Skip to Content

senior living team

Special People, Special Place

Our dedicated team members are special people who make community life a daily success for residents and their families. Enterprising, innovative, creative and caring, we never lose our focus: Making this a special place with an experience that seniors can’t get anywhere else. 

Complete the contact form to schedule a one-on-one conversation with a member of our team. 

Interested in joining our team? Check out our career opportunities.

Klint Burningham

Executive Director

Klint graduated from the University of Utah in 2013 with a B.A. in international business and a minor in Spanish. He spent two intensive semesters as an exchange student in Oviedo, Spain. Before she passed away, he lived with and cared for his grandmother, which inspires him to work directly with his care team to ensure they provide only the highest level of care. Klint brings with him unique experience from the hospitality industry, having worked at The Grand America here in Salt Lake City. A friend saw his potential and recruited him into senior living, where he has excelled as a top executive director and trainer. His family and friends say he brings life, laughter, and enthusiasm to any activity. He has a huge heart and great compassion for others, and his passion and energy are contagious.

Raven Storm

Director of Sales & Marketing

Raven was born in Maryland but spent most of his formative years in Ohio before coming to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. Throughout his career, his passion has been long-term memory care, bringing over three decades of experience in the field to our team at The Ridge Cottonwood. He understands the challenges those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia face, and he brings that expertise to our residents and families every day. Outside of work, Raven is inspired by the ballet, symphony, opera and theater. Raven is also a prominent leader in The Ridge Cottonwood’s dementia support group. He meets with caregivers and loved ones monthly to discuss dementia and Alzheimer’s in a safe and open environment. 

Christopher Cornelius

Director of Building Operations

Christopher is a technician with a Class B CDL certification and an integral part of The Ridge Cottonwood team. Born in Oklahoma, Christopher grew up in Tulsa before living in Denver, Phoenix and Albuquerque. Since joining our team, he’s become known to his colleagues as a dependable, passionate and positive professional. When he isn’t here working, Christopher practices his talent for drawing anything he can see — and sometimes even amazes himself. 

Chef Jackie Pappas

Culinary Director

A Utah resident for more than 30 years, Jackie has refined her culinary skills through various roles, including food manufacturing, restaurant management, and serving as the Utah State Capitol Catering Chef. A “foodie” herself, Jackie knows that great food is one of the best ways to get to residents’ hearts. Jackie is personable and genuine and works hard to keep residents happy. She holds an associate in applied science in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management from Salt Lake Community College’s Culinary Institute. Friends and family are important to Jackie, and she loves spending time with them. 

Cristi Gulbransen

Community Life Director

Cristi is passionate about helping people improve their quality of life. After completing personal training and nutrition courses, she spent 17 years coaching and managing local exercise facilities. She specialized in senior care and helped family members reach their health and fitness goals. In 2017, she began her career with The Ridge Cottonwood in the Tapestry neighborhood. Six months later, she started splitting her hours between assisted living and Tapestry. After a few years, she was promoted to community life director. She enjoys connecting with residents to make their lives more fulfilling and purposeful. 

Sonya Harmer, RN

Assisted Living Director

Sonya has more than 25 years of nursing experience, from acute care to emergency nursing to end-of-life nursing. Most recently, she was a Regional Vice President of Marketing for a hospice company. She is an advocate for residents and prides herself on collaborating and communicating with residents, families, and other team members. Her goal is to deliver excellence in resident health and care through continuity, application of best practices, and resident satisfaction. After hours and weekends, Sonya loves sports and the outdoors, including skiing, motocross, and time on her houseboat at Lake Powell. She’s the proud mother of four adult children who have blessed her with three grandchildren. She also has three fur babies — two pit bulls and a Pomeranian who runs the show at her house. 

Marisol Campos, RN BSN

Memory Support Director

Marisol is a graduate of the University of Utah, where she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is originally from Lima, Peru, and moved here with her parents and siblings. She’s passionate about her work with seniors and making their days the best possible. Her coworkers and friends recognize her kindness, positive attitude and hard work. Marisol is inspired by her children and family and is determined to become a better version of herself for them. 

Fernanda Naranjo

Sales Counselor

Fernanda was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She earned a business administration degree from the University of Guayaquil. Fernanda moved to the United States and began her career as a CNA in 2002. She’s worked in healthcare for more than 20 years — and at The Ridge Cottonwood since 2019. She’s always happy to help and has a passion for providing quality care to our senior population. Her greatest motivation is her four amazing children. She loves to travel in her spare time. She lives by the saying attributed to George Herbert: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” 

Gayla Buttars

Business Office Director

Gayla Buttars is known to roll up her sleeves and wholeheartedly throw herself into accomplishing what needs to be done. She returned to school at age 45 to complete her degree while she was still a full-time employee, wife and mother. She holds a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Weber State University and a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University. At The Ridge Cottonwood, she spreads cheer to residents, families and team members, making sure they get the love, care and respect they deserve. She’s most proud of her role as a wife, mother and grandmother to her beautiful granddaughter — her family means everything to her. 

Amanda Allen

Team Operations Director

In 2014, Amanda became a Care Partner and Health and Wellness Coordinator for residents here. As a CNA, she’s passionate about senior living and excited by her work as Team Operations Director. She hopes to share the joy of helping others with residents and her fellow team members. Amanda was born and raised in Utah, where she developed a love for the mountains at a young age. Utah’s beauty inspires her, and she’s happy raising her family in such an extraordinary place. 

Luxury Living Awaits

Start the Conversation

We’d love to hear your questions and help you explore how The Ridge Cottonwood can help you and your family. Get in touch and you’ll hear from us promptly.

emailConsent
interestInSisterCommunity
Schedule a Visit Back to Top Cost Calculator