Leadership Team

Natalie Ross is the Chief Executive Officer for Healing Bridges. She has been with the nonprofit since early 2016, but has over 26 years of experience in the human services industry, including three years as an Executive Director at another larger behavioral health and developmental delay service organization in Western Pennsylvania.

Prior to her executive director roles, she had various leadership roles within the behavioral health and criminal justice field in the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Forensics Services Division. Ross supervised the treatment component for the Allegheny County Drug Court for eight years until she was promoted to the Specialty Court Supervisor role over the Allegheny County Drug Court, Mental Health Court and DUI Court. She holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Criminology Pre Law from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has devoted her professional life to helping others by advocating for those who struggle with addictions, mental illness and/or developmental delays. She truly enjoys leading the dedicated management team at Healing Bridges and would like to someday revisit her love for teaching criminal justice and psychology courses.

Ross loves spending time with her wonderful husband John and their two beautiful children, as she believes that family time balance is extremely important and valuable for any successful working professional. In addition to leading the Healing Bridges organization, Ross still finds time to attend boot camp training regularly with her daughter, date nights with her husband and rarely misses one of her kids' soccer and basketball games.

Rica Rush is the Chief Operating Officer for Healing Bridges. As the COO, Rush provides vision and direction for the organization, as well as guides other staff members through the implementation of workflow changes to maintain operations. While being in the social work field for over 30 years and in senior and executive management for 20 years, Rush has served in many different roles including the VP of Programs and Services at a local ID/A agency, the Devereux-TCV Director of MH Residential and Partial Hospitalization Services, the Chartiers Center Director of Diversion Acute Stabilization, the Director of Community Based Familiar Supports at MHA in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Clinical Director of Allegheny Psychological Services, the MH Director of Families United Network and a Therapist at Auberle in addition to a program for female offenders.

Rush obtained her Masters of Education in Counseling at Penn State University and her bachelor’s degree in Governmental Administration at Christopher Newport University. While not in the workplace, Rush likes to watch her son play college football and cheer on her granddaughter’s competitive cheer competitions. Her pride and joy are her two adult children and two handsome cats. While being a supportive mother and active sports enthusiast, she also likes to travel, cook, watch television, spend quality time with close friends and get involved in local politics.

With a rich background in social work and an MBA focused on Healthcare Administration, Amanda is a dedicated professional committed to making a difference in our community. Holding a CRCR certification and aspiring to become a CPA in the coming years, Amanda blends expertise in healthcare administration with a passion for financial excellence.

Driven by a deep sense of empathy and a desire to serve, Amanda has always been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at improving mental health services. Whether it's advocating for better resources or ensuring claims get paid, Amanda is known for their unwavering dedication and compassionate approach.

Outside of work, Amanda is a proud parent to three wonderful children: Hadleigh (10), Heath (9), and Harrison (7). The family cherishes their time together, especially during their summer camping trips to West Virginia, fall football and cheerleading activities, and winter wrestling matches. As the head coach for the Carlynton Little Cougars youth football organization, Amanda not only teaches the fundamentals of the game but also instills values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship in young athletes.

In every aspect of life, Amanda strives to inspire and uplift others, making a lasting impact both professionally and personally.

Dawn Walls is the Director of Compliance and Quality Assurance for Healing Bridges, a position in which she has been in since 2016. Ms. Walls provides compliance oversight to all of the internal departments as well as establishes credentialing for all licensed providers. She has been with the agency since February 1993. Before attaining her current role, she held many different positions within the agency. She was an Intensive Case Manager from 1993 to 1996 and a Resource Coordination Supervisor & Targeted Case Management Supervisor from 1996 to 2016. Walls graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Sarah Kerr is one of the Intellectual Disabilities Supports Coordination Supervisor’s for Healing Bridges. Kerr co-leads the supports coordination department at Healing Bridges with the purpose of assisting her team with managing caseloads and adhering to state regulations. With an extensive background in autism, special education and behavioral health services, she quickly became familiar with all the ins and outs the service has to offer. Before working for Healing Bridges, she was a Special Education Teacher for the Watson Institute, a Blended Service Coordination Mentor for Mon Yough Community Services, where she worked for a little over 14 years, and a therapeutic staff support.

