Meet the Team
Surrounding ourselves, our residents and our families with positive, compassionate, experts in Senior Living supports our mission of “Making a difference by cultivating purposeful connections-bringing joy and opportunity.” That’s why we select the highest quality candidates, true leaders that demonstrate our core values of Wisdom, Excellence, Purpose, Innovation, Integrity, Grace, Gratitude, and Synergy to join our Amaran Team.
Shellie Sims
Executive Director
I loved seniors from an early age and was blessed with a very close relationship with Bama, my grandmother. Naturally, this passion led me into a career of over 26 years in service to the senior population. As a native New Mexican, I grew up on my great grandparent’s pecan farm outside of Anthony NM, living next door to my maternal great grandparents and grandmother. As a child I had an affinity for elders and found myself drawn to them and into a career of loving and serving seniors. My passion has afforded me experience in many settings, including skilled nursing facilities, hospice, home health, assisted living, and memory care. I graduated from NMSU with a bachelor’s degree in community health/public health. I have been an administrator for assisted living and memory care communities over the past 5 years. I love the executive director role as it gives one the opportunity to lead influence and inspire a team who serve and love the seniors we are so honored to care for. I was drawn to Amaran because of their innovative approach to senior living, specifically the Intergenerational Montessori Programs. I believe our role on this planet is to enrich the lives of those we encounter.
I also have a passion for animals and I’m a mom to three amazing dogs. I love integrating pet therapy with seniors..
My goal is to provide seniors with a place to live in comfort, in a home which honors them while giving them the attention, love, and care necessary to live with dignity and joy.
Carla Jaime-Buenrostro
Business Office Manager
Lily Quiroz
Dining Services Director
Since I was a child, I have loved cooking, especially for my family. I still do, but now that I have added Amaran as my extended family, my kitchen table has grown a lot larger. I feel so fortunate that the universe aligned itself and the opportunity to work at Amaran came knocking at my door. Amaran is the first senior living community I’ve ever worked for, and I enjoy the combination of my love for food and serving our Elders.
I graduated from Le Cordon Blue in Los Angeles, CA and have over 20 years in the culinary & hospitality industry. When not cooking or baking, you can find me modifying cars and tending to my pets. Food is my love language.
Carolyn Hothan
Sales and Marketing Director
Growing up in the mountains of Placitas, New Mexico, I was surrounded by vast spaces where my friends and I could run and play freely. Those childhood days were filled with the warmth of community and the stories of our neighbors. These experiences taught me the importance of connection and the value of community, regardless of age.
This deep appreciation for community is what led me to Amaran. I was drawn to the idea of creating a space where residents could build their own stories and relationships, much like the ones I cherished from my childhood. Starting as the receptionist, I had the opportunity to connect with residents and their families, and now, as the Sales and Marketing Director, I’m able to cultivate these relationships from the very beginning.
Outside of work, I’m a proud mother of two amazing teenage boys. When we are not at a football or wrestling function you will find us at home relaxing. Balancing my professional life with the joys and challenges of motherhood keeps me busy, but it’s a life I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Duli Rivas
Activities Director
Being a part of Amaran has brought such joy to me—learning and listening to the residents, talk about family, jobs, relationships and hearing about all the things they’ve learned through their years and the wisdom they want to pass on, is one of the best parts of the job.
My passion and dedication to creating a great living environment for residents led me to the role of Activities Director with Amran Senior living. I have a background in art, media, and design and I hold a degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. With a deep appreciation for creativity and social interactions.
Providing the community with special events, outings, and daily mind, body, and spiritual programming that promote the physical and emotional well-being of residents.
I am dedicated to bringing new and creative ideas to the community, introducing fresh classes and activities that highlight the unique skills and talents of each resident. Whether through wellness programs, art workshops, or health initiatives, I strive to bring out joy and individual potential in every resident. My work is centered around enhancing the quality of life for every resident.
Tasleem Begum
Intergenerational Montessori Director
I am originally from India, where a deep respect for elders was instilled in me from a young age. Growing up, I cherished the time spent with my grandparents, especially during holidays when I took care of them with love and compassion. This upbringing fostered my strong connection to the elderly and their well-being.
