Qualified. Caring. Supportive. All words that describe the people who create the healing environment that is Hopewell.
This remarkable team nurtures and challenges our residents as they work together in our farm community. Hopewell’s program is developed and supervised by licensed mental health providers with many years of experience in a variety of settings. Clinicians are active in resident and family counseling, case coordination, psychiatric and medication management and discharge transitions.
We are licensed and accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and licensed and certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH).
Colleen Welder became Hopewell’s Chief Executive Officer in December 2024. She began her Hopewell career in 2003 as Nurse Manager, after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ursuline College and American Nurses Credentialing Center credentials in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Colleen later received her Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management.
A love for horses led Colleen to be trained in Equine Assisted Learning and started the first equine program at Hopewell. Horses provide an opportunity for metaphorical learning and offer a safe and organic way for healing to occur. The program has brought healing to so many of our residents.
In 2008, Colleen became Director of Program and Operations, overseeing the day-to-day operations and that program staff are working to benefit our residents. Prior to Hopewell, she worked in inpatient mental health for University Hospitals of Cleveland and in outpatient psychiatry at a Community Mental Health Center.
An advocate of Hopewell's treatment model, Colleen believes that residents can recover. Her patient and supportive attitude helps people find meaning and motivation in their lives.
As a licensed social worker and licensed professional clinical counselor, Daniel views treatment with a holistic approach. He was immediately drawn to the healing power of the Hopewell environment and program. Daniel's responsibilities as Clinical Director include overseeing Admissions & Intake, supervision of the Clinical Team, supervising counseling interns, overseeing all clinical aspects of the Hopewell program and serving on the marketing and program committees of the board of directors. Daniel also maintains a caseload of residents and provides individual and group counseling services to residents. From working in a pre-release prison program in Montana to long-term residential treatment programs in Maine to providing individual, family, and group counseling in Youngstown, Ohio, Daniel's experience brings a well-rounded perspective to his work at Hopewell. In his free time, Daniel is an artist-welder creating sculptures from salvaged steel.
Candace Carlton, MSW, LISW-S, RSP
Quality Improvement & Compliance Director, Clinician
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Candace is the one who keeps us on track here at Hopewell. Using her exceptional organizational skills, she oversees our accreditations with a variety of mental health licensing organizations (CARF Surveyor) and collects our research data. Candace does double duty as a clinician, counseling residents and leading group sessions. She also is a Client Rights Officer. According to Candace, working with people in need and seeing them flourish and recover inspires her every day since she joined us in 2000. She believes in the power of Hopewell's beautiful natural setting to heal.
Allison has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Akron. She worked in public accounting for three years after college and has spent the last seven years managing her family's small business. In the accounting world, it is not always easy to find a job that is also meaningful to the community and she is glad to have found Hopewell. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, building Legos, and spending tons of time outdoors with her two boys.
Kellie came to Hopewell as an Administrative Assistant in 2014. She transitioned to Human Resources Manager in 2019 and currently leads the Human Resources department, work crews, and day to day operations. Kellie is a member of the Leadership Team, Performance Improvement Committee, Employee Appreciation Committee, Agricultural and Horticultural Committee, Safety Committee, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. Kellie is excited to share her passion for regenerative agriculture, beekeeping, gardening and animal husbandry with the Hopewell community.
Ann started with Hopewell in 2017 as Development and Communications Manager and currently leads the Development Team in the Chagrin Falls office. Prior to Hopewell, Ann worked with numerous non-profits organizing fundraising and events. In 2014, she received her master’s degree in urban design, planning and development, focusing in on her love for sustainability and community involvement. She has lived in the Chagrin Valley for over 30 years, raising two children and too many cats and dogs. In her spare time, she teaches yoga and plays in her yard.
Jonathan “Mickey” Holmes is a lifelong resident of the area and even rode past Hopewell regularly on his way to school as a child. In 2005, at age 18, he applied for a kitchen assistant position and began his career at Hopewell. He quickly transitioned into being a Program Facilitator and a Shift Lead. It was at this time he discovered an affinity for working with those experiencing a mental health crisis. In 2010, Mickey became a Program Services Supervisor and in 2020, added Safety Officer to his duties. He served as Lyman House Manager from 2016 until the program ended in 2019. In 2024, Mickey earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kent State University and became Hopewell’s Program Manager providing leadership, training, and guidance to the program team. In 2025, Mickey became the Program director with the goal of continuing to improve Hopewell’s program and the good work done by the entire Program Team. Throughout his years and different positions, Mickey has grown an appreciation for the unique way Hopewell offers treatment of symptoms and encouragement to develop independence for those struggling with mental illness.
