Board of Directors
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PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Desiree Douglass, along with other parents, founded HeadStrong for Life in 2006 after Desiree’s youngest son sustained a severe TBI in a pedestrian-car crash in Seattle. HeadStrong seeks to create a community of positive people around youth and families to support recovery and well-being after injury. Desiree is passionate about emerging science on neuroplasticity and cellular healing after injury.
Desiree also works as an environmental planner on parks, trails, education, and pedestrian safety projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. She loves camping, hiking, and hanging out with friends and family.
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BOARD MEMBER
Pranav Anumolu is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying neuroscience. He is passionate about educating himself and others about brain injuries and its impacts. His interest in neural circuitry and neuroplasticity originated from his volunteer experience with neuro-epilepsy patients in the hospital. Outside of Headstrong, Pranav is a research assistant at the Golden Lab and volunteers as a youth tutor in the Jackson Park area. He is excited to help support children suffering from traumatic brain injuries and cultivate a healing community.
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BOARD MEMBER
Angela Hanton is a University of Washington undergraduate student who has a strong affinity for working with children who have neurological deficits. This pertains to her future goal of becoming a pediatric neurologist and creating a gratifying environment for all.
She is a research assistant at the Laboratory for Auditory Neuroscience and Development and a consistent volunteer for the Adaptive and Inclusive Movement Initiative in Seattle. She is looking forward to fostering stronger communities and prioritizing wellness for children who suffer from traumatic brain injuries.
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BOARD MEMBER
Divya Singh is a University of Washington student pursuing a BS in Neuroscience and a minor in Global Health while on the pre-medical track. She is interested in learning about the human brain and how behaviors and development manifest at a biological level, especially in children. Her work at Headstrong is focused on bringing awareness to Headstrong’s mission and programs via social media. Additional to Headstrong, she is an undergraduate researcher for the Neonatal Neuroscience Lab at UW Medicine and a volunteer at Swedish Ballard.
She is excited to be part of such a dedicated team and learn more about the neurology of TBI in her time at Headstrong.
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BOARD MEMBER
Lily Blase is so excited to be welcomed to the Headstrong community. She is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and linguistics at the University of Washington. She aspires to apply her passions in neurorehabilitation and human-centered healthcare towards a career in occupational therapy. Lily believes that community-based organizations like Headstrong are essential to building connections that support well-being and personal identity.
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BOARD MEMBER
Scott Bowen started as a consultant with HeadStrong in 2014 after pivoting out of a career composing music for film in Hollywood. In 2020 he successfully completed his studies to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and recently received his credential as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.
Scott currently works at the Rehabilitation Institute of Washington in their pain management and brain injury rehab programs. In addition to working on the executive board with HeadStrong, he also currently serves as Secretary for the Washington Occupational Therapy Association.
He is passionate about helping others improve their health, well-being, and functional participation in meaningful activities.
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BOARD MEMBER
Stuart Harper is a medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is passionate about brain injury awareness and education. After his family's challenges navigating their own brain injury recovery, Stuart felt determined to share his experiences with others and joined HeadStrong in 2020.
He has a significant interest in the mechanisms of neuroplasticity and learning, particularly in the context of neurotrauma. Stuart hopes to provide individuals and families with resources to appropriately respond to the biological, psychological, and social changes that can occur following a head injury.
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BOARD MEMBER
Reilly Dever has been passionate about improving mind and body wellness for as long as she can remember, and has been a HeadStrong board member since 2015. She is currently completing her MD/MBA at Duke University after spending five years coordinating clinical neuroscience research at Seattle Children’s and UC San Francisco. Reilly believes that innovative organizations like HeadStrong are changing the lives of patients and the world of healthcare. She is honored to be a part of the HeadStrong team.
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BOARD MEMBER
Kedeste Amsalu is an undergraduate at the University of Washington studying Public Health and Neuroscience. She is pursuing a future as a physician with a passion for rehabilitative care inspired by her experience volunteering at senior living homes, where she worked with various neurodegenerative diseases. This experience has led her to combine her interest in community-based care with research in motor control to work towards rehabilitative treatments.
Kedeste is excited to work with the passionate Headstrong team to provide a nurturing and supportive community for families experiencing TBI.