Meet Our Team
Justin Taft-Executive Director
As Executive Director of Brain Northwest, Justin provides strategic oversight and leads initiatives that advance the organization’s mission. He guides a collaborative team dedicated to strengthening educational programming for individuals with brain injuries and also oversees Brain NW’s Pooled Alliance Community Trust program. Drawing on expertise in strategic planning, education, financial management, and human resources, Justin works to expand opportunities and support for the communities Brain Northwest serves. He holds a BAS in Health Promotion and Education and a Master’s in Education with a focus on adult learning. In addition to his leadership role, Justin is a professor at Bellevue College, where he teaches courses in health equity, epidemiology, social justice in healthcare, and practicum preparation.
Regee Costanzo-Education
Regee Costanzo is the Resource Manager and Education Specialist at Brain Northwest. Her role focuses on fostering community connections by enhancing educational offerings, providing guidance on resources, and providing space for our community. She is certified as an occupational therapy assistant and a health and wellness coach. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Washington. Regee employs a collaborative, strengths-based approach to meet clients and community members where they are, helping to co-create a path toward healing and empowerment.
Angelina Corona-Trust Admin
Angelina Corona joined Brain Northwest as a Trust Administrator. She brings with her an extensive background in trust and estate administration, including a unique specialization in property and project management for ultra-high-net worth clients. Her acumen in administration and management allows her to contribute sound advice for our special needs pooled trust called P.A.C.T.; Pooled Alliance Community Trust. Angelina’s approach is efficient and conscientious. She is hands on with our special needs clients and enjoys providing a personalized experience for them as they navigate brain injuries and additional health challenges. While not at work, this Pacific Northwest native loves spending time along the sandy beaches of Lake Sammamish; and enjoys the wildlife it supports. She actively works with local agencies to be a voice for vulnerable adults, volunteers her time with cats who need forever homes, and assists wherever else she can be of help.
Board Members
Melissa Carter – President
Melissa Carter, Esq. is a dedicated attorney with over 25 years of trial experience, with a particular focus on cases involving traumatic brain injury. She frequently lectures within the legal community on topics surrounding medical-legal considerations in injury law, and how to effectively prepare and present cases involving complex brain injuries at trial. She is the current Managing Partner of the law firm of Adler Giersch, PS, a Pacific Northwest boutique law firm that is well known for its national legislative work in the area of brain injury prevention, advocating for safety in youth sports, and passionately advocating for brain injury survivors and their families in and out of the courtroom. Melissa’s legal expertise, combined with her personal experience of having a family member affected by a brain injury, brings a unique perspective to the board. She lives in Ballard with her husband and three children.
Mark Long – Treasurer
Mark Long is a CPA who specializes in individual and small business taxes as well as tax assistance for nonprofit organizations. Mark became involved with the organization initially to help straighten out tax matters but now has served on the board in a variety of roles including Treasurer several times and President. Mark’s involvement with the brain injured community was deepened with an injury to a now former employee as well as getting to know so many survivors. Mark also is very involved in the pooled special needs trusts (PACT) that the organization sponsors.
Mark loves activities with his partner and 2 Cardigan Welsh Corgis – especially enjoying agility with their younger dog, Bruce.
Dr. Ted Albrecht -Secretary
Dr. Ted Albrecht has dedicated his professional career to supporting individuals with brain injuries. His journey began with clinical training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, UCLA, and Kaiser Permanente, culminating in a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic, where he specialized in concussion treatment and management. Dr. Albrecht now directs the Sports Medicine Concussion Program at Northwest Return to Work.
A published author in leading scientific journals, Dr. Albrecht is actively engaged in research and initiatives aimed at advancing concussion care across Washington, Alaska, and the West Coast. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him on the golf course, playing basketball, or embracing his newfound Seattle sports fandom at local games.
