Meet Our Team
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.
Paula McElwee, Director of Technical Assistance
Paula 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, 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, 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.
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.
Independent Living Training & Technical Assistance Center
Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
University of Montana
406-243-5467
ILTTACenter@mso.umt.edu
The IL T&TA Center, operated by the University of Montana’s Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (RIIC), is funded by the Office of Independent Living Programs, Administration on Disabilities, Administration for Community Living (ACL).