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Our Team

Experienced leaders and specialists with diverse backgrounds, expertise, and lived experiences.

Sandra Breitengross Bitter, a middle-aged woman with light brown skin, brown hair, and glasses, sits with her hands folded in front of her.

Sandra Breitengross-Bitter

Project Director

With over 22 years of experience in government and nonprofit sectors—including leadership roles at the Texas SILC and as IL-NET Director of Training at ILRU—Sandra brings extensive expertise in stakeholder collaboration and program administration. A Hispanic, neurocomplex individual with lived experience in mental health, she holds a degree in Political Science and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration.

An older woman with silver hair and Scottish complexion, smiling, wearing a dark heather jacket and a striped shirt.

Paula McElwee

Director of Technical Assistance

Paula holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Administration and leads with over 40 years of experience in nonprofit management and Independent Living, including roles as a CIL director and SILC member. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in regulatory compliance and quality improvement. A person with chronic pain and neurological disabilities, McElwee brings both professional depth and lived experience to her leadership in technical assistance.

Joey Vega

Joey Vega

Director of Innovation and Strategy

Joey brings over four years of experience in evaluation and program management, including his previous role as Evaluation Coordinator for the IL-NET T&TA Center at ILRU. With more than 20 years in the health and disability fields, he has contributed to numerous federally funded projects and research focused on developmental pediatrics, spinal cord injury, and disability.

Tyler Morris

Tyler Morris

Director of Training

Tyler brings over 17 years of experience in a Center for Independent Living—including more than seven as Executive Director— and deep expertise in peer mentorship, training, and technical assistance. Holding degrees in Education and Business Administration and identifying as neurodivergent, he is committed to inclusive, impactful professional development.

A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length, light brown, wavy hair sits in her power wheelchair outside and smiles.

Emily Wolinsky

Content and Training Specialist

With over 20 years of experience in education, non-profit leadership, and Independent Living, Emily brings expertise in project management, curriculum development, and stakeholder engagement. A published author and advocate living with a neuromuscular disability, she combines personal experience with professional insight to support inclusive practices.