Staff

Lincoln Folkers

Executive Director

Lincoln serves as the Executive Director of The Arc of Mesa County, where he brings both heart and sharp business acumen to his work advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Deeply rooted in Western Colorado, Lincoln is known for building strong relationships, navigating complex systems, and turning vision into action. His strategic mindset and entrepreneurial background fuel his commitment to long-term, sustainable change.

His leadership brings to life a vision to close service gaps and ensure supports are effective and reach those who need them most. Whether in the boardroom or in the community, Lincoln leads with purpose, compassion, and a drive to make every effort count.

Olivia Pilcher

Deputy Executive Director

Olivia brings over a decade of experience in social work, nonprofit leadership, and disability advocacy. She has led teams across the local, regional, and state levels, with a strong focus on rural communities and driving systems-level change. Her work centers on advancing equity, accessibility, and self-determination for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Olivia holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs from Northern Arizona University. Prior to joining The Arc Mesa County, Olivia served as Program Director at Second Wind Fund, where she led statewide initiatives to expand access to youth mental health. She also worked in disability rights advocacy, where she supported individuals with disabilities in understanding and advocating for their legal rights. Her background spans direct service, systems navigation, policy advocacy, and program development and leadership.

Sonia Gates

Advocate​

​Sonia is a passionate advocate and seasoned professional dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs. Born and raised in Farmington, NM, Sonia has spent her career supporting people of all ages and abilities—bridging the gap between education, advocacy, and access to community resources.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from New Mexico Highlands University and began her journey as a special education teacher in New Mexico. In 2014, Sonia moved to Grand Junction, where she led multiple teams for 6 years at the Grand Junction Regional Center, gaining invaluable experience in program leadership and disability services.

Motivated by her growing interest in leadership and systems change, Sonia earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2023. She now brings a unique blend of frontline experience, strategic leadership, and unwavering commitment to disability rights to her role at The Arc of Mesa County.