With 5 years of experience as a Montessori teacher and 8 years overall in early childhood education, I now serve as an Intergenerational Montessori Director. In this role, I bring together children and senior residents, fostering meaningful intergenerational connections. I am particularly passionate about developing activities that enrich the lives of senior residents, especially those with dementia, drawing from both my professional experience and cultural background.
As I embark on my new journey in AMARAN senior assisted living, I am excited to continue my mission of nurturing and supporting the elderly, making a positive impact on their lives.
Ana Richardson
Health Services Director
Born and raised in Albuquerque, I’ve wanted to be a nurse all my life. I am nearly 19 years into my career and I still have so much more to learn. I did diverse types of floor nursing for the first 10 years of my career to develop my nursing skills. Then I worked as a Nurse Supervisor for a substance abuse company for 5 years and travelled the country training staff and auditing pharmacies. After that, I worked as an Assistant Director of Nursing in long term care up until coming to Amaran. In 2023 I was accepted into Marquis Who’s Who and listed as one of the top nurses of the year.
I have two daughters and two dogs, all of whom fill my life with joy and keep me on my toes! I love to hike as much as possible, preferably in a forest with water nearby. If I’m not hiking, I’m probably practicing yoga or watching baseball. Go Yankees!
Heather Grant
Business Office Manager
I have spent the entirety of my professional life following my heart. While this practice has never taken me in a straight line, it has always deposited me in exactly the place I was meant to be.
The common themes throughout my work history have been service, care and some form of organizational administrative leadership. I have always felt a deep affinity with Elders, and feel quite blessed to be able to both serve, and get to know those in our community. I value their wisdom, and love hearing the many stories of life reflected through their experience.
I came to New Mexico six years ago, led here by my passion for Argentine Tango. I have been involved with Tango as a dancer, instructor and organizer for almost twenty years, and have danced all over the world.
The opportunity to travel, the connections, and the therapeutic aspects to this dance, have kept me firmly in its embrace. Tango has been a powerful teacher for me. It’s the most effective, moving mindfulness meditation I have ever experienced, and I hope to be dancing well into my own elder years as they come.
I am delighted to have found my way to Amaran Senior Living. Working with this dedicated, committed team, serving our residents and being able to learn something every day, is a beautiful and meaningful way to move forward from here.
I am grateful.
Noel Pannell
Resident Care Coordinator
My passion for caregiving began in February 2022, when my father suffered an ischemic stroke, which left him paralyzed on the right side of his body. As a result, I stepped in to assist with his care, and it quickly became evident how profoundly this experience impacted both his life and mine. This personal experience led me to transition from a seven-year career in retail management to a position in caregiving. I joined Amaran Senior Living with a strong desire to contribute to the well-being of others.
Over the past two years, I have found great fulfillment in building meaningful relationships with the residents and their families. I began my journey as a Care Partner, then advanced to a Med Aide, and later took on the role of Administrative Assistant. Most recently, I was promoted to Resident Care Coordinator, where I continue to grow and make a positive impact in the lives of those I serve.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with friends, dancing, engaging in arts and crafts, attending comedy shows, and listening to music. I am often described as the life of the party, as I cherish laughter and enjoy creating a fun, light-hearted atmosphere for those around me.
Alaina Luna
Memory Care Coordinator
I am a compassionate and dedicated caregiver who has spent much of my life helping others. From a young age, I exhibited a deep sense of empathy and commitment to making the lives of those around me easier. I took care of my great grandmother for 2 years before her passing this drove me to the Healthcare field even more so. This passion led me to pursue a career in caregiving, starting as a caregiver while still in high school. Over the years, my love for supporting others continued to grow, and I transitioned into roles as a Medication Assistant and, eventually, as a Memory Care Coordinator.
In my current position, I specialize in providing care to individuals with memory-related challenges, ensuring they receive the personalized attention and support they need to live with dignity and comfort. My career is driven by a strong belief in the importance of human connection, and I am constantly inspired by the difference I can make in the lives of others.
Outside of work, I am a loving and supportive sister and fiancé. I share my life with my fiancé of four years and am also dedicated to caring for my younger sister and two beloved dogs. Balancing both my personal and professional life with grace, I am a true example of someone who leads with a caring heart and a spirit of service.
