Team Members

Hodan Ahmed

Independent Living Specialist/Intern & Volunteer Coordinator

Hodan has three years of experience in the nonprofit sector supporting youth, and two years teaching English to immigrant populations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from UNC. She coordinates interns and volunteers with Connections, along with leading Connections’ anxiety support group.

Carol Cochrane

Executive Assistant

Carol earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a CPA and CMA. The Regis University graduate has more than 30 years of experience in finance, human resources, and accounting. Carol provides administrative support to the Connections leadership team.

David Dalgarn

Independent Living Specialist

David earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts and a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in sociology. David is a graduate of Aims Community College and UNC, majoring in human services. David co-facilitates Connections’ chronic pain/illness peer support group and is training to become a Certified Benefits Counselor.

Joshua Fulenwider

Director of Independent Living Services

Joshua is an entrepreneur and author who is devoted to his wife and daughter. At age 24, after graduating from college with a degree in Business Management, he began investing in real estate. Investing in real estate led him to eventually becoming a commercial loan officer and to helping businesses of all sizes. He and his wife love traveling, volunteering, and getting muddy in obstacle course races.

Pamela Fuller

Independent Living Specialist

Pamela graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s in social work. Pamela has worked in social services, public assistance, employment consulting, youth transition, and disabilities in Wyoming and Colorado. A member of the Connections team for greater than two decades, she works with people of all ages and disabilities, with a focus in specializing in developing resources and providing assistance for older adults. She coordinates several peer support groups, and inspires others through positive changes.

Peggy Garcia

Transition Coordinator/ Connect with Friends Program Specialist

As Transition Coordinator, Peggy supports seniors and people with disabilities as they transition from nursing facilities to living independently. As the Connect with Friends Program Specialist, she directs this important program. Peggy loves helping people and has volunteered for over two decades in her home school district. Peggy holds a bachelor’s degree in system management from Colorado State University.

Maria Gonzales

Independent Living Specialist

Maria earned a bachelor’s degree in human services and was a participant in University of Northern Colorado’s Stryker Institute for Leadership and Development. She facilitates Connections’ self-advocacy peer support group. Maria was previously employed by the Department of Human Services for both Weld and Adams counties and served in the Wound Care Services department at Northern Colorado Medical Center.

Nancy Kostal

Housing Associate

Nancy is majoring in psychology at Aims Community College in Greeley. As a Housing Associate with Connections, she helps with issuing State of Colorado housing vouchers and with the maintenance of the Housing Choice Voucher Program for the Colorado Division of Housing. A past volunteer at the Weld County Food Bank, she loves helping people.

Karen McCullah

Interpreter Coordinator

Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in English and has worked as an ASL interpreter for 30 years. She schedules interpreters and serves as an interpreter herself in a variety of settings, including on-site and virtual/remote. Karen specializes in legal and medical interpreting.

Rochelle Miller

Executive Director

Rochelle is a 16-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, having held leadership positions with the Douglas County Community Foundation, High Plains Library District, Weld Community Foundation, Right to Read, and Larimer Humane Society. She attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and CSU, and holds advanced certificates in project management and nonprofit administration.

Tom Muniz

Independent Living Specialist

Tom has spent much of the last two decades serving persons with disabilities. He is a past Connections team member, serving as the Deaf Independent Living Specialist and Interpreter Coordinator. He also has worked with Denver’s Workforce System, ensuring that Centers served people with disabilities and at-risk and disadvantaged populations. He also served five years for the Governor’s Commission on Community Service, and 11 years for the Colorado Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities.

Michelle Patterson

Independent Living Specialist

Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she also worked at the Student Disability Center. She has several years’ experience working with disability resources at both local and state government levels. Born Deaf, Michelle is fluent in American Sign Language and a passionate advocate for the Deaf Community. She spends time volunteering locally with the Weld County Project Connect, Greeley Meals on Wheels, and the Marion Downs Hearing Center. Michelle leads the Women with Disabilities Support Group at Connections.

Rick Rhinehart

Director of Communications

Rick holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He oversees Connections’ website, technology programs, and communications. Rick previously served as Director of Communications for a national nonprofit sports organization that creates programs for adaptive and able-bodied athletes. He has extensive experience in communications and marketing with numerous companies.

Teresa Roberts

Independent Living Specialist

Teresa has a master’s degree in community counseling from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. In her role at Connections, she assists and advises consumers who live in northeastern Colorado.

Dianna Shmidl

Housing Coordinator

Dianna holds an associate’s degree in computer information systems and a bachelor’s degree in social work. Dianna manages Connections’ state and federal Section 8 housing voucher programs, oversees new housing admissions, and conducts annual quality inspections of housing units.

Stephanie Shmidl-Munoz

Reception/Social Media Coordinator

Stephanie is a Thompson Valley High School graduate and joined Connections with three years of customer service experience. She is the primary team member to greet visitors by phone and in person. She is committed to providing an exceptional level of hospitality. Stephanie also coordinates social media for Connections.

Jessica Standiferd

IL Community Coordinator

Jessica is a “Jill of all trades” who has served Connections in numerous capacities. As Connections’ Community Coordinator, she manages many projects for the organization. She also represents Connections at public functions in northeastern Colorado communities.

Amber Svitak

Independent Living Specialist/Employment Specialist

Amber holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from University of Northern Colorado. She facilitates Connections’ women with disabilities group, and the low vision support group. Amber has training in employment benefits specific to serving people with disabilities.

Brad Taylor

Director of Transitions Director of Advocacy

Brad supports people with disabilities as they transition from living in nursing facilities to living independently. He holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from University of Northern Colorado. Brad has been a long-time leader in Colorado in the fight for equality and advocacy for those living and working with disabilities.

Kevin Thompson

Independent Living Specialist Outreach Director

Kevin provides critical services and support to northeastern Colorado residents who live with disabilities. Kevin has degrees from Aims Community College and Colorado State University, and has experience working in mental health, and with people with developmental disabilities. Kevin leads Connection’s traumatic brain injury support group.

Anne Yanez

Finance Associate

Anne holds a certificate in business accounting. She has two decades of experience in bookkeeping and office management and assists Connections with payroll, accounts payable and receivable, grant management, and our work with internal and external CPA firms.