Dana Lough
My connection to head injury is having a severe brain injury from a 1975 car crash, resulting in right side paralysis. I worked at Seattle’s VA hospital for 25 years. I am retired now and enjoying my time. I am a board member of the organization, & my initiation started in college. One can’t comprehend what a head injury does to a person unless they have experienced one. I am still with the organization because I want to give other head injured individuals all the support that I have gained to tell them, ” Just Don’t Give Up. Help is out there for you!”
Rebecca Schellings
Steve Broback
Steve Broback is the co-founder of Dent the Future, an organization that produces events and experiences focused on science, innovation, inspiration, and entrepreneurship. He is also the author of two books covering technology topics. Born in Seattle, Steve earned his degrees in economics and finance at the University of Washington.
Miranda Gendreau
Miranda Gendreau is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist with over 7 years of experience assessing and treating adults with speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing impairments. Over the course of her career, Miranda has worked in a variety of settings, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and in an intensive outpatient brain injury program. She started her private practice, PNW Brain Rehabilitation, in 2024 because she saw a need in the community for more access to speech therapy services for adults. Her hope is to fill at least a small part of that gap in services and provide functional treatment to help individuals reach their goals and improve their quality of life. Outside of work, Miranda is often hiking in the Pacific Northwest, planning her next travel adventure, or curled up with a book and her two fluffy cats.
Alan Barronian and Sheri Barronian
Alan and Sheri are the parents of a brain injured man. They became a part of the brain injury community after their son’s accident in 2012. Impressed with the support their son received from this organization, and the friendships he has enjoyed throughout the years, they decided to seek a position on the Board of Directors to help move the organization forward after some challenging times. They enjoy hosting a monthly support group and are looking forward to a future of growth and development to help those in this community who feel isolated, confused and alone. A brain injury of any kind is a life changing event.
Dr. Larissa Del Piero
Dr. Larissa Del Piero is a rehabilitation neuropsychologist and the owner of Pacific Brain Health & Wellness, a specialty mental health clinic based in Seattle. She is also a clinical assistant professor in the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr. Del Piero specializes in neuropsychological assessments to help people better understand their cognitive strengths and weaknesses to inform their medical care and improve their lives. She also provides evidence-based interventions including cognitive behavioral therapy focused on coping with chronic health conditions, pain, and changes in physical abilities linked to illness and injury. She has particular experience working with individuals of all ages who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. From 2020-2023, Dr. Del Piero served as the regional director for the VA Polytrauma/TBI program, overseeing brain injury programs throughout the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Del Piero is also an accomplished researcher, having authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and presentations in the areas of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology.
Alyssa Fornek
Alyssa Fornek is a traumatic brain injury survivor and passionate advocate for the brain injury community. Before her life was altered by a serious car accident in 2021, she earned her MBA from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and rose to become one of the youngest Directors at a Fortune 50 company.
While driving across the country to relocate for a career promotion, Alyssa’s car experienced an unexpected tire blowout at high speed and rolled over multiple times before finally landing upside down, leaving her with significant physical injuries and a severe brain injury. Her recovery journey included relearning essential cognitive skills such as reading and memory recall, confronting the challenges of PTSD and anxiety, adapting to ongoing symptoms like chronic migraines and light sensitivity, and ultimately rediscovering and embracing a new sense of self-identity.
Today, Alyssa lives a life with intention and channels her experience into advocacy and leadership, using her professional expertise and personal story to advance awareness, resources, and support for individuals impacted by brain injury. While her healing journey is ongoing and ever changing in new chapters of life, she is inspiration and living proof that life can be beautiful and full after a traumatic brain injury.
Barbara Barronian
Barbara is a retired corporate and healthcare attorney and neonatal intensive care nurse with an interest in health care policy, quality improvement and accessibility. She served as Assistant Attorney General with the Washington Attorney General’s Office, representing the Washington State Department of Health, the Health Care Authority, and Basic Health Plan advising on health care policy and legislative matters. She subsequently served as in-house counsel for The Regence Group and most recently as in-house counsel for MultiCare Health System from which she retired in 2021. Before obtaining her law degree, she worked as a nurse in the University of Washington, University of Utah and King Faisal Specialist Hospital neonatal intensive care units.
