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Meet the team
Amanda Koppes, MPT
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Amanda graduated from St. Mary’s College of California with a BS in Health Science and went on to receive her Masters in Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt College. She began her career as an inpatient rehab therapist at John Muir Hospital working with adults with neurological and orthopedic injuries and diseases. After a move to Seattle, she worked on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Seattle Children’s hospital, specializing in patients with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, and traumatic injuries. After leaving active practice, she has spent the last nearly 2 decades working in various non-profit environments and has extensive knowledge around fundraising, event planning, and development. She is extremely excited to be at Pushing Boundaries where she gets marry her passion for working with this community and her love of development, events, and fundraising. When not at work, she is usually found in her garage woodshop, indulging her hobby as an amateur woodworker, in the bleachers cheering on one of her sons on the baseball field, or just enjoying time with her family.
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Amanda Koppes
Interim Executive Director
Amanda Koppes, MPT
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Amanda graduated from St. Mary’s College of California with a BS in Health Science and went on to receive her Masters in Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt College. She began her career as an inpatient rehab therapist at John Muir Hospital working with adults with neurological and orthopedic injuries and diseases. After a move to Seattle, she worked on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Seattle Children’s hospital, specializing in patients with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, and traumatic injuries. After leaving active practice, she has spent the last nearly 2 decades working in various non-profit environments and has extensive knowledge around fundraising, event planning, and development. She is extremely excited to be at Pushing Boundaries where she gets marry her passion for working with this community and her love of development, events, and fundraising. When not at work, she is usually found in her garage woodshop, indulging her hobby as an amateur woodworker, in the bleachers cheering on one of her sons on the baseball field, or just enjoying time with her family.
Teri Mayo
Executive Leadership Advisor
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 served as the Executive Director of Pushing Boundaries from 2019-2025. Teri is currently the Executive Director of The Massage Therapy Foundation, a national organization dedicated to advancing massage therapy's knowledge and practice by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.
Teri is delighted to continue her support of the Pushing Boundaries community in this role.
In her spare time, Teri enjoys listening to jazz, cooking, traveling, and hanging out with her spouse and two chocolate labs.
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Caleb Volkoff
Exercise Therapist
Caleb Volkoff, BS, ACE CPT, ATA-AIT
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Caleb Volkoff holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Physiology from Central Washington University, where he studied how healthy and clinical populations react to exercise, rehabilitation, inactivity and disease. After graduation, he started personal training in a physical therapy orthopedic clinic, which included pre- and post-surgical rehababilitation. Working with individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities fueled his love for functional training and therapeutic exercise. Caleb sees Pushing Boundaries’ mission as a perfect fit for his future growth in neurological rehab and feeds his drive to understand the human body. Outside of work, he enjoys mountain biking, hiking, weightlifting, solving puzzles, experimenting with recipes and photography. He is dedicated to inspiring clients at Pushing Boundries and motivating them through the power of movement.
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Pia Richards
Exercise Therapist
Pia Richards, MS, ACSM CPT, ATA-AIT
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Pia graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science followed by a Master’s in Kinesiology. During her time at WSU, Pia worked in the Exercise Physiology and Performance Laboratory and taught two undergraduate kinesiology courses - introductory jogging and health & wellness. When she wasn’t studying, she was competing in cross country and track and field, with her main event being the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Prior to joining the Pushing Boundaries team, she worked as the director of operations and assistant women’s distance coach for her alma mater’s cross country and track and field teams. Pia is excited to shift her focus toward her passion of improving people's quality of life through movement and exercise. In her spare time, she runs for fun, rock climbs, plays soccer, hikes, and dabbles in a variety of arts and crafts like sewing, knitting and crocheting.
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Laetitia Celli
Exercise Therapist
Laetitia Celli, PhD. NASCM, AIT
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Laetitia holds a PhD in Life and Health Sciences from the University of Lorraine in France, with a specialization in Neurosciences, Biomechanics, and Ergonomics. She also has a degree in Adapted Physical Activity and Health. Before relocating to the U.S., Laetitia spent eight years working as a Human Factors and Ergonomics Project Manager for a major French company. In this role, she developed strong expertise in understanding users’ needs and designing solutions to enhance well-being and performance.
She now combines her background in research, ergonomics, and adapted physical activity to support individuals with disabilities and those recovering from injury. She is passionate about helping clients improve their mobility, strength, and confidence through personalized exercise programs.
