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Meet the Team
Teri Mayo
Executive Director
Teri Mayo, LMT
Teri has owned rehabilitative practices for 27 years as a massage therapist, including a medical massage clinic that employed 19 therapists and staff. After a shift to health care administration with Swedish Medical Group and Seattle Children’s Hospital for several years, Teri was happy to move back into the word rehabilitative services when she joined PB in the fall of 2019.
Teri brings a background in business and team management, and professional mentoring; she enjoys bringing her strategic vision, business expertise, and non-profit board/fundraising experience to Pushing Boundaries. She loves working with the clients, board, staff, and volunteers to help push Pushing Boundaries into the potential that lies ahead.
In her spare time, Teri enjoys listening to jazz, cooking, traveling, and hanging out with her spouse and two chocolate labs.
Kristen Knight
Programs Manager
Kristen Knight, MS, NSCA-CSCS, ACSM/NCHPAD CIFT
Kristen graduated from Salem State University in Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport and Movement Science, with a focus on fitness and wellness and a minor in Psychology. She also has a Master's in Sport Administration and Management from the University of Northern Colorado.
She has over 12 years of personal training experience, is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and is a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. Kristen’s experience as a personal trainer has helped her develop a passion for helping others with their health and fitness goals so that they can live their happiest and healthiest lives possible.
Ellen Sontra
Development Director
Ellen Sontra
Ellen has a passion for helping others and serving the greater community through her occupation. Since graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in Communication, she has worked in development for both the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
This experience, plus many years as a small business owner, makes her excited to be part of the PB team. She truly enjoys the ability to wear many hats and bring creativity to the workplace each day…all while pursuing her love for fundraising. In her spare time, Ellen enjoys spending time with her family, growing backyard veggies, and combing any beach she can find.
Kevin Carpenter
Senior Exercise Therapist
Kevin Carpenter, BS, ACSM/EP, ACSM/NCHPAD CIFT
Kevin graduated from the University of Mary with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, focusing on Clinical Exercise Physiology. Kevin is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine and is also a Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer. While in school, Kevin was a two-time academic All-American for the Marauder’s cross-country team. When he wasn’t tearing up the roads during the school year, he spent his time in the University of Mary’s free health clinic that the students operated for the surrounding community. Kevin spends his spare time searching for new places he hasn’t been before, reading, and playing the drums.
Sumi Uchiage
Senior Exercise Therapist
Sumi Uchiage, BHK, BCAK, ACSM/NCHPAD CIFT
Sumi graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics, majoring in Kinesiology. She worked as a Kinesiologist, personal trainer and Rehab Assistant for 6 years in Vancouver before moving to Seattle. Her clientele ranged from the clinical population to elite athletes. Sumi is a 9x Karate National Champion and has competed internationally as a member of the Canadian national team for 15 years. Her love of sports and fitness has led to her passion of using exercise as a means to achieve benefits in health and wellness. Sumi strongly believes in the power of exercise and its impact on PB clients.
Michael LaTour
Special Projects
Michael LaTour
Michael's philosophy of service-based professionalism is well aligned with Pushing Boundaries' Mission. His awareness of the specific challenges of the PB community are informed by his own family: Michael witnessed and participated in the care of his father, who navigated both a Spinal Cord Injury and two separate Traumatic Brain Injuries while Michael was growing up.
Combining that history with 25 years of project management, 13 years of board development, 10 years of healthcare advocacy, and 8 years of teaching, his role at PB allows him to be the 'Jack of all Trades" that he adores. Whether he's changing a light bulb or building a development plan, his excitement in serving the PB community never diminishes.
In his spare time, Michael is passionate about travel, gardening, British television, and any and all cookies.
