Independent Living Specialist Lead &
Small Group Planning
Shiloh is passionate about building a future in case management and is committed to supporting others in improving their daily lives through advocacy and compassionate care. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado. Shiloh strives to integrate her academic experience with her role at Connections to gain a comprehensive understanding of the independent living philosophy.
Shiloh works directly with individuals served by the program, contributing to peer groups, and supporting independent living skills training.
Outside of her work at Connections, Shiloh enjoys spending time with loved ones, exploring nature, and engaging in movement through running, hiking, and weightlifting.
Independent Living Specialist
Originally from Texas, Pepper made Colorado her home in 2020. With over 20 years of experience in caregiving and service-based roles, she brings a wealth of diverse, hands-on experience to her work. Her professional journey has ranged from serving as a medical technician assistant in San Diego to becoming a licensed funeral director in both Texas and Colorado—roles that have shaped her into a compassionate and well-rounded advocate for people from diverse backgrounds.
In recent years, Pepper has focused her efforts on care management, providing dedicated advocacy and support to Colorado’s unhoused and refugee populations. Her commitment to empowering individuals and strengthening communities is the driving force behind her work.
Her guiding motto is: “Help others help themselves to grow.”
Independent Living Specialist Lead
Jessica Standiferd is a nonprofit professional with nearly a decade of experience in community engagement, accessibility, and organizational development. As an Independent Living Specialist, she helps people with disabilities build independence and reach their personal goals. Jessica also leads group sessions, partners with community organizations, and keeps records to ensure great service.
She holds a Professional Certificate from Aims Community College’s Nonprofit Leadership Academy, with specialized training in nonprofit finance, marketing, strategic planning, human resources, and grant writing. Certified in Mental Health First Aid and trained through the Independent Living Research Utilization program, Jessica is passionate about advocacy and community-building, bringing both creativity and dedication to her work.
Veterans Independence Program Specialist Lead
With eight years of experience in nonprofit long-term care, Kimberly is excited to help Veterans stay independent at home. A Morgan County, Colorado native, she looks forward to bringing resources to rural communities across the state and beyond. As an Edan Associate from Edan Alternative, she brings expertise in person-centered care through the Veterans Independence Program.
Kimberly has worked closely with Restorative Therapy Professionals to support safe, independent living environments. She holds a QMAP certification, has completed CPI training, and has participated in two Dementia Care programs, demonstrating her commitment to quality care and strong problem-solving skills.
Independent Living Specialist
Adilene was born and raised in California before relocating to Colorado in 2008. Adilene has extensive experience in customer service and working with non-profit organizations. She demonstrates a strong dedication to community values and support, both in her role as an Independent Living Specialist at Connections and as an individual with a disability. Adilene is presently enrolled at Aims Community College, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is dedicated to assisting others and contributing to the community.
During her free time, Adilene values spending time with her family and her beloved dog, Chewie.
Independent Living Specialist
Lucy is passionate about brining joy to others and supporting those around her. Through coaching and leading it has allowed her to foster relationships and build strong communication skills. She comes from the childcare field and is currently taking Early Childhood education classes at Aims. Lucy alongside her husband enjoys watching sports, playing video games, and eating food.
Independent Living Specialist Lead
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. 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.
Independent Living Specialist
As a lifelong Greeley native, Aj is passionately invested in the well-being of the community. With three years of hands-on experience in human services, Aj specializes in being the vital first point of contact for clients, completing intake processes and providing comprehensive information and referral services. They hold a Bachelor of Sciences in Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado and are currently enhancing their practice by pursuing a Master of Social Work at Colorado State University. Aj’s work is driven by a genuine desire to connect people with the resources that can transform their lives. In his free time, Aj enjoys reading science fiction novels.
Benefits Specialist
Housing Coordinator
Dianna holds an associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Colorado State University. Dianna manages Connections’ Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which includes the State Housing Vouchers and Emergency Vouchers that assist disabled individuals in Weld County, oversees new voucher eligibility and briefings, housing admissions, annual reexaminations and conducts annual quality inspections of housing units. Dianna is certified by Colorado’s Division of Housing.
Benefits Representative
Dan has lived in Colorado since 1970. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado and in Computer Science from Colorado State University. He has served for over 10 years on the Board of Directors for a Center for Independent Living and is currently in his third year as a member of the Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council.
Dan serves Connections as an Independent Living Specialist, bringing with him a 27-year career as a software engineer in the technology industry. Prior to that, he was a World Championship and Paralympic champion Alpine ski racer with the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.
Chief Executive Officer
Rochelle is a 25+ 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.
Director of Programs and Services
Housing and Office Assistant
Alexis was born and raised in Greeley. He graduated from Greeley Central High School. He feels Connections is a great fit for him because of the efforts towards the disabled community. Alexis is the voice you hear when you call and the first face you see when you walk into Connections. He conducts all pre-intakes for potential consumers. Alexis also helps to assist the Housing Coordinator with the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).
Human Resources & Office Manager
A Greeley native, Marla brings 13 years of operations experience and a deep commitment to the communities she calls home — both professionally and personally. She has spent her career working remotely, long before it became the norm, mastering the art of building systems, streamlining processes, and getting things done efficiently across distributed teams.
With a natural instinct for how things work (and how they could work better), Marla is at her best when she’s untangling complexity, designing smarter workflows, or helping colleagues level up their own skills. She’s deeply curious, endlessly learning, and genuinely loves watching and helping people grow.
Outside of work, Marla is a devoted mom of two teenagers, a voracious non-fiction reader, and someone who stays grounded through kickboxing, yoga, and paddleboarding. She’s deeply involved in community service and brings that same spirit of care and contribution to everything she does.
Finance Associate
Stephanie graduated from Thompson Valley High School and came to Connections with three years of customer service experience. Stephanie is also the first point of contact for information and referrals. She completes all pre-intakes for Connections and has an exceptional level of hospitality to all. Stephanie has also taken on accounts payables and receivables for the organization.
Communications & Inquiry Specialist
Emily Martinez is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Cellular Biology at the University of Northern Colorado. She came to work this summer at Connections to pursue her love for helping the community. Throughout Emily’s two years of college she has completed over 200 hundred community service hours within Weld County. Teaching and inspiring others to explore the outdoors is something Emily values and is devoted to. Outside student life Emily loves hosting and volunteering in community events, as well as walking her dog Chicko, a small terrier chihuahua mix who has a stellar personality. Emily is a proud member of ΑΣΑ; she loves her sorority and being involved within the university community. Emily is beyond excited to work with Connections and the youth outdoors program!