Leadership

Harry Bruell, CEO/President, has led PathPoint since 2017 and has been a leader in the nonprofit sector for 30 years. Harry's dedication to PathPoint’s mission comes from a deep personal understanding of some of the challenges faced by individuals supported by PathPoint and their families. The California Department of Developmental Services selected Harry to serve on the System and Fiscal Reform Workgroup, DS Task Force Rates Workgroup, Quality Incentives Workgroup, and many other informal and time-limited committees. He serves on the Board of Directors of the California Disability Services Association, California ASPE, and the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. Harry is also an active member of the Los Angeles Coalition of Service Providers, the Lanterman Coalition, and the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies. Prior to joining PathPoint, Harry served for 26 years in the conservation corps field, including 13 years as President and CEO of Conservation Legacy, a national agency based in Colorado. During the Obama Administration, the Secretary of the Interior appointed Harry as chair of a federal advisory committee to grow the corps movement.  He graduated with honors from Rice University with a degree in civil/environmental engineering and had a short engineering career before finding his passion in non-profit work.

Erica Beall holds the role of Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities Services, overseeing program services in five counties. Erica comes to PathPoint after 25+ years in the Developmental Disability field, having previously held roles at the Devereux Foundation, The Arc of San Diego, United Cerebral Palsy, San Diego Regional Center, Westside Regional Center, and North Los Angeles County Regional Center. With thirteen years of case management and resource development experience via three Southern California regional centers, Erica is adept at helping both families and the service provider community to advance the lives of individuals with I/DD.  Erica holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Master’s in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University. She served as the principal consultant and owner of Advocacy and Resources, LLC, which provided consultation, grant and resource development support, custom trainings, networking opportunities, strategic planning, and board development for service provider organizations who offer services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Jennifer is a Licensed MFT and has worked at PathPoint since 1986. Jennifer has accomplished many firsts for PathPoint, initiating major programs, such as Supportive Services in 1995, the County’s first mobile team providing housing assistance for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, and establishing the first client-run residence with Housing Authority of City of Santa Barbara funding. In 2001 she began consulting on the Supportive Housing Initiative Acts grant awarded to PathPoint as part of a multi-agency collaborative program. Jennifer supervises a staff of coordinators, instructors, coaches, and assistants. Many are long-term employees of 25 years or more. Collectively the combined years of experience equals over 160 years! In 2002, the Division received the Santa Barbara Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Matters award for excellence in community service. The Nonprofit Support Center awarded the Division its Santa Barbara County Leadership in Action award in 2008. And in 2010 the Behavioral Health Division was recognized as Community Partner of the Year by HACSB.  

Curt is responsible for the technology and physical infrastructure for the organization that spans 24 properties and 18 networked sites, over seven division sites in five counties. Curt joined PathPoint in 1994 and has held a variety of positions supporting participants, including: Direct Support Professional, Community Access Program Instructor, Job Coach, Individual Supported Employment Coordinator, and External Situational Assessment Coordinator. He later became the first full-time IT staff person for PathPoint and transitioned to Manager of Information Systems and IT Director. He was promoted to Vice President in 2017. His service to the community also includes serving on the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center, 1994-2015. Curt has a degree in Computer Science from Butler County Community College and a degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he studied language and cognition in dolphins. 

April holds the role of Vice President of North Central Coast, including North Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. She joined PathPoint in 2019 after an extensive career with the YMCA, holding the titles of Chief Operations Officer, San Luis Obispo County YMCA; Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of San Joaquin County; and Senior Executive Director and Executive Director of the Valley of the Sun YMCA. April holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is a recent graduate of Leadership San Luis Obispo, Class XXVII.

Lauren joined PathPoint in 2014 and oversees key strategic projects across the organization, developing best practices, processes, and policies to ensure alignment with the organization's strategies and goals. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a minor in Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Lauren serves on the Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara and is the Advisor for the Aktion Club of Santa Barbara, a service club for adults with disabilities; and regularly volunteers in her local community. 

Mark joined PathPoint in 2019 to oversee nearly 500 full-time and part-time staff operating in 24 sites across five counties.  His prior experience includes more than 24 years at three organizations based in Virginia where he held senior human resources positions, including the role of Vice President, at the University of Virginia Community Credit Union, Wintergreen Resort, and Crutchfield Corporation. Mark received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and holds a number of certifications from the Society of Human Resource Management.  He is active in the local community, including serving on the Human Resources Committee of the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara.  

Tasha Addison has worked at PathPoint since 2007 and holds the position of Vice President of South Santa Barbara County. She began her career at PathPoint as Lead Direct Support Professional working directly with people with developmental disabilities and then served as Program Coordinator for licensed day programs for 10 years.  Most recently, she was the Office Manager/ Human Resources Assistant for the Santa Barbara division, maintaining program budgets, optimizing resources, and supporting teams.  Tasha is a lifelong advocate for the disability community. With her initial experience with volunteering for Special Olympics and Iowa nonprofit New Hope Village as a teenager, her career in the non-profit sector began in 2003 supporting youth with developmental disabilities and brain injuries at agencies in the Des Moines, Iowa area.

Maria joined PathPoint in 2006 after working for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Starting with PathPoint's Supported Employment services, she rose up the managerial ladder and was promoted to several PathPoint leadership positions. As former Director of Program Services, she oversaw Long Beach services, Residential services, and the Pathfinder program in Chatsworth, a unique behavioral program for individuals who are transitioning out of the State’s development centers. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from California State University Northridge and has served as a Member of the Work Investment Board in Cerritos since 2011.

Shawn joined PathPoint in 2015 and is responsible for the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of all services offered by PathPoint's Kern County Division.  His experience managing programs for adults with development disabilities includes serving as Program Manager at Bakersfield ARC, 2011-2015.  At Clinica Sierra Vista, Shawn supervised case managers connecting community resources to families of southeast Bakersfield, 2003-2007.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and earned a master's degree in Public Administration from California State University, Bakersfield.  Shawn volunteers as a coach with Special Olympics Southern California.  

Matthew holds the role of Vice President of Finance. Matthew began his career in PathPoint’s billing department in 2018, was subsequently promoted to Finance Director, and assumed his current role in 2021. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UC San Diego in Economics with a minor in Health Care/Social Issues. Matthew is a firm believer in providing accessible and meaningful services and strives to ensure the sustainability of the organization. Matthew’s oversees all finance functions, including budgeting, financial analysis, accounts payable and receivable, audit, and taxes.

Rebecca joined PathPoint in 2021 and oversees PathPoint’s fundraising, grant, and communications initiatives. Prior to PathPoint, she graduated with honors from University of California, Santa Barbara, with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a minor in Professional Writing, and a minor in Poverty, Inequality, and Social Justice. At UCSB, she worked in a variety of student affairs departments and as a writing tutor for the university. She also started her career in the non-profit sector, holding internships at organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League, the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, and the Fund for Santa Barbara. An involved member of the UCSB Professional Writing Department, Rebecca engaged in the Raab Writing Fellowship, where she presented her capstone project at Johns Hopkins University’s Richard Macksey National Undergraduate Humanities Research Symposium. Initially, Rebecca began her career as PathPoint’s Community Engagement Coordinator, was promoted to Manager, and assumed her current role as Director of the department in 2023.