Outside of work, Laetitia enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with her family and staying active through running and fitness activities.
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Sumi Uchiage
Programs Manager
Lead Exercise Therapist
Sumi Uchiage, BHK, 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 six years in Vancouver before moving to Seattle. Her clientele ranged from the clinical population to elite athletes. Sumi is a nine-time 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 Pushing Boundaries' clients.
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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 trails during the school year, he spent his time in the University of Mary’s student operated free health clinic benefitting the surrounding community. Kevin spends his spare time searching for new places and points of interest, reading and playing drums
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James Scott
Senior Exercise Therapist
James Scott, BS, ACSM-CPT, AIT, CF-L1, USAW-L1
James Scott is a movement professional committed to living a service-oriented life and helping others improve their quality of life through intentional, evidence-based care. He holds a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University and brings a diverse background in biomedical research, exercise physiology, and performance laboratory settings to his work. He spent two years teaching Kinesiology and exercise physiology courses at WSU, strengthening his ability to educate, mentor, and connect with those he serves.
James coached CrossFit, Powerlifting, and Adaptive Functional Fitness, working with individuals across a wide range of abilities and goals. At Pushing Boundaries, his focus is on serving the community through thoughtful, encouraging therapy sessions that prioritize education, empowerment, and long-term well-being. He strives to create an environment where people feel supported, capable, and confident in their ability to move and live better.
Outside of his work, James enjoys training in the gym, trail running, and spending quality time with his wife.
Meet the board
Annie LaCroix
Board President
Annie is a massage school owner and educator. She has been in the massage therapy profession for the last 20 years. Throughout the course of her massage career, Annie has volunteered with numerous organizations including The American Massage Therapy Association, the Massage Therapy Foundation and Healwell.
Annie has a Master's of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States.
Sharon Northrup
Director & Founder
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.​
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With more than 40 years of office management and bookkeeping experience, Sharon has been a vital and integral part of Pushing Boundaries, helping wherever needed, supporting clients and their caregivers and surprising staff with lunch. Sharon holds a Bachelor of Arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Nancy Nicholas
Nancy Nicholas is a retired executive of The Boeing Company where she began her career in research and development and culminated in program management. As a former client of Pushing Boundaries, she is passionate about bringing 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, sharing her 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.
Director
Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy is a retired financial executive and certified public accountant with more than 35 of years of service at The Boeing Company. Born and raised in Seattle, Kevin received both his undergraduate and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington. He served as, where he a board member of the Accounting Development Fund for the University of Washington School of Business. He also remains active as a supporter of the University’s Meany Center for the Performing Arts.
Board Treasurer
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Heather Galgon, MD
Dr. Heather Galgon, a native of Philadelphia, loves calling the Pacific Northwest her home. She is a spine and sports physician at the Swedish Issaquah Campus, trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Heather has a passion for helping others identify their barriers to health and wellness, allowing for the optimization of their individual performance goals. She is the proud mother of four children who keep her busy with lacrosse tournaments and hockey games. She enjoys running with her dog, a rowdy card game with friends and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Director
Advisory Committee
Kellye Testy
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Kellye Y. Testy is the president and chief executive officer of the Law School Admission Council. She leads the organization in its committed efforts to advance law and justice by encouraging diverse, talented individuals to study law and by supporting their enrollment and learning journeys from prelaw through practice. In addition to her role at LSAC, she is currently an adjunct professor of law at George Mason University, the Antonin Scalia Law School. Testy joined LSAC after leading the University of Washington School of Law for eight years as the school’s first female dean. She is a nationally sought-after speaker on leadership and legal education, diversity and access and corporate law and governance. Kellye has received numerous honors and award for her teaching, leadership and service.
Testy earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Indiana University in Bloomington, and her law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law—Bloomington. She currently serves on the boards of the Washington Law Institute and the Law School Survey of Student Engagement at Indiana University
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Irene Young, MD
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Dr. Young has been caring for patients on Seattle's Eastside since 2001. She enjoys treating adult and adolescents with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, non-surgical approach to musculoskeletal/sports and spine issues. She works to educate her patients about their health conditions, perform precise diagnostic tests and recommend appropriate treatment. She believes in giving patients ample information about their specific conditions and then allowing them to make the healthcare decisions that best fit their personal situation. Dr. Young was selected by Seattle Magazine as a Top Doctor in 2022.
Erik Waterland, DPT
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Bio Coming Soon.