Barbara serves on the Board of the Tacoma-Pierce County League of Women Voters and volunteers with the Nourish Pierce County Food Bank.
She is the aunt of a nephew who suffers from a traumatic brain injury and is eager to support the incredible work of Brain Northwest.
Valerie Wootton
My son suffered an anoxic brain injury in 1997. That was my introduction to the brain injury community and trying to find services and housing for him. Through a chance meeting with a support group facilitator in Bellingham, I learned about The Brain Injury Association, now Brain NW. I eventually joined the BIAWA board and got involved with the TBI Project Advisory Board to implement the Federal TBI Grant awarded to Washington. I was appointed to the TBI Advisory Council in 2007, serving two terms. My son passed in 2002, but I felt it was important to continue advocating for survivors of brain Injury. I recently was called back into service to co-facilitate the Everett TBI Support Group. My friend and facilitator of the group, Janet Mott, passed and the group was struggling to keep going.
Instructors
Caterina Turner
Caterina brings over a decade of experience guiding individuals and families through some of life’s most complex transitions, including brain injury recovery, child welfare advocacy, and military-to-civilian transition. Her perspective is rooted in lived experience, system navigation guidance, and community education. Before joining Brain Northwest, she served as a Brain Injury Case Manager and Specialist, where she coordinated care, advanced community education initiatives, and advocated for survivors navigating medical, vocational, and community reintegration.
Her background also includes years of service in the child welfare system, where she has worked as a Permanency Caseworker, Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and Intensive In-Home Counselor. Across these roles, she built deep expertise in trauma response and stabilizing families in crisis.
Today, Caterina serves as a Career & Transition Strategist with a national veteran services organization. She founded and now leads Transition-Lab.org, a platform created to expand equitable access to resources and empower veterans to design thriving futures after service through AI technology and curated support.
She holds a B.A. in Human Services and is completing her M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design.
Caren Sumption
Caren Sumption is a state and nationally-certified Peer Support Specialist, Community Health Worker, Victim Advocate, and CCAR Recovery Coach. She specializes in crisis support among folks from marginalized and closed communities, neurodiversity, and grief support.
Cynara Clarke
Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Cynara now makes her home in South Seattle with her wife of 20 years, Lisa, along with their beloved fur babies—cats Cora and Lila.
A true jack of all trades, Cynara’s career has spanned a wide range of industries, including hospitality, customer service, food service, health care, and caregiving. She has even dabbled in woodworking and construction, adding to her diverse skill set.
Outside of work, Cynara has a long list of hobbies and creative pursuits. She enjoys crochet, poetry, photography, crosswords, games, acrylic paint pouring, epoxy resin projects, soapmaking, cooking, and video games, among others.
Cynara is also a Master Certified Life Coach and is currently working toward her ACC accreditation through the International Coaching Federation.
Jessica Shirley
MS, CHES, RYT Certified Health Education Specialist | Trauma-Informed Coach | Movement & Wellness Educator
Jessica Shirley is a Certified Health Education Specialist and trauma-informed wellness coach with over 16 years of experience guiding individuals and organizations toward mindful, sustainable well-being. Jessica is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), ACE-certified Health Coach, Personal Trainer, and Group Fitness Instructor, and a Certified Relationship Coach. With a master’s degree in Health and Human Performance and dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Business Administration, she bridges evidence-based science with intuitive, human-centered coaching. Her teaching integrates somatic awareness, nervous system regulation, and restorative yoga to help others return to balance, clarity, and embodied calm.
Today, Jessica combines her background in public health, education, and movement with her passion for personal growth and spiritual connection. Whether facilitating a yoga class, leading a workshop, or working one-on-one with clients, her mission remains clear: to empower others to reconnect with their bodies, achieve optimal wellness, transform stress into resilience, and live in alignment with their authentic purpose.