the families in our community.
In Heather’s free time she enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and spending time with her husband.
Jillian, MA, LPCC^Crisis Clinician
Jillian was born and raised in Canyon, Texas. She attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science and a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Counseling. Jillian has experience working with individuals from all walks of life. She grew up playing sports and has a love for the outdoors. She enjoys hiking, snowboarding, water sports, swimming, and all the activities associated with water. She is adventurous and always open to trying new and exciting things. If she is not working, you will find her outdoors. Jillian recently relocated to Colorado with her two Australian shepherds. She is passionate about mental health and works as a crisis clinician with the Garfield County team.
Jacob, LPC^PRN Crisis Clinician
Jacob grew up in southeast Virginia and chose his first career path in architecture and design. Sitting behind a computer all day didn't sound that exciting so he chose to focus on the human side of things, how we interact and the relationships we build with the world and systems around us. For his undergraduate degree, he went to Christopher Newport University and majored in childhood psychology, minoring in religious studies.
After traveling for some time, Jacob then enrolled at Prescott College for his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Adventure Based Therapy. Jacob has been in the crisis field since 2014 and wants to continue to support people in finding adaptive and systemic ways to help them overcome crisis situations. He also really likes coffee and exploring outside.
Jim Laing^Board Member
Originally from Minnesota, Jim moved to the Roaring Fork Valley in 1995. On a family ski trip to Aspen and Snowmass at the age of 10, he immediately knew where and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Jim has worked for Aspen Skiing Company for the past 20 years with responsibilities ranging from Human Resources to overseeing Retail Operations. Jim is currently VP and Chief Human Resources Officer, overseeing all employee related functions for Aspen Skiing Company.
Prior to moving to Aspen, Jim worked at Pillsbury and Rollerblade, both headquartered in Minnesota. He also attended undergraduate and graduate school at the University of Minnesota. Jim is very active in our local community, serving on several boards including Roaring Fork Leadership and Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club. He is an avid alpine and telemark skier, snowboarder and biker.
Jim and his wife Laurie have two children, William and Taylor, who both love skiing. Jim’s passion is sharing every aspect of our amazing mountain lifestyle with his family.