Leadership
Bryce Pearson
Owner
Bryce founded the company in April 2011. His favorite part of the job is seeing someone who has struggled throughout life come to Novum Supports where they start believing in themselves and begin enjoying life rather than just surviving. He finds it humbling to be part of such meaningful work and appreciates that he gets to make an impact on people’s lives. He loves being an entrepreneur and helping others. In addition to his experience in the industry, Bryce has a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. In his free time, Bryce enjoys spending time with his kids. His hobbies and interests include playing golf, sports, travel, cats, and food. His mantra: never stop dreaming and learning.
Annika Madsen
CEO
Annika is our CEO at Novum supports, having started in February 2019. She has over 10 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. Annika has a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, which taught her how to utilize activity and community based interventions to improve physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs of clients. Annika is passionate about advocating for her clients and feels honored to be part of both the big milestones and everyday moments in their lives. She finds joy in celebrating their strengths, resiliency, and individuality. Outside of work, Annika enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and being with her cats, Stevie and Spooky. She treasures time with her family and enjoys crafting, sewing, gardening, and learning about herbalism.
Connor Walker
Executive Director
Connor is our Executive Director at Novum Supports, having started in February 2024. He loves making genuine connections and having the opportunity to invest in our client’s lives. To his core, Connor enjoys helping people. He has years of experience handling escalations, building and managing teams, and finding solutions across various industries. Connor has a bachelor’s degree in technology management and Master’s of Business Administration. He is a certified Mandt instructor, which teaches prevention and de-escalation concepts to help people safely manage behavior. Connor is also a certified First Aid and CPR instructor. Connor loves basketball, documentaries, carrot cake, and animals. He is actively trying to find a way to set up a bearded dragon exhibit in our office. Connor enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter out in the community, at the zoo, aquarium, or farmer’s market!
Laycee Holt
Senior Operations Manager
Laycee is our Senior Operations Manager, having started in August 2025. Laycee has been in the field for 5 years, starting as a direct support professional and receptionist. She specializes in Host Home Programs and has experience with Special Education. Laycee has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and rewards of welcoming someone into your home. She loves building strong bonds with clients and watching them achieve long-awaited goals, from getting a driver’s license to walking without assistance. Inspired by her mother, who was a Medical Assistant, Laycee knew from a young age she wanted to help others. In her free time, she enjoys sketching and other art forms, playing video games, exploring new restaurants, and learning about tornado history, specifically in Utah. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, a caramel latte with an egg sandwich, and time with loved ones on a scenic drive through the canyon.
Jesse Taylor
Host Home Manager
Jesse is our Host Home Manager, having started in December of 2025. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education at Weber State University, with plans to continue on to earn a Master’s degree and become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA.) Her favorite part of the job is the individuality each client brings and the fun they add to each day. She enjoys discovering what works best for each individual. Jesse loves that no two day are the same and that each day brings new learning, challenges, and opportunities to connect with others. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her golden retriever, baking, reading, watching movies and TV shows, and doing puzzles. Her perfect day includes a morning walk with her dog, time spent reading, and ending the day with a good movie.
Sydney Upchurch
Day Program Manager
Sydney is our Day Program Manager having started in September of 2025. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Exercise Science. Sydney’s journey into this field began with volunteering in inclusive cheerleading and Special Olympics events, which sparked a deeper interest in working with individuals with disabilities. She brings a wide range of experience from roles including lift operator, zipline guide, and working in summer camps and post-high transition programs for individuals with ASD. Sydney’s favorite part of the job is creating genuine connections with clients, empowering them, and supporting them in achieving their goals. She is especially passionate about helping individuals build independence, confidence, and personal responsibility, and finds it incredibly rewarding to watch clients grow and succeed. In her free time, she enjoys drinking iced americanos, camping, snowboarding, climbing, paddle boarding, traveling, and picnics in the park.
Anya Gaisford
Compliance Manager
Anya is our Compliance Manager, having started in January 2021. Her favorite part of the job is helping those who cannot advocate for themselves. She enjoys doing the tedious paperwork and tasks that need to be done to ensure that our records and documentation are in order. Anya has experience with managing Medicaid and Social Security benefits and does an excellent job advocating for our client’s needs. Anya has a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. She previously worked as our host home manager and has hands-on experience working with the individuals we serve. In her free time, Anya loves to hang out with her family, travel and explore with her husband, spoil her cat, go outdoors and dance.
Cierra Berrie
Office Manager
Cierra is our Office Manager, having started in June 2025. Cierra has a strong background in administration and client support, having worked as both an Office Admin Assistant and Behavioral Assistant with a previous DSPD provider. In these roles, she managed client files, audited financial records, assisted with medical billing, and supported multiple departments. Cierra is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and Business Administration. She values the connections she has been able to build with our clients, especially cherishing the small moments of joy and encouragement they bring. Outside of work, Cierra enjoys PC gaming, roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons, and reading sci-fi and fantasy novels. Her perfect day would be a long gaming session with her best friend, plenty of snacks, and her three cats lounging nearby.
Casey Edison
Client Experience Manager
Casey is our Client Experience Manager, having started in 2014. Casey has experience working with our clients in a variety of settings, including group home, day program, host home, and individual day support. Casey has a keen ability to connect with our clients and invests the time and effort into building relationships and rapport with each individual we serve. Casey works hard to provide our clients with access to the community and activities that they might not be able to do on their own. His favorite part of his job is helping our clients live fulfilling lives. In his free time, Casey enjoys staying active and watching sports.
Anya Soper
Administrative Assistant
Anya Soper is our Administrative Assistant, having started in January 2021. Her favorite part of the job is helping those who cannot advocate for themselves. She enjoys doing the tedious paperwork and financial tasks that need to be done to ensure clients receive the care they deserve. Anya has a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy. She previously worked as our host home manager and has hands-on experience working with the individuals we serve. She has a deep understanding of our clients and works to assist them with maintaining eligibility for Medicaid services, food stamps, Social Security, and more. In her free time, Anya loves to hang out with her family, travel and explore with her husband, spoil her cat, go outdoors and dance.
