Our team
Yolanda Webb
Executive Director
With over 30 years in intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) services, I’ve led at every level—nonprofit, government, and private sectors. Known as the “People Whisperer,” my work spans strategy, leadership development, and community building, from directing an international school in Japan to serving as CEO of E’LON Cosmetics and holding senior roles for multiple governors. A Master’s graduate of Xavier University and Leadership Denver alum, I serve on numerous boards and the incoming chair for the State Rehabilitation Commission. Above all, I’m a proud mother of two and grandmother of two, committed to advancing equity and opportunity for all.
Paula Christina
Director of Programs
I started my advocacy efforts with The Arc of Adams County in 1998. I have a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Psychology and a master’s degree in City Planning, both from the University of Texas. My professional life has been a combination of social work, education and health care. I am grateful for the vast learning opportunities I have experienced working with families and other professionals. I value basic human and civil rights for all, no matter the gifts or challenges we each possess.
Lina Newble
Operations Manager
I relocated from California to Colorado in the Summer of 2018. Prior to relocation, my role as a mother expanded in 2012 to being a foster parent to my two nieces and nephew. I was also a caretaker & advocate for my sister who has a mental illness. During that time, I learned the importance of having organizations who specialize in advocating and providing resources for individuals with mental illness and disabilities and support for their family members. I was able to navigate my sister through getting the help and assistance that was much needed because of those resources.
Alma Simental
Marketing Manager
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Marketing and gained my first professional experience as a marketing student coordinator for a department that served first-generation students like myself. I enjoyed creating community, resources, and support through marketing efforts. Since then, I’ve worked in field, social media, outreach, and content marketing across different industries. I’ve always been drawn to organizations that make a positive impact, and I’m glad to bring that passion to The Arc of Adams County and support their mission.
Sara Cortez
Administrative Assistant
Tina Janssen
HR Coordinator
Genesis Varela
Bilingual Advocate
I am a Bilingual Child/Family & Adult Advocate with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL. Since 2017, I have dedicated my career to the field of special education, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and fostering environments where all individuals can succeed.
I joined The Arc of Adams County in March 2024, continuing my commitment to advocating for inclusion, resources, opportunities, and education for individuals and families. My approach to advocacy centers on collaboration, meaningful support, and ensuring each person’s voice is valued and included. I work alongside families from diverse backgrounds to ensure they have access to the services, supports, and opportunities needed to achieve their goals and fully participate in their communities.
Angi Harding
Advocate - Intake
I have worked with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 20 years in a variety of capacities, including direct care, program management, case management, resource facilitation, and as a mental health provider. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver, and a License in Clinical Social Work. Through my work as an advocate, I support people with IDD and their families to understand and navigate the systems that affect their lives. I am passionate about ensuring that people with IDD have the knowledge, resources, and autonomy to take authority of their own lives and achieve their desires.
Romaine Akakpo
Consulting Advocate
I am an advocate consultant for the Arc of Adams. This means I am committed to creating educational information and developing a plan for men and women with intellectual and development disabilities to find confidence in moving forward with their professional and personal goals. I hold a degree in Web Design from Front Range Community College and outside of work, I am a writer of poetry.
Jose Torres-Vega
Policy Outreach Specialist
With more than two decades champion — and living — the civil‑rights agenda for people with disabilities, I’ve led at every level: grassroots advocacy, nonprofit management, and state‑wide policy. Known as the “Disability Advocate Who Gets Things Done,” my work spans technology transformation, coalition building, and legislative victories, from virtualizing a statewide disability‑services network after COVID‑19 to steering Colorado’s Developmental Disabilities Council as its newly elected Co‑Chair. I’ve spoken on international stages, served as Co‑Executive Director of El Grupo Vida, and now guide outreach strategy for The Arc of Adams County. A graduate of Universidad de San Carlos and Leadership TLC, I sit on dozens of boards and committees—including the Colorado People’s Alliance, the RMHS Board, and the Denver and Jefferson’s Medicaid Advisory Committees—and I’m honored to continue serving as an independent non‑attorney advocate. Above all, I’m a proud mentor, advocate, cultural broker, and lifelong ally, dedicated to expanding equity and opportunity for every person with a disability.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dana Holinka
President
Carrie Morris
Secretary
Carrie was born and raised in Denver, just like her mother and her maternal grandparents. She moved to Adams County with her husband Jim in the early 1980s and started her family in 1987. Raising two kids in this county and its 5 Star schools gave Carrie a good idea of what this community can provide. However, working in the IDD field since 1980 made it clear that not everyone has access to the same opportunities as her family.
