OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

A smiling staff member prepares food in a kitchen.

HopeWorks is powered by dedicated employees, each with a personal call to serve and often a personal connection to our mission. This passionate team is the backbone of our organization, driving forward our programs and services with commitment and expertise. Our leaders are selected not only for their skills and knowledge but also for their ability to empathize and connect with the people we serve.

HopeWorks is powered by dedicated employees, each with a personal call to serve and often a personal connection to our mission. This passionate team is the backbone of our organization, driving forward our programs and services with commitment and expertise. Our leaders are selected not only for their skills and knowledge but also for their ability to empathize and connect with the people we serve.

Staff

CEO:

Heidiliza “Heidi” Shultz

DIRECTORS:

Ray Lucero, Finance Director

Trish Garcia, Director of Administration

Joseph “Joe” Padilla, Housing Director

Michele “Mitchie” Benavidez, Development Director

Julie Yung, Shelter Director

Noel Kofoed, Clinical Director

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Headshot of Antoinette Sanchez-Romero

Antoinette Sanchez-Romero

President

Mia Maes

VICE PRESIDENT
Headshot of William R. Miller

William R. Miller

Secretary
Marty Mathisen headshot

Marty Mathisen

Treasurer
James Freeman headshot

James Freeman

Director
Headshot of Antoinette Sanchez-Romero

Senator Linda Lopez

Board Advisor

Brett Mitchell-Webb

Director
Eric Shimamoto headshot

Eric Shimamoto

Director

James C. Wilkey

Director

Leadership Team

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HopeWorks July Open Board Meeting
Time: Jul 17, 2025 9:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91489373961?pwd=LN1VC7kV1kjaA3km7GM3FgSiHnk3Rt.1
Meeting ID: 914 8937 3961
Passcode: 168853
Board Meeting Agenda
Recent Board Meeting Minutes

Staff

Staff

Headshot of Diane Brown
Controller

Diane Brown
Headshot of Leia Cunningham
CCSS Training and Compliance

Leia Cunningham
Headshot of Juniper LeCourt
Dismas House Program Manager

Juniper LeCount
Ed Lovato headshot
Facilities Manager

Ed Lovato
Headshot of Caroline Olivas
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program Manager

Caroline Olivas
Joe has over 15 years of experience working in the social services field. Beginning in 2006, he’s worked with various local nonprofit agencies and has experience in a wide range of roles, from a CCSS Supervisor, Program Director of a safe exchange/supervised visitation program, residential treatment Supervisor, to Program Manager of a Treatment Foster Care and Behavioral Management Service Programs. In 2020, Joe began his journey at HopeWorks in the Behavioral Health Department working with high acuity clients. In 2021, he was named Sr. CSW and in 2022 became Program Manager of Hope Found. Joe holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico.
Hope Village Supervisor

Joe Padilla
Headshot of Amanda Pilcher
CCSS Clinical Supervisor

Amanda Pilcher
Headshot of David Schell
Information Technologies Director

David Schell
Noel Kofoed headshot
Clinical Supervisor

Noel Kofoed
Gary Reeves headshot
Comprehensive Recovery Team (CRT) Program Manager

Gary Reeves
Headshot of Diane Brown

Controller

Diane Brown

Diane has over 10 years of experience working with HopeWorks. Before moving into the Controller position, she was the Medical Billing Manager. During previous search for a CFO, Diane managed HopeWorks’ finance department. Prior to moving to New Mexico and joining HopeWorks, Diane lived in a variety of places across the globe as part of a military family. Her degrees are in Accounting and Health Care Administration.

Headshot of Leia Cunningham

CCSS Training and Compliance

Leia Cunningham

Leia has been with HopeWorks since July 2013, working first as a case manager in the Heading Home program, then as Team Lead for the Pathways to Hope program, before moving into her role as Program Manager for PSR. In summer 2023, Leia was promoted to CCSS Training and Compliance. Leia has a BS degree in Human Services and knew that she wanted to work with vulnerable and marginalized populations early on. Leia has since become a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and obtained her Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner credential. She is passionate about helping people recognize their own strengths and gifts and use them in their recovery journey.

Headshot of Juniper LeCourt

Dismas House Program Manager

Juniper LeCount

Juniper has over six years of experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders. Juniper holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Tampa and completed two years of graduate level psychology and counseling courses from the University of West Florida. Prior to HopeWorks, Juniper has worked in residential units for co-occurring disorders at Lakeview Inc. and provided substance use counseling at Operation PAR. Juniper began at HopeWorks as a CSW in CRT.