Dave joined Hopewell in August 2025. He brings with him over 25 years of hands-on experience in property management and home renovations. For the past 12 years, Dave served as the General Manager of a local home improvement company, where he oversaw daily operations, led carpentry teams and subcontractors, as well as worked closely with customers to deliver high quality service. His background has given him a strong foundation in leadership, problem solving, and maintaining safe, efficient, and welcoming environments.
Dave is excited to begin a new chapter at Hopewell, where he looks forward to applying his skills to support the campus, staff, and community in meaningful ways. He values the opportunity to contribute to an organization that makes a positive difference in people's lives and is eager to grow in his new role.
Dr. Andrew Hunt joined Hopewell in June 2024. Since graduating residency at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals, he has been involved in community psychiatry at many levels. Clinically, he is Director of the Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY) Initiative at University Hospitals, with the mission of developing research and services tailored to emerging adults (17-29yo). This includes leading a team of TAY clinicians and supervising trainees in medication management and psychotherapy. Dr. Hunt co-founded a DBT program at The Centers for Families and Children in 2010, where he continues to consult weekly on DBT therapy and training, and see adult patients for medication management.
Dr. Hunt’s clinical research has focused on NEET status (Not-Employed, Educating, or Training) in TAY, looking at the relationship between severe mental illness, substance use, and dropping-out of school and work. In addition to his clinical duties, he is Associate Training Director of Case Western Reserve School of Medicine/University Hospitals Department of Psychiatry Adult Residency Program, where he teaches and supervises residents and CWRU medical students. He teaches extensively for the residency curriculum on the topic teams of psychotherapy, group therapy, anxiety disorders, nutritional psychiatry, and personality disorders.
Andrew joined Hopewell because he saw that it was a place where the staff form a therapeutic community for individuals struggling with more difficult-to-treat conditions. Throughout his career, he has been committed to helping individuals with chronic severe mental illness thrive in their communities.
Sami has been a part of the Hopewell community since 2017. She started as a program facilitator while also working as an RN at a community mental health center. She received her BSN from Malone University. While working as a program facilitator, Sami was actively pursing her master's degree in nursing. She graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2018 with a degree and title of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She then transitioned from program facilitator to psychiatric provider at Hopewell.
The holistic approach to mental health treatment is what drew Sami to Hopewell and led her to embrace the therapeutic farm model. Her role at Hopewell includes providing therapeutic support, diagnosing, prescribing medications and collaborating with nursing and clinical staff in order to help each individual patient reach their mental health goals. She believes Hopewell’s holistic model can transform the way we view and treat mental health.
Sami is a life long learner and is working toward earning her Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree at Case Western Reserve University. She is a faculty member in the Case Western Reserve School of Nursing and is dedicated to provide mental health education for students, staff, patients and families.
Nicole is a licensed independent social worker with over 10 years experience in the mental health field. She started her career at Hopewell in 2013 and has additional work experience as a school social worker and private practice therapist. Nicole believes the inclusivity of Hopewell's therapeutic community is an invaluable healing tool for adults with mental illness.
Anne (Annie) appreciates the holistic approach Hopewell takes to understanding mental health. As a clinician, Annie employs this approach in her work with Hopewell’s residents as they and their families navigate their healing and recovery journeys individually and in group settings.
She achieved her BA in Psychology from Malone University and a M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Kent State University. Prior to her transition into Hopewell’s community, she provided in-home therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults. In her free time, Annie enjoys watching and playing soccer, listening to podcasts, spending time with her family and animals, and refinishing furniture.
Kala began working at Hopewell as an intern while completing her Master's Degree in Counseling & Art Therapy at Ursuline College. She found a connection with the supportive staff and the many opportunities for professional development that Hopewell offered. She gained experience providing therapeutic services to individuals of both the autistic and LGBTQ+ communities through other internships but eventually decided to return to Hopewell following graduation. Since graduation, Kala has also received training in EMDR, a trauma processing therapy.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Miami University with a co-major in art therapy which provided education in a variety of art disciplines. Kala runs the ceramics room at Hopewell and has a passion for fiber arts and jewelry making in her personal life. She believes that all forms of art can be therapeutic if given the right approach and is more than happy to help individuals explore new mediums.
