Our BEST Team
Staff & Volunteers
Gloria Kraegel (Executive Director/Board Chair)
Gloria’s career as an independent nonprofit consultant was focused on helping nonprofits and cooperatives develop capacity through training, information management, and organizational systems development. Gloria has degrees from SUNY Stony Brook and Syracuse University, a background in Information Resource Management and Organizational Development, plus a passion for sustainability, both environmentally and organizationally. Since 2008 she has infused her experience, knowledge, and unique leadership style into the operation of BEST.
Gloria’s Thoughts on BEST: BEST is more than an organization about brain injury. The core of BEST is about people supporting one another to be the best they can be. Whether it’s professional training for facilitators, creative workshops, or one-to-one mentoring, everything we do is about believing that individuals with brain injury can become their best with the right support and tools. Everyone at BEST reflects our core and I couldn’t be more proud.
Jeff Hartson (Support Group Facilitator and Coach)
Jeff Hartson has been a TBI survivor since 2003 and he has been part of BEST since 2010. He currently facilitates the Tacoma Brain Injury Support Group and the Puyallup Brain Injury Support Group. He enjoys coaching facilitators to sharpen their skills and individuals to recreate their personal identity and create meaningful lives after brain injury. Jeff is also involved in other community activities that involve traumatic brain injuries,
Jeff’s Thoughts on BEST: I feel that our involvement in the community and what we offer plays a big role in defining opportunities for survivors with brain injuries. There is a willingness of our team to be a supportive agency to those in the community that have a brain injury. I think the companionship, comradery, and closeness that we share as brain injury survivors help us to be able to understand each other’s dilemmas.
Robin Spicuzza (Support Group Facilitator and Coach)
Full charge bookkeeper, real estate investor, and web developer, Robin has done it all. She’s also actively engaged in raising her son. One of the things she loved to do was to make cupcakes for her son’s football team. Then in 2011 a car accident on Interstate 5 changed everything. Faced with the challenges that came with an undiagnosed TBI she struggled to find support. It wasn’t until she found the Edmonds Brain Injury Support Group that she was able to accept and understand what was happening. Today she is also the facilitator of the Edmonds Support Group and a BEST Support Group Coach.
Robin’s Thoughts on BEST: It’s pretty simple, when all the systems and services that are in place to help with brain injury have failed BEST was/is the only place where I found hope, recovery, and friendship and family.
Diane Rasch (Gratitude Specialist)
Diane will tell you 2006 is the year that turned her world upside down. Prior to sustaining a TBI due to an auto accident she was a teacher, trainer, and mentor. She traveled internationally as an educator and trainer. Now she is an invaluable member of our BEST team, teaching and training those around her to manifest their creativity. She has transformed not only her life, but the life of those she’s touched. As BEST’s Gratitude Specialist Diane created the Birthday Card Project. She knows there are those that feel alone or are without family and sending them a card for their birthday is Diane’s way of letting them know just how special they are.
Diane’s Thoughts on BEST: The most special thing about BEST is that they really support and care for brain injured people and encourage and help us to move on, because moving on is important. The most special thing that happened to me at BEST is when Penny asked me to be the Gratitude Specialist. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for doing Moving On. BEST is my TBI family. BEST brings hope.
Kim Thompson (Communications Advisor)
Kim is a lifelong admirer of the written word and has pursued that passion from a young age. She holds a degree from the University of Washington in English literature and creative writing. Kim has shared her writing, communications and project management skills in many fields. She began her career in the public television local affiliate and expanded her career by joining a large telecommunications corporation where she served for a decade in multiple roles as a corporate writer and trainer, business analyst, vendor manager, advertising coordinator and national marketing consultant. Kim’s next adventure in writing was through print and online newspaper work and blogging and spent eight years as a local, high-producing freelance journalist for multiple publications in Pierce County, Washington. Kim joined BEST in the fall of 2013 and proudly served as the Communications Manager until 2020 where she was responsible for BEST social media platforms, the BEST website blog, external and internal communications, public relations and event and promotions assistance. Currently, Kim works with BEST as an advisor on outreach and communications best practices.
Kim’s Thoughts on BEST: The positive energy, can-do spirit and loving hearts of the BEST team, volunteers, supporters, community partners and generous donors is like nothing I’ve ever seen! You can’t help but feel empowered, energized and hopeful in their presence. Together, we are truly changing the face of brain injury forever.
Board of Directors
Kathy Lefkowitz (Treasurer)
Kathy received her Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Clemson University and is a licensed CPA having worked for such noted accounting firms as Ernst & Young and BDO Seidman. Her career has spanned various roles and environments from auditor of nonprofits and governmental entities to Internal Audit Director and Controller in distribution and service organizations. Prior to becoming a consultant to BEST in 2013 she was part of a management team focused on transitioning a company held by a private equity group to a public company traded on the NYSE [New York Stock Exchange]. She now serves on our Board of Directors.
Kathy’s Thoughts on BEST: Working with BEST, both for the mission, and for opening a new process of working for me, have had amazing impacts on my life. I’m proud to be considered a BESTie.
Penny Condoll (Secretary)
Penny’s career as a medical social worker was on the rise when, in a 2003 auto accident, she sustained a traumatic brain injury. Unable to return to work Penny also realized that there was a huge gap between the services she needed and what was available. After finally finding and attending a support group she decided to advocate for the brain injury community. With a small group of committed people Penny founded the Brain Energy Support Team in 2007. Over the next 10 years Penny manifested her vision of peer support and professional education for those with brain injury in Washington State. Though retired from daily operations she still actively supports BEST as a member of the Board of Directors.
Penny’s Thoughts on BEST: Through my own brain injury journey I found there was a real lack of support systems I needed to thrive. When we decided to form BEST our slogan was simple; We know BEST. The goal was, and still is, to create the tools, resources, strategies and programs that give those of us with a brain injury the opportunity for success in a safe, caring and nurturing environment. I’m very proud of BEST.
Kathi Sturgeon (Director)
Kathi Sturgeon was born and raised in Washington State, graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media, and received her Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Multnomah Biblical Seminary. She began riding in California in the early-2000’s and fell in love with the sport right away. It was while training for a ride, that Kathi was hit by a drunk driver in 2008 and sustained a traumatic brain injury, along with other serious injuries. In time, Kathi began riding her bicycle again and eventually began riding in organized bicycle rides seeking to raise money and awareness for brain injured survivors. Though
bicycling is more of a challenge post-injuries, she is grateful for the opportunities to ride on behalf of brain injured survivors. Kathi is the founder of Riding for Hope Alliance, an organization devoted to participating in cycling events to promote brain injury awareness and to raise resources for brain injury organizations.
Kathi’s Thoughts on BEST: My desire is to be a voice of hope and help for those with brain injury and their families and friends. As part of the BEST team I know we can continue to help and encourage brain injury survivors, family, friends and caregivers.