Ed Lovato headshot

Facilities Manager

Ed Lovato

Ed has been with HopeWorks since 2020, starting as Facilities Coordinator and quickly moving into Facilities Manager within the year. Ed brings to HopeWorks a wealth of experience in leading teams and managing physical operations in a variety of business settings. At HopeWorks, Ed helps ensure that our extensive campus and buildings are well maintained, in good working order; he serves as a jack-of-all-trades and offers creative solutions to challenges that arise on campus.

Headshot of Caroline Olivas

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program Manager

Caroline Olivas

Caroline received her undergraduate degree in Art Education from the University of New Mexico and has been with HopeWorks since 2018. She started as a Community Support Worker in CRT (Comprehensive Recovery Team), moved up to a Senior CSW, then to Program Manager for CRT, supporting and overseeing a team of 11-13 case managers who assist clients experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. In September 2023, Caroline was once again promoted, this time to Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program Manager.

Joe has over 15 years of experience working in the social services field. Beginning in 2006, he’s worked with various local nonprofit agencies and has experience in a wide range of roles, from a CCSS Supervisor, Program Director of a safe exchange/supervised visitation program, residential treatment Supervisor, to Program Manager of a Treatment Foster Care and Behavioral Management Service Programs. In 2020, Joe began his journey at HopeWorks in the Behavioral Health Department working with high acuity clients. In 2021, he was named Sr. CSW and in 2022 became Program Manager of Hope Found. Joe holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico.

Hope Village Supervisor

Joe Padilla

Joe has over 15 years of experience working in the social services field. Beginning in 2006, he’s worked with various local nonprofit agencies and has experience in a wide range of roles, from a CCSS Supervisor, Program Director of a safe exchange/supervised visitation program, residential treatment Supervisor, to Program Manager of a Treatment Foster Care and Behavioral Management Service Programs. In 2020, Joe began his journey at HopeWorks in the Behavioral Health Department working with high acuity clients. In 2021, he was named Sr. CSW, in 2022 became Program Manager of Hope Found; in 2023, he became Hope Village Supervisor, overseeing Hope Village, ACT and PSR programs. Joe holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico.

Headshot of Amanda Pilcher

CCSS Clinical Supervisor

Amanda Pilcher

Amanda moved to Albuquerque in 2013 as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Amanda completed her year of service work at the HopeWorks Day Shelter. This inspired a love of working with those experiencing homelessness, and Amanda stayed on with HopeWorks as a Community Support Worker. In 2017, Amanda moved to Lawrence, KS to attend the University of Kansas and earn her MSW. However, the land of enchantment beckoned, and in 2019 Amanda returned to work at HopeWorks, first as a therapist and then as the Program Manager for the Comprehensive Recovery Team. In October 2021, Amanda moved into the Case Management Programs Director; in summer 2023, she was promoted to CCSS Clinical Supervisor.

Headshot of David Schell

Information Technologies Director

David Schell

Before joining the HopeWorks team in March 2021, David spent fifteen years as the IT Director of an international microfinance organization and five years each as a software engineer and directing the IT department at a private college-preparatory school. Applying his years of developed expertise, David oversees IT operations for all HopeWorks programs and administration. David holds undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Business Finance from Montana State University and a Master of Business Administration in International Economic Development from Eastern University.

Noel Kofoed headshot

Clinical Supervisor

Noel Kofoed

Noel began at HopeWorks in our Outreach Program in 2016 while in a graduate program for school counseling. During her time in this role, Noel discovered a passion for clinical mental health while witnessing the resilience and determination of the population we serve. Noel promptly changed clinical paths and entered into our internship program in 2017. She joined our clinical outpatient therapy team in 2018. In the time that followed, Noel was named lead clinician and then clinical supervisor in 2023. Noel holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University.

Gary Reeves headshot

Comprehensive Recovery Team (CRT) Program Manager

Gary Reeves

Bio coming soon

Opportunities

We invite you to learn more about the leaders at HopeWorks who make our mission possible. Their stories, dedication, and vision are what make HopeWorks a beacon of hope and a leader in addressing homelessness with dignity and respect.

At HopeWorks, leadership is about more than just guiding the organization—it's about fostering an environment where both employees and clients can thrive and find hope. Join us in our mission to make a difference.

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