Annie finds Hopewell’s therapeutic community to be a profound healing environment and appreciates the holistic and person-centered approach Hopewell embodies. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from John Carroll University and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Cleveland State University. Before joining Hopewell, she worked in a private practice providing individual psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In her free time, Annie enjoys hiking, horseback riding, yoga, and spending time with loved ones.
Heidi embarked on a second career in the mental health field after working as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) in a diagnostic laboratory for over 15 years. Following graduation from Youngstown State University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Program in 2021, Heidi went on to work as a therapist in a group private practice for two years before joining Hopewell. Heidi understands and values the important role community plays in the healing process at Hopewell as she completed an internship at a substance use disorder treatment campus which offered outpatient, residential, and sober living services.
Walking through the woods with her dogs has been part of Heidi’s self-care regimen for many years, and she strives to encourage Hopewell residents to discover the restorative powers of nature for themselves. Heidi also enjoys bird watching, cycling, and kayaking.
Carl brings over 30 years of experience in community mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities, with specialized expertise in trauma-informed care. His clinical approach reflects Hopewell’s holistic, person-centered philosophy, emphasizing the inherent strengths and potential of each individual.
Throughout his career, Carl has held roles in direct clinical practice, counselor development, and program leadership. His deep background in community mental health has shaped a strong belief in the power of healing through community — a perspective that aligns closely with Hopewell’s therapeutic community model. At Hopewell Farm, Carl helps create a healing environment rooted in meaningful connection, purposeful engagement, and the cultivation of hope.
Outside of his professional life, Carl enjoys fishing, kayaking, and spending time in nature. A passionate fan of live music, he frequently attends concerts and travels to music festivals. Most of all, he values time with family, friends, and his beloved canine companions.
Nicole brings a rich background in community mental health, with experience as a case manager, counselor, and supervisor to interns across a variety of settings—including office-based, in-home, and community outreach—throughout Northeast Ohio. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Kent State University and a Master's degree from the University of Akron. However, Nicole credits her most valuable learning to the communities she has served and the individuals within them, firmly believing that our best resource is each other.
If Nicole were to design a program that reflects her passion for holistic healing—supporting mind, body, and spirit in the context of shared growth and community—the farm at Hopewell would be it. Her personal wellness practices include yoga, meditation, kayaking, and enjoying live music. She also loves spending time outdoors with her partner and their dogs, always seeking inspiration from nature and meaningful connection.
Jodi holds a degree in music from Baldwin Wallace College and a degree in psychology and post-bacc music therapy certification from Cleveland State University. Prior to coming to Hopewell this summer, she held positions in hospice and behavioral health facilities.
Jodi had an upbringing full of classical music (piano and violin) but her “instrument” of choice is her voice. She performs jazz, pop, and soul tunes, and has a residency at the Standard Restaurant twice a week. She loves to hear live and choral music and sings at weddings and at church.
Tim Bitting is the Outreach Manager at Hopewell, ensuring the nation and community are familiar with our incredible program. Tim has his BS from Penn State University and his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.
Tim is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys weekend trips to his families hunting complex in the rural mountains of West Virginia. He says it is a much needed respite, a chance to unplug from technology and re-tune his inner being with the peace and serenity nature provides.
Rachel arrived at Hopewell with a business background, therapeutic mind, and a heart for people. She graduated with an MBA from Cleveland State University before working as a Case Manager, Supervisor, and Therapeutic Behavioral Services worker for young adults with autism spectrum disorder. As an avid advocate for mental health, the transition to Hopewell was natural. Rachel is proud to be a part of something bigger, and grateful every day to work for such a life changing organization. In her spare time, Rachel, as a die-hard Cleveland Browns Fan, loves watching football, spreading laughter, being with friends & family, and volunteering as much as she can for those in need.
Doreen has been at Hopewell for over 10 years, including five years as head chef. Raised on a farm in Geauga County, she has a deep connection to the land and a passion for fresh local ingredients. Doreen loves to create nourishing meals that support mental and physical wellbeing. As a mother of three adult daughters, wife, and grandmother, she values the power of food to bring people together, hosting gatherings for friends and family to emphasize comfort and care through food. Doreen is excited to continue the farm-to-table concept at Hopewell.
