About Our Staff

Katie Hurstwicker founded Arizona Lionhearts with both professional expertise and lived experience — she is the parent of two children with developmental disabilities and a 25-year veteran social worker holding an Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.

Her career spans home health, mental health, cancer wellness, and administration. She previously served as Executive Director of the Cancer Wellness House of Salt Lake City and later as Programs Director overseeing 200 staff delivering home and community-based services in Arizona. She has also consulted on HCBS program development and implementation.

As CEO of Arizona Lionhearts, Katie is committed to compassionate, innovative solutions that empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to thrive.

Jorge Henriquez, our Director of Operations, brings extensive leadership experience as a former Regional Manager of international customer care teams. He holds an MBA, a Bachelor's in Marketing, and certifications in Ontological Coaching, Experiential Facilitation, Team Management, and Leadership Development.

As founder of PlayWay Learning, Jorge has helped over 100 leaders strengthen soft skills and build resilient teams through experiential education. He believes leadership is a skill everyone possesses — and his work reflects that conviction.

At Arizona Lionhearts, Jorge applies his expertise in team building, organizational culture, and people development to support our staff and the individuals we serve with compassion, attention to detail, and operational excellence.

Taylor Tacchia brings extensive experience and genuine compassion to her role as Director of Advocacy and Training at Arizona Lionhearts. A Capella University graduate, she has spent her career supporting individuals with special needs and vulnerable families across Arizona.

Taylor's background includes years as a Behavior Technician providing ABA therapy for individuals with Autism, and work as a Family Case Manager connecting families with critical services. 

At Arizona Lionhearts, Taylor oversees advocacy for the families we serve, guiding them through DDD and ALTCS services, providing IEP support, and connecting them with state and private resources to meet their unique needs. She also develops and leads comprehensive training programs — including CPR/First Aid, Article 9, and Direct Care Worker and Habilitation trainings — that equip our team to deliver exceptional care.