Carrie began working for North Metro Community Services in 1988. She held a variety of positions there and worked with people of all ages. The combination of her home and professional roles helped Carrie to develop a strong belief that we need to work together towards equitable access to education, health care, and meaningful community participation. She hopes that her varied experiences can be helpful to the Board and agency in supporting its vision.
Al Naticchioni
Treasure
Al is new to The Arc of Adams County Board, but has a strong business and over 40 years in the financial services industry. He has years of experience in the corporate world as well as running his own small business. Although not a native, he has been in this area for approximately 30 years, and has been active in the betterment of our community as well as serving as President of the Westminster Rotary Club two consecutive years. In addition, he was the president of the clubs Foundation with over 1 million dollars in assets. He also has been active with the local Chamber and served on the board member for the Ranch Country Club for 4 years. He is proud to be an Arc board member, and believes his business and financial background along with his passion for community service will serve him well in this new role.
Jessica Scheihing
Member at Large
Jessica is a self-advocate with a vision and hearing impairment who has been connected with The Arc of Adams County for 15 years. She currently works at Arc Thrift Stores and has made multiple, meaningful connections with advocates, board members, and members of the community over the years. She’s excited to be a part of the board to share her perspective so that she can help others.
Julissa Soto
Member at Large
Julissa Soto is an internationally recognized health equity strategist, social entrepreneur, and fearless advocate for immigrant justice. With more than three decades of experience advancing Latino health, cultural validation, and human rights, she has emerged as a globally respected thought leader, innovator, and systems disruptor.
She is the visionary Founder and CEO of IHAC – the Immigrant Health Access Collaborative, an unprecedented alliance of more than 200 organizations working collectively to ensure equitable and dignified healthcare access for immigrant and refugee communities. Julissa is also the Founder of Casa Inmigrante, a trusted grassroots hub connecting Latino immigrants to culturally responsive services across health, legal, and social sectors.
Through her firm, Julissa Soto Latino Health Equity Consulting, she has trained over 6,000 healthcare professionals nationwide on her signature framework, The Power of Cultural Validation—a transformative model reshaping how institutions serve historically excluded populations. Her pioneering work has been featured in Time Magazine as a leading example of scalable, community-rooted solutions driving equity in public health.
Her lifelong dedication to justice and impact has earned her a place in Marquis Who’s Who in America, a distinguished biographical registry honoring leaders whose influence and integrity have reshaped their fields.
Julissa’s leadership extends far beyond national borders. She has traveled to 40 U.S. states and six continents, advancing global collaborations in health equity. Most recently, she served as Chair of the World Health Conference in Dubai, convening leaders from 27 countries to exchange strategies for addressing systemic health inequities worldwide.
She is also the co-founder and host of El Muro No Calla – María y Julissa al Micrófono, a groundbreaking podcast amplifying immigrant voices and confronting systemic silence in the face of injustice. A TED Speaker, Vaccine Global Ambassador, LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Health, and frequent public radio contributor, Julissa continues to bridge storytelling and strategy—grounded in lived experience, radical empathy, and the unwavering pursuit of equity.
From rural communities to international stages, Julissa Soto embodies clarity, courage, and compassion on the frontlines of change. Her mission remains steadfast: to build a world where every voice is honored, every culture is respected, and no one is left behind.
D.J. Whetter
Member at Large
D.J. Whetter serves as Managing Director of CiviCO, where he leads statewide efforts to strengthen Colorado’s civic infrastructure and expand pathways for people to participate meaningfully in their communities. His work centers on helping organizations, public-sector partners, and community leaders build healthy, inclusive cultures that translate values into measurable impact, especially for those whose voices are too often overlooked. Across Colorado, he has partnered with municipal leaders and community organizations to create nonpartisan spaces where people can collaborate, learn, and contribute in ways that are accessible and grounded in dignity and respect.
Previously, D.J. was Senior Director of Learning and Development at the Kansas Leadership Center, where he continues to teach and coach adaptive leadership to leaders across sectors and communities. His experience spans local governments, cross-sector coalitions, and organizations navigating complex human systems. This work has reinforced his belief that strong communities are built by listening deeply, valuing difference, and designing pathways that allow everyone to belong and thrive. That commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and practical leadership aligns closely with Arc of Adams County’s mission to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and strengthen the fabric of the communities they call home.
Elena Mendoza
Member at Large
Steve Tiemann
Member at Large
Steve has been a member of the Arc of Adams County board since 2010. He is proud to be a board member because he likes to help people. Steve comments that talking about what the Arc does, helps him a lot too. Steve is a person living with a disability; he reflected that serving as a board member has helped him come a long way in being empowered to ask questions and speaking up about his thoughts and opinions on different subjects. He likes working with the other members of the board. Steve stated that the board members read information aloud for him and they help explain things he doesn’t understand in a way that he can understand it. “I really enjoy it!” he said.