Matthew Berwick currently serves as our chapter President and on our advocacy committee. In addition to the work he does with our United Spinal Chapter, he is the Senior Program Manager, Disability Accommodations for Clinical Services at UPMC and teaches at the University of Pittsburgh. Matthew has worked in disability services for over a decade, serving on local and national boards. Matthew has also worked in higher education and as a Youth Specialist focusing on youth transition services for people with disabilities. Matthew has a bachelor’s and master’s in education and a master’s in health informatics. Matthew is also very active in the Pittsburgh disability sports community playing wheelchair rugby and curling. 

Rebecca MacTaggart was recently voted in as Vice President and also serves as the Pittsburgh Chapter Advocacy Coordinator. She also works at United Spinal Association as the Government Relations Manager. Rebecca got involved with United Spinal seven years ago when her son was injured in a diving accident. "They were a tremendous source of information and support for Jackson and our family", says Rebecca when asked why she got actively involved. "There's a lot of change needed and the more voices we have, the better." 

Becky Russell serves on the board as the Secretary and Pittsburgh Chapter Membership Coordinator. She is a physical therapist and assistive technology professional with a background in spinal cord injury rehabilitation and wheelchair seating and mobility. She works at the UPMC Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) as a member of the seating team and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to her work with the United Spinal Pittsburgh chapter and at the CAT, Becky works closely with the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers wheelchair rugby team. 

Jesse Solomon is the current Director of Western Pennsylvania for Brighter Days and a Slippery Rock University Alumni where she earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Lifelong Wellness through Innovative Leadership. Jesse also served as the Director of Programs and Program Marketing for the Woodlands Foundation from 2012 - 2020, in partnership with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Jesse is also a founding Board Member of the United Spinal Association of Pittsburgh and currently serves on the Membership Committee where she continues her dedication to empowering and advocating for people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) and all wheelchair users, to discover greater independence and quality of life. 

Christopher “Kit” Speanburg is a Certified Mobility Consultant with MobilityWorks in Robinson Township with over 35 years of management experience across multiple industries. Kit, with his wife Jennifer, son Chris and daughter Christina have lived in the Pittsburgh area for the past 14 years. In 2019, his son Chris suffered a C4/5 SCI during gymnastics practice. Chris was a Junior in Moon Area High School at the time. That life changing event led to a career change and a passion for contributing to and interacting with the disabled community. Kit enjoys day to day interactions with multiple entities and vendors servicing the needs of our members. He is easily excited when talking about new technology and adaptive equipment that can improve lives and increase mobility and independence. He hopes to apply that passion in his new role for the benefit of all our members. 

Lynn is a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh in the department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and a physical therapist at UPMC Mercy. Her research is focused on functional mobility and she co-directs the University of Pittsburgh Model Center on Spinal Cord Injury (UPMC-SCI). She loves teaching wheelchair skills, baking cupcakes, and hanging with her two kids who are 1 and 4. Her lab recently moved to the new UPMC Mercy Pavilion - if you find yourself there for therapy or an outpatient visit, stop by and say hi! 

Liz Dunn is a registered dietitian with a focus on disability and adaptive athletes. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh coordinated master’s program in nutrition and dietetics. Currently, Liz works as a research associate with the University of Pittsburgh Model Center On Spinal Cord Injury.

In the years following her spinal cord injury, she has become an active member of the adaptive sport community and credits the connections she has made as a part of this community with her successes.

As a wheelchair rugby athlete, Liz represented Team USA at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in 2022 where the team placed second. In her free time, she also enjoys kayaking, camping, and handcycling.

Victoria serves as Co-Chair for Peer Support with United Spinal Pittsburgh. She speaks with University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University occupational and physical therapists about living with a spinal cord injury and about her experiences with inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. She is currently going back to school to pursue a degree in English and literature. 

Jonathan serves as our current treasurer and has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Ohio Northern University. He is passionate about movement and exercise and plays wheelchair rugby with the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers and rows with the Three Rivers Rowing Association’s adaptive team. Jonathan hopes to expand the region’s peer support systems and forge greater connection within local disability community. 

Four years after the passage of the ADA, Lester Bennett acquired a disability as a result of a gunshot wound. Lester is a T 10 incomplete SCI  who is also a manual wheelchair user. Lester has a degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Rehabilitation, Science and Technology. During his graduate studies at PITT, Lester researched developing a positive identity with a disability. Since earning a degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Lester has worked in organizations that serve people with disabilities.  Currently Lester is working with Laurel Medical Solutions as the patient care coordinator. Lester is also a board member of Three Rivers Adaptive Sports . Plus, Lester is also a volunteer with a MS Wheelchair Pennsylvania program. 

Monica Albert Still, a passionate disabled nurse born with Spina Bifida in Connecticut, has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Connecticut University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

A champion for home healthcare, Monica began her nursing career at the bedside and progressed to lead two successful home healthcare agencies. She retired early to focus on disability justice but soon returned to her passion as the Clinical Nurse Coordinator for the Adult Spina Bifida Clinic at UPMC Mercy.

Monica is a prominent voice in disability rights. She serves on the board of Disability Rights PA, chairs their Mental Health Advisory Council, and is a graduate of the LEND program at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a founding member and active participant in the Spina Bifida Association's Adult Advisory Council.

Monica is also deeply involved in community initiatives. She is a graduate of the SAIL program, contributes to legislative efforts, and serves on the board of AccessMob Pittsburgh and the planning committee for Disability Pride Pittsburgh. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Monica cherishes her family. She is a proud mother of two daughters, a grandmother, and a devoted cat mom. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, surrounded by her feline companions. Monica attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family, who always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.