Kerr graduated from Seton Hill University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and a Master's degree in Special Education with a specialization in Autism. She is also currently pursuing her behavioral specialist license to enhance her expertise further. As a big outdoors lover, Kerr spends a lot of her time hiking, biking or kayaking out in the beauty of nature. She also likes to care for her one crazy Corgi dog and two cats that always keep her busy.

Katherine Chuey is one of the Intellectual Disabilities Supports Coordination Supervisors for Healing Bridges. In her current role, she is responsible for hiring, supervising, training and overseeing her team of Supports Coordinators (SCs), as well as participating in meetings with County Administrators regarding IDD/A individuals being served. Before her time at Healing Bridges, she held various positions working in the nonprofit and social work system. Some of her previous roles include being an Educator at the Huntington Learning Center, a Volunteer ESL Teacher at Washington County Literacy Council and a Direct Support Professional and Job Coach at ARC Human Services.

Along with obtaining her Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University in 2020, Chuey graduated from Millersville University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. Outside of her professional experience and education, Chuey enjoys attending the opera and walking around Disney World. Other hobbies she is fond of include reading, painting and hiking. She also has a soft spot for animals, especially chinchillas.

Mark Santomo is the IDD/A Training Specialist for Healing Bridges. As the IDD/A Training Specialist, Santomo is responsible for increasing the support and assistance in training all new Supports Coordinators at their own pace so that they are fully equipped with all the tools in their toolbox to do their jobs effectively. He has worked for other human services organizations prior to Heeling Bridges for over 28 years, with roles such as a therapeutic staff support (TSS) and an intensive care manager to help children and adults with emotional and mental issues, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Santomo graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Social Work. While not working, he enjoys eating pizza, watching hockey and playing miniature golf with his family. Although he has many loves outside of his job, his true passion is helping others in need, which motivates him to dedicate his professional career to the social services field.

Matthew Grimm is the outpatient clinical supervisor at Healing Bridges and a dedicated mental health counselor with a diverse and eclectic approach to therapy. Humanistic and Post-Modern approaches, guide his work with a deep sense of empathy and a belief in the power of personal narrative and self-discovery. He also draws on a strong foundation in cognitive, behavioral, and trauma informed techniques that he acquired in his twenty years of service in the mental health field.

Matthew obtained a Master's of Science in Mental Health and Wellness Grand Canyon University and a Master's of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Waynesburg University. His undergraduate degree in Theater Arts is from Slippery Rock University and he is currently on the alternative training track to become a Registered Drama Therapist, which will allow him to incorporate creative and expressive methods into his work. His creative approach can offer new perspectives and enhance the therapeutic process. Matthew is an EMDR Basic Trained Therapist, National Certified Counselor, and is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor which further expands his ability to support clients.

When not at work Matthew can be found at home with his wife and dog spending time with family and friends or taking part in creative hobbies such as acting or directing local theatrical productions.

Jim serves a dual role for Healing Bridges. He is not only the Office Manager, but he also manages the Human Resources for the organization. Jim started out his career by going to WCCC for Nursing but then had to leave school when his mother fell ill and passed away. Then working in wireless sector for 15 years 5 in sales and 10 in management, Jim started to find that he truly enjoyed being in a leadership role. When the sales company store site closed due to Covid 19, Jim decided he wanted to get back into something in the medical field but found it challenging since I did not finish his nursing degree. He started out at Healing Bridges in a Medical Administrative Assistant position and eventually was promoted to the Office Manager / HR role where he is an admired and valued member of the administrative and leadership team.

When Jim is not at work he enjoys spending time with his wife Erin, their cat and nephews and he's an avid gamer who enjoys MMORPGs