Jonathan Resuello
Exercise Therapist
Jonathan Resuello, BA,
ACE-SFS, NETA, CIFT
Jonathan graduated from Washington State University majoring in accounting. After several years of public accounting, Jonathan knew it was not for him and made a career change focusing on the health and fitness industry. With nearly a decade of experience leading yoga classes, and four years of exercise training Jonathan has developed a care and solicitude for his clients to succeed and live healthy, well-meaning lives. Understanding the importance of movement and fitness as we age, Jonathan has extensive experience working with our senior citizens and has supplemented such with senior fitness specialty certification. Outside of PB, Jonathan enjoys travel, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Sage Partida
Exercise Therapist
Sage Partida, BS,
ACSM/ NCHPAD CIFT
Sage graduated from Bastyr University with a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Wellness. Growing up an all-around athlete helped develop his strong passion for exercise and sports, leading him to work with professional, collegiate, and young athletes. Working with family members who have muscular dystrophy (and others), paired with continuous research guides him to helping others. Sage's exercise philosophy is rooted in empowerment- which serves him well in the PB community. He is committed to helping every individual to achieve their wellness goals and healthy living. In his spare time, Sage loves training his fur babies, listening/dancing to music, eating, and bodybuilding.
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Tavis Duncan
Exercise Therapy Apprentice
Tavis Duncan
Tavis Duncan is a born and raised Seattleite who earned his bachelor’s in biology with an emphasis in Kinesiology, Medicine, and Health from the University of Washington. He has grown up exposed to many situations involving individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities through his time volunteering at Crista Ministries, Ronald McDonald House, hospice care in the Seattle area, and working at the UW Northwest Outpatient Therapies. In line with his previous experiences, Tavis wishes to pursue a doctorate in Physical Therapy specializing in neuromuscular rehab and chronic pain management. He believes the specialized mission of Pushing Boundaries parallels his pursuit and will make him a better clinician. In his spare time, he enjoys a variety of things: Sports (outdoor & indoor), weightlifting, music, audio design, language, cooking, board games, video games, and trivia. In addition, Tavis is open to and readily accepts new opportunities that come his way.
Meet the Board
Le Ann Yoder
Board President
Le Ann Yoder has a combined twenty years of operations and client services experience within organizations ranging from technology startups to large international financial institutions. Currently, with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, she is the Mobile Mammography Operations and Administrative Manager in Imaging, Procedure Suite, and Pulmonary Function. In this role, she provides leadership and support to empower staff: providing timely and accurate patient care. as well as organizational support.
Le Ann has served on several committees and boards throughout her career, with a focus on development, expansion, and growth. Le Ann's current volunteerism with Pushing Boundaries is driven by her desire to see the organization continue to grow- expanding PB's reach and profile, while also expanding access to services.
Andrea Tobon
Board Treasurer
Andrea is a passionate community advocate with a particular interest in strategic and fiscal planning. In addition to her current role as a Senior Financial Analyst with Amazon, Andrea has consistently volunteered within the local community for over 12 years- splitting her time between disability services, youth advocacy, and mentorship. Organizations that Andrea has worked with include Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Built By Girls, and United Way of King County. In addition to her service to the Pushing Boundaries Board, Andrea also sits on the Board of Global Visionaries, a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower the youth to be socially and environmentally conscious global leaders.
Rachel Gaura
Board Secretary
Rachel Gaura earned her Executive Master's in Healthcare Administration degree from the University of Washington and has more than 12 years of leadership experience in both clinical and administrative roles in various healthcare settings. Currently, she is focused on improving population health, applying her education and experience in a new role to promote value-based care. Working closely with our community health partners supports her ability to develop strong relationships to benefit and meet the needs of individuals.
Rachel is passionate about Pushing Boundaries' mission and is excited to be elected and serve as Secretary of our board. She lovingly pushes PB's boundaries while aiming to strengthen our strategic planning for a sustainable future. Rachel prioritizes DEI initiatives and continuously works to be mindful of the differences that make us each unique, believing that inclusion leads to improved collaboration and outcomes, for all.
Sharon Northrup
Director; Founder
With 40+ years of Office Management/Bookkeeping experience, Sharon has been a vital an integral part of Pushing Boundaries since its inception. Sharon holds a B.A. from Nebraska Wesleyan.
