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As a military spouse, Amanda left Sierra Vista after high school and lived in many regions of the US and Europe. This gave her an appreciation for how others live.

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Wildlife Biology and gained experience in research and conservation. Her travels were vast, varied and encompassed many of her interests. In Germany, Amanda was employed as a para-educator working with developmentally disabled high school students and fell in love with working one-on-one with those individuals, watching them grow and thrive. Amanda then worked for a city zoo in New York State. That experience helped grow an appreciation of how education inspires preservation of wildlife and the environment. Amanda gained management experience as a Manager at a large Specialty Vet Hospital in Washington State, making the connection between quality service and customer satisfaction. Amanda is excited to combine her passions and skills at Echoing Hope Ranch and looks forward to contributing to its growth and success.

Jasmine was born in Douglas, AZ, and grew up in Bisbee. Bisbee is her home, but she moved to Sierra Vista a few years ago to be closer to her family. Jasmine is a 2010 graduate of Bisbee High School and soon after began her work supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Little did she know that this would be where her heart was. Jasmine started her career with EHR in 2018 as an on-call/relief staff for all departments. Shortly after, she was promoted to the team for the IDLA program in 2019 and became a DTA lead. In 2020 she became a lead for habilitation and respite. Jasmine became EHR’s Program Assistant in 2021 and Program Manager in June 2022. Jasmine has grown with EHR’s participants and would never choose to have done anything differently. Jasmine has four children and is thankful to be part of EHR, guiding individuals along a successful path.

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Daniel Wichgers, EHR’s Ranch Manager, hails from Wisconsin and discovered his passion for agriculture at an early age, influenced by his grandparents. Eventually, he made the decision to move to Arizona to pursue his love for farming and ranching. Using the knowledge he gleaned from his grandfather, Daniel was able to begin his career in sustainable agriculture with Echoing Hope Ranch. After five years of service, Daniel has accomplished many influential projects. A farm-to-school program that has delivered more than 4,000 lbs. of organic produce to area schools is something EHR is very proud of and is only possible with the leadership of Daniel and his team. He is a certified vertical gardening specialist, well versed in permaculture and regenerative agriculture practices. He is also an expert in aquaponics and has instituted new growing technologies to increase production output by 15% yearly.

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I was born in Tucson, AZ but grew up in Naco, AZ. I graduated from Bisbee High School in 2012, not sure of what kind of career I wanted. In 2014, I applied to be a DSP with a different agency not knowing it would change my perspective on life. I have been a part of EHR since 2018 starting as a Direct Support Professional. I have to be honest though, I didn’t expect to love what I do, I just needed a job at the time. I worked as a DSP with EHR until 2020, when I became an IDLA lead. I became a Program Lead in June of 2022. Working with the individuals we support here at EHR has been the best experience yet. The relationships I have built with not only the individuals we support but with their families as well has been amazing. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this team.

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Allie is the Therapeutic Support Specialist at Echoing Hope Ranch, where she facilitates person-centered treatment planning and programmatic support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Drawing from a background in occupational therapy and disability rights advocacy, Stewart implements evidence-based strategies to enhance daily living skills (ADLs and IADLs), promote self-advocacy, and improve quality-of-life outcomes for supported individuals.

Since joining EHR in January 2023, Stewart has contributed to accessible programming across the organization, including workshops for staff and community partners, as well as tier-based vocational training for supported individuals. She provides direct support, facilitates interdisciplinary planning, and leads community outreach through neurodiversity-affirming education. Her professional interests include rural disability resource equity, trauma-informed care, and systems-level inclusion.

Stewart earned her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University, where she currently serves on the Board for Social Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. As of 2025, she holds titles as a Certified ADA Coordinator (ACTCP) and Certified Sexuality Occupational Therapist (CSOT). Her prior work spans traditional medical settings, community-based mental health programs, and adaptive art studios. Now based in Southern Arizona, she remains committed to creating opportunities for people with IDD to lead empowered, connected, and self-directed lives.

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Kathy Adams is the Training Coordinator/Instructor at Echoing Hope Ranch (EHR). As a Certified Instructor for the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Kathy instructs employees in the required DDD training and also researches, writes, develops, and instructs new training specific for EHR employees. Beginning first as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and transport driver at EHR in 2021, Kathy brings this background along with her education experience to the EHR Training position to empower DSPs with the tools to support and empower individuals while continuing to provide direct support, writing and publishing the monthly Parents and Guardians Newsletter, and coordinating activities for the EHR day program’s monthly calendar.

Previous to working with EHR, Kathy has 20 years teaching experience in both private and public schools in grades pre-K through high school. Teaching in both neurotypical and neurodiverse classrooms as well as spending two summers instructing students in Summer English Workshops at a university in East Asia, Kathy understands the value of teaching to meet the preferences of diverse learning styles. As an advocate for equal opportunities for all learners in the classroom while teaching Pre-K through 12th grade, Adams remains committed to facilitating opportunities now for adults of all abilities–for inclusion in their community and in leading their most independent, empowered life.

Kathy earned her two Bachelor of Science degrees in both Art and English at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. Her love of learning and the spark of learning that lights up when nurturing/mentoring another person is the motivation that fuels her passion.