The Villa de Vida, Inc. Team
In addition to our Board of Directors, the following dedicated individuals make Villa de Vida, Inc. a fantastic place to work and a fantastic place to live for our residents.
Gabriela Lopez
Program Manager
Gabriela is an experienced Program Manager specializing in supported and independent living services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With over four years of experience in the field, she earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and an associate degree in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach.
Gabriela has led multidisciplinary teams, implemented Individual Service Plans, coordinated housing placements, and ensured compliance with regional center and program guidelines, helping clients achieve their personal goals and thrive in their communities. She also has hands-on experience in Enhanced Behavioral Support Homes, providing compassionate care to individuals with complex behavioral needs.
She is passionate about developing person-centered programs that promote independence, dignity, and meaningful community inclusion. Known for her clarity, consistency, and compassion, Gabriela brings a thoughtful and steady approach to leadership. At Villa de Vida, she is committed to making a lasting impact through high-quality services, staff mentorship, and collaborative care.
Emma Roppo
Resident Support Coordinator
Emma is a native San Diegan who started her work in behavioral health as a Pathmaker Intern at Palomar Hospital in high school. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Psychology and is currently interning at New Vistas Crisis Center providing therapy to people in mental health crisis. Emma began working with the IDD population during high school and worked as a behavioral therapist after college before moving to clinical research. She is excited to join this wonderful community!
Carlin Sutter
Activities Coordinator
Carlin is the Activities Coordinator at Villa de Vida. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, she moved to San Diego in 2021 to attend UC San Diego, where she earned a B.S. in Business Psychology and Marketing. She brings experience in event and marketing coordination, along with a background as a behavioral therapist and paraprofessional aide. She also volunteers as a research assistant in UC San Diego’s Developmental Psychology Department.
Carlin is passionate about creating supportive and welcoming environments for people from all walks of life. She takes pride in her positive attitude and strong work ethic and looks forward to bringing that energy to Villa de Vida’s residents.
Zach Hill
Activities Aide & Direct Support Professional
Zach is a Native San Diegan. He is a firm believer in assisting his peers through advocacy and a love for healthy lifestyle and sports. He is the current Vice President of San Diego People First, an organization promoting advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. He also helps as an assistant coach for the 2nd Recess youth running club in San Diego. Zach hopes to share new ideas, approaches, and positive energy with the residents, programs, and activities at Villa de Vida, Inc.
Direct Support Professionals
Our Direct Support Professionals work with Villa de Vida, Poway residents in a variety of ways. Side-by-side with participants, they jump directly into engaging daily activities, ranging from cooking, physical fitness, and arts and crafts to social skill development and vocational growth. They build strong, meaningful rapport by meeting one-on-one with residents to explore their unique interests, establish personalized plans, and track progress toward their short- and long-term goals. DSPs also serve as dedicated advocates, ensuring activities are adapted to meet individual needs and connecting residents with supportive community resources.
Above all, this work is a collaborative team effort. DSPs work closely alongside program managers, class instructors, families, and fellow team members to share ideas, solve problems, and create an inclusive, empowering environment where every resident can thrive.
Our DSP Staff
Patricia Archie
Laura Christensen
Elizabeth Cushman
Victoria Degracia
Alyssa Freeland
Zach Hill
Josh Lauifi
MK Prokop
Rosalie Regina-Torres
Katherine Russell
Ryan Stanley
Jack Stuhley