A Fresh Take on Senior Living in Lakewood

Diego Barrantes was born in Costa Rica but has lived most of his life in Dallas, Texas and California. About six years ago, Diego decided to move to Colorado for a change. His fascination with the outdoors and mountains helped him make this decision. Diego tells us, “I made a career change 12 years ago and never looked back. I worked for a lot of my life in the hospitality industry and felt I needed a change. Senior living gave me a new purpose in life.” Diego started his career in senior living about 12 years ago as a Food and Beverage Director. During the 12 years, Diego has been an Executive and Regional Director and he said he had the pleasure of working with some fantastic people. Diego holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in marketing from South Methodist University. Diego has three kids, and they are “his world.” “They teach me so much. I am a huge believer that to be able to gain success, compassion and determination are great tools that every leader must have.”

An adventurer at heart and a self-proclaimed “Jack of all Trades”, Bre Potter comes to Village at Belmar with a diverse professional background. From nanny to non-profits, from sales to professional makeup artist, she approaches each job with a curious mind and open heart. She is eager to bring her nearly decade of experience in healthcare administration to the team at Village at Belmar. She finds purpose in fostering strong community ties and building genuine relationships. As a Colorado native she loves to spend her free time hiking and camping in the magical Rocky Mountains. Shen she’s not out in nature; she is often found with her nose in a book (or sketchbook) or elbow deep in her garden. She shares a stepson with her partner and is a fur mom to two cats and one dog.

Brittany is a 5th generation Colorado Native born and raised in Minturn, CO. She grew up enjoying the many seasons of outdoor adventures such as skiing, hiking, camping and is proud to say she has built an Igloo in the mountains of Leadville and slept in it overnight. Brittany has been in healthcare since 2013 after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Health Management where she began her healthcare career in home health, hospice, and retirement communities. Brittany lived in Fort Collins for over 17 years where she established roots in her community and proudly served on the committee for a Sharing the Care and as Vice Chair for the local non-profit organization Elder Care Network of Northern Colorado, which hosts Senior Law Day at Colorado state university. Brittany is an avid animal lover and has volunteered her time rescuing and fostering dogs for Colorado Pug rescue and Out Paws animal rescue. Brittany spends her free time her time with her friends, but most enjoys being with her family, husband and their Pitbull “Boots” and Pug “Leilani” at their family cabin by the Royal Gorge.

Cassidy Strait is the Sales Advisor at Village at Belmar and brings over 7 years of experience in senior living. With a true passion for helping older adults and their families, she is committed to making the transition into senior living as smooth and supportive as possible. Cassidy is known for her warm, approachable nature and her ability to build meaningful relationships throughout the process. While she now calls Colorado home, Cassidy was born in Utah and grew up in Minnesota, so she’s no stranger to snowy winters and a good hot dish. When she’s not at work, she loves traveling with her husband, hanging out with their fur babies, spending time with family, and escaping to the mountains any chance she gets. Cassidy is proud to be part of the Village at Belmar team and looks forward to welcoming you with kindness, experience, and a smile.

Hello my name is Danuel Smith, I am a native of Colorado. I come from a large family with eight brothers and four sisters. Although my parents are no longer here, they would have been married about 65 years. I have been working in the Long-term Care industry for 30 years, and love spending time in this environment. I am a Broncos fan and I enjoy home improvement and spending time at home with my wife and kids.

Erin is a Colorado native, born and raised in Wheat Ridge. One of Erin’s favorite treasures is her 2-year-old puppy Zeus that she and her boyfriend raise. Erin has been in Senior Living for over 5 years and has been with the Village at Belmar for the past two years. We have had the ability to watch Erin grow and over this past month she has really stepped up to the plate and shown that she has a great desire and vision for how to engage our independent living residents. In speaking with Erin she explained, “I couldn’t be happier to have grown within such a great company and getting to know and work with such amazing people. I appreciate this opportunity and will do my best work to enrich your lives in this community.”

Mando was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He got into senior living about 6 years ago as a cook. I enjoy cooking for the residents because of the joy they get from tasting my food and always having an “unfiltered” audience to give me all the feedback I can take. I have always been into culinary arts but didn’t decide to take it seriously until after my first child. I want to show them that you can do whatever you love to do and for me that is being a chef. Outside of work I love the outdoors I love sports and spending time with growing family with 2 kids and 1 on the way; to me that is the most important thing in life. I Graduated from Denver North High School in 2006 and went on to go to college for business management before realizing very quickly that I was more of a chef than an office manager. A quote I live by is “Do what you love and love what you do”.

Mariah Gibson is our Executive Chef at Village at Belmar and is 23 years young. “I am a passionate chef with a deep love for creating delicious food and desserts that challenge and expand people’s palates. My journey into the culinary world began with a fascination for how flavors can come together to create unforgettable experiences. I’m driven by the joy of introducing new tastes and textures to those I cook for, hoping to spark excitement and curiosity around food.” When she’s not in the kitchen, she is at home with her two beloved cats, who keep life interesting. “I’m also an avid collector of skull-themed items, a quirky passion that adds a unique touch to my personal style. Whether I’m preparing a savory dish or a decadent dessert, my goal is always the same: to create something extraordinary that leaves a lasting impression. Through my work, I aim to inspire and elevate the culinary experience for everyone I meet.”

With a rich career spanning pediatrics and geriatrics, particularly in dementia care, Tori brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as the Health Services Director at The Village of Belmar. She has had the privilege of working across various facets of healthcare, seamlessly integrating this diverse expertise to enhance the lives of residents in their current setting. Tori is deeply passionate about advocating for residents and ensuring they receive quality, individualized care. Her commitment to marrying insights from pediatric and geriatric care allows them to provide comprehensive support tailored to the unique needs of each resident. She is driven by a profound dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a nurturing environment for all residents. Outside of professional duties, she enjoys tending to her many plants, exploring the vibrant city of Denver, and embracing new experiences.

“Hello, my name is Angelina DiBeasi. I was born and raised in the Chicago Suburbs and recently made the move to Colorado. After visiting and instantly falling in love with the mountains, the community, and the lifestyle, my partner and I decided to make Colorado our home. I have a very loveable Miniature Dachshund! In my free time, I enjoy reading, crime shows and traveling around the world. My passion is working with seniors. I began working in senior living as a server at 17 years old, and from the very first day, I knew it was where I belonged. Building relationships, supporting others, and helping create meaningful moments continues to inspire me every day.”