Located in Eureka, California, Making Headway is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as treatment for those affected by TBI's aftermath. For over 20 years, Making Headway founder Gail Pascoe RN, MFT provided critical support to TBI survivors and their families. Gail left private practice and founded Making Headway in 1999 to more effectively reach those with TBI in the Humboldt region.
Our Staff
Gail Pascoe, Executive Director
Gail is the Executive Director of Making Headway and is a Registered Nurse (RN) and Marriage Family Therapist (MFT). She has worked with people with brain injury for over 20+ years. In her spare time she enjoys camping, kayaking and spending beach time with her two dogs.
Sylvia Soper, Office Manager
Sylvia is Making Headway’s Administrative Coordinator. She has been
working with Making Headway since its inception and is responsible for managing
the business aspects of the agency. When you call our number it is probably
Sylvia’s cheery voice that you hear. She enjoys spending time with
her children and grandchildren and reading in her spare time. Sylvia has
lived in Humboldt County for 17 years and enjoys spending time in our area’s
magnificent natural beauty.
Contact Sylvia
Jeffrey Smoller, Director of Development
Jeff comes to Making Headway with a background in local broadcast media. He focuses on developing relationships with local business, non-profits and the public via fundraising, community events and grantwriting. A Humboldt County resident since 1974, he has extensive work and travel experience in over 16 countries and 40 states. He is an active musician, both solo and in bands. He is a founder of Humboldt County's Pun-Off, an event dedicated to fundraising through humor.
Ann McKeown, MA, Case Manager
Specializing in Art Therapy, Ann's experience extends to case managment with Homeless, Seniors, Juveniles, Foster Children and those with learning disabilites. Her hobbies include antiquing, vintage lighting restoration and hiking the trails of Humboldt County. Her expertise and compassion are important assets in helping those affected by brain injury.
Carol Breslin, Community Reintegration Specilist
With a background in care providing, Carol's passion for helping others contributes greatly to traumatic brain injury recovery by giving clients one-to-one assistance with activities of dalily living and independend living skills.
Sophy Ros, Community Outreach Coordinator/CRS
Sophy works as the Community Outreach Coordinator as well as a Community Re-integration Specialist. In this capacity she handles public events and school based projects in addition to working one on one with Making Headway clients. In her spare time a perfect day for Sophy would be spent surfing 6-8 foot swells on her custom longboard at Moonstone Beach.
Russell Bedillion, Community Re-integration Specialist
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Russell returned to school to receive new training as a social worker. He works one on one with clients as a Community Reintegration Specialist.
Karen Santos, Case Manager
Karen has her M.A. in Social Work from H.S.U. Her duties range from performing intakes and assessments to advocating for clients and helping them gain access to benefits and/or medical and mental health care. She has two children and enjoys running and painting in her spare time.
Our Board of Directors
Suzanne Owsley
Suzie was born and raised in Eureka. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona and is the public information officer for the Eureka Police Department. She is an active member of numerous community organizations including the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters. She recently returned from a cross country train excursion and enjoys traveling, cooking, walking and reading in her spare time.
Jack Bellinger
Jack is the retired director of the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka. He loves the diverse natural resources of the Northcoast region and spends as much time as he can kayaking with his wife Linda.
Lisa Shirk
Lisa is a Physical Therapist and is the Director of Rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s Hospital since 2002. She is passionate about rehabilitation and brings that passion to Making Headway’s Board of Directors. She has three children; a daughter and granddaughter living in Montana and two eighth graders living at home. In her spare time she enjoys outdoor activities and being with her kids.
Peter Stoll, Ph.D.
Peter is trained in school and counseling psychology and is currently employed by the Humboldt County Office of Education as a School Psychologist and Behavior Specialist. He attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and worked at the May Institute in Boston treating brain injured students. In his spare time he enjoys wilderness activities with groups and for his own personal fulfillment.
Brenda Bertain
Brenda is a teacher the Eureka Adult School TBI class and works with both seniors and adults with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Susan Egan
Susan is the Teacher's Aide at the Eureka Adult School TBI Class. Her professional and life experiences range from restaurant ownership to being an instructional assistant for the Careers & Education Center to working at the Humboldt Country Correctional Facility. Among her greatest achievements is being a single mom who has raised to sons.
Bob Van Fleet
Bob grew up in Ohio and migrated to Humboldt County in 1965 to attend HSU where he earned a B.A. in psychology in 1968. He has worked as a provider of services to people with disabilities for 35 years with a primary interest in employment support services. He has worked in Regional Center and mental health systems and is currently President of the Board of Tri County Independent Living, Inc. and Chair of the Northwest Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. He has also been active in local TBI programs for many years. His other interests include motorcycle touring, sprint car races, and kayaking.
Joanne Conzelman, Director, Humboldt Senior Resource Center, Linkages Program
Janet Foos, Redwood Coast Regional Center
Chris Jones, Executive Director, Tri-County Independent Living
Catherine M. Koshkin, Attorney at Law
Maggie Kraft, Director of Adult Day Health Center at Humboldt Senior Resource Center
Tom Montesanti, Executive Director, California State Area I Developmental Disabilities Board
Eddie Morgan, Executive Director, Easter Seals
Charles Ollivier, Humboldt Bay Commissioner, family member of Making Headway client
Jan Ostrum, Humboldt County Public Health
David Perry, State of California, Department of Rehabilitation
Mike Pigg
4-Time National Champion Triathlete
(Retired)
Sandy Radic-Oshiro, Field Representative for Senator Wesley Chesbro
Donna Shipley, Executive Director, Humboldt County Access and Resource Center
John Sullivan, M.D. Pediatrician
Ray Thomsen, Retired, family member of Making Headway client
Mary Thompson, Director, College of the Redwoods Disabled Student Programs and Services
Mark Wheetley, Arcata City Councilman
Christine Yannone, Speech and Language Pathologist and Therapist
Contact Information
Making Headway, Inc.
305 "O" Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 442-7668
Announcements
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