Meet the Team

Jesseca Tighe, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Dr. Jesseca Tighe is Aspens at Fort Collins’ executive director. Her passion for seniors began in graduate school while she was studying for her Ph.D. in psychology. After many years of working in mental health, she went back to her roots. Dr. Tighe has been working in senior care for the last 12 years in various leadership roles. During that time, she served in independent living, assisted living and memory care, and as an executive director since 2017. She enjoys helping seniors and their families at every level of care, but memory care is her heart and soul. Residents with dementia are unique, and they deserve special attention and guidance. Dr. Tighe finds a great sense of fulfillment helping seniors with dementia continue to live a purposeful life and even try new things.

David Catanese

Culinary Services Director

Chef David Catanese joined the Aspens at Fort Collins team with over 10 years of experience in a variety of culinary pursuits, including menu development, catering, restaurants and now senior living. His passion is creating vibrant, delicious and nourishing meals that use high-quality, local and seasonal ingredients. David prides himself on providing a dining experience that includes individual residents’ preferences and needs to make every meal a unique and memorable culinary experience. David gets a profound sense of joy and satisfaction in creating food that residents and their families truly enjoy.

Shawn Wyburn

Business Office Director

Shawn Wyburn comes to the Aspens at Fort Collins team with years of banking experience, an immense passion for life and a penchant for serving others. Shawn’s role as the Business Office director allows him to serve as a financial resource for families as they move through every step of the senior living experience, starting at move-in and throughout their stay.

Larissa Brothers

Generations Program Director

Larissa Brothers is Aspens at Fort Collins’ Generations Program director. She comes with a wealth of nursing experience at all levels of care. Larissa has been an assistant director of Nursing for several years and is the key to the success of our caregivers and medication technicians. She oversees all aspects of resident care, from initial assessments to liaising with physicians and families. Larissa is passionate about person-centered care, emphasizing quality of life for our residents and making every day purposeful and enjoyable. Larissa has already initiated several new programs that have brought joy to our residents.

Tigerlily Lopez

Generations Program Coordinator

Tigerlily Lopez joins the Aspens at Fort Collins team as the Generations Program coordinator. Tigerlily, a Colorado native, developed a passion for senior care after her grandparents were diagnosed with dementia and has turned that passion into a career. Tigerlily looks forward to making sure the next stage of our residents’ lives is filled with purpose, possibility and joy. She works to ensure that Aspens is a place where residents can be empowered, accepted and celebrated. In her free time, Tigerlily likes to read, crochet, and spend time with her fiancé and her cat, Beetle-Bee.

Samantha Lehmann

Vibrant Life^® Director

Samantha Lehmann is Aspens at Fort Collins’ Vibrant Life® director. She has over a decade of experience in senior living services such as memory care, assisted living and skilled nursing settings. While she has served as a memory care director, administrator and case manager, her greatest joy has been working as an activity director and now the Vibrant Life® director! 

As a Certified Dementia Practitioner, she is well versed in the unique needs of each resident. Samantha spends her winters as an adaptive ski instructor, which has taught her how to work with any ability and modality. She understands the importance of creating programs around people and their specific needs. She loves challenging herself and others to be inspired daily. Samantha’s creativity and patience allow her to offer a loving and welcoming Vibrant Life® program each day. 

Her grandmother, who suffered with dementia for many years, is ever present in her mind and inspires her work in the senior living industry. Every day, she is reminded that those she helps could be someone’s “Grandma Betty.”

Chad Moore

Building Services Director

Chad Moore is the Building Services director at Aspens at Fort Collins, which means that his mission is to ensure all buildings are operating properly while providing a safe and secure environment throughout the community. Chad’s goal is to always provide unparalleled customer service and constantly advocate for the residents and their comfort, safety and well-being.

Now this is living ... senior living!

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