Sharon and her late husband Allan founded Pushing Boundaries after Allan sustained a spinal cord injury. Sharon was instrumental since our inception in applying the knowledge, passion and real-life experience to make Pushing Boundaries what it is today. She is also a member of Bellevue LifeSpring, a non-profit organization.
You will often see Sharon helping out around the office, supporting clients and their caregivers, and surprising staff with lunch.
Tom Minty
Director
Tom Minty has been a Realtor® with a passion for barrier-free housing for over 15 years. In 2004 in response to the needs of a good friend with MS, he established ABLE environments, a full-service company founded to address the serious need for real estate expertise on issues of accessible living, housing decisions for our aging population, and the promotion of Universal Design in the mainstream housing industry. Most recently, Tom has partnered with Barry Long to create and implement searchable, accessible criteria in the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. Tom is serving his second term on the Seattle-King County Aging and Disabilities Advisory Council and is a Charter Member of the Northwest Universal Design Council.
Steven Anglés
Director
Steven is an attorney whose law practice focuses on representing individuals with complex and catastrophic injuries. He is a partner at the law firm of Adler Giersch, nationally renowned for their advocacy of clients with brain and spinal cord injuries. Most notably, the firm was responsible for the “Return to Play” Law for students after their client, Zackery Lystedt, sustained life-altering concussions during a middle school football game.
Steven’s practice takes him across the PNW, from Seattle to the East Side and far beyond. He also manages an office in Kent dedicated to the South Sound, with additional resources and language skills to support the Latinx community. After 20 years in practice, he has a unique understanding of the care and effort it takes to help restore hope and rebuild lives after life-changing injuries. Working with Pushing Boundaries is a natural extension of honoring his clients and the tireless pursuit of exceptional results.
Marci Muhlestein
Director
Marci Muhlestein has an extensive background in rehab medicine, disability services, and non-profit leadership. With more than 25 years of experience working in the disability community, Marci is currently the Executive Director at Community Homes. Community Homes provides, promotes, and sustains exceptional community-based housing and education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to her current role, Marci has been an Occupational Therapist, Special Educator, a Managing Director of housing and education, and an Associate Dean at Bellevue College.
Serving the Pushing Boundaries community allows Marci to integrate many aspects of her professional experience, from rehab therapy to non-profit leadership.
Nancy Nicholas
Director
Nancy Nicholas is a retired executive of the Boeing Company where she began her career in research and development and culminated in program management. She has been a client of Pushing Boundaries since 2013 and is passionate about the work they do to bring exercise therapy to the paralysis community.
While eager to stay fit and healthy, Nancy also leverages her scientific training and personal experience to improve the lives of others living with spinal cord injury by serving as the Spinal Cord Injury Community Liaison for the Blackmore Lab at Marquette University, by sharing her lived experience with researchers at the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) in Vancouver, Canada, and as a member of the Harborview Medical Center Assistive Technology Laboratory Advisory Board.
Wilfred James
Director
Wilfred James has over twenty-five years of program and account management experience in the Communications and High-Tech industries. Currently a Senior Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships with Asurion, his background also includes key roles with Accenture, T-Mobile, and AT&T. Wilfred is an active member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), frequently speaks at PMI development conferences, and recently served as the Vice President of Programs for its Seattle Chapter.
Wilfred's passion for event-based fundraising has benefited organizations such as InterIm CDA, Children’s Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund, Children International, Mary Queen of Peace Church, and The Society of St. Vincent DePaul. Jumping right in as the Co-Chair for the Fundraising and Events Committee, Wilfred is excited to support the PB community.
Sarah Shultz, PhD
Director
Sarah has lived the life of an academic, spending the past 15 years studying human movement at various universities across the US and abroad. She is currently the Kinesiology Department Chair at Seattle University, where she leads a group of faculty and staff who are dedicated to the concept, “Exercise for Life, Exercise for Everyone”.
As a professor of biomechanics, Sarah has spent much of her career focused on understanding the orthopedic complications that challenge vulnerable populations to be physically active. The opportunity to match her background and passion with the incredible work happening at Pushing Boundaries was serendipitous; she is excited to be a board member for this amazing organization.
Teri Mayo, LMT
Director