Meet Our Board of Directors
Behind every mission is a community of people who believe in the work.
Our Board of Directors brings together individuals who are committed to advancing The O’Neil Foundation for Healing and supporting our vision of creating spaces where individuals and families can find connection, compassion, healing, and hope.
Together, our board members provide leadership, guidance, expertise, and heart as we work to strengthen our programs, expand our reach, and ensure that the people we serve remain at the center of everything we do.
Meet the dedicated individuals helping guide our mission and build a stronger, more supportive community, one family at a time.
Click on their names to learn more about each board member.
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Meet Our Healing Group Facilitators
Healing begins with feeling safe enough to show up exactly as you are.
Our Healing Circle facilitators are compassionate individuals who are committed to creating spaces where participants can share, listen, connect, and heal without judgment. They understand that grief and healing are deeply personal journeys, and they approach each circle with empathy, respect, and care.
Meet the people who help hold space for our community and make each Healing Circle a place where you can feel seen, heard, and supported.
Widow/Widowers
Tonia Wilson
Add a short Tonia is one of the co-hosts of the podcast Conversations Between Widows, where she brings honesty, compassion, and real-life perspective to the journey of life after loss. A proud widow, Tonia is raising her 11-year-old son while also serving as guardian to her 90-year-old father—roles that reflect her resilience, devotion, and unwavering sense of family.
A Michigan native, Tonia has built a successful 20-year career in the telecommunications industry, where she is known for her professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence.
Deeply rooted in service, Tonia is a dedicated member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and serves on the executive board of the Pontiac National Pan-Hellenic Council. She also lends her voice and experience to the executive board of Young, Black, and Widowed Inc., supporting widows navigating the complexities of grief, parenting, and rebuilding.
Tonia is a contributing author in two powerful anthologies:
🟢Girl, Be Self-ish: Learning to Embrace Your Rhythm of Self-Care
🟢Widowed Parent Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year
Through her writing, podcasting, and community leadership, Tonia continues to inspire others to heal, grow, and find strength in their own stories.bio for each team member. Make it brief and informative to keep visitors engaged.
Bereaved Parents
Sandy Rooney
Sandy is a mother to three children — Hunter (26), Sarah (24), and Kendall, who passed away in 2024 just before her 21st birthday. Kendall was a medically complex child with special needs whose life taught Sandy more about love, strength, resilience, and perspective than she could have ever imagined.
Sandy is also a proud “Lolli” to 7-year-old twin grandsons, an 18-month-old grandson, and another baby boy due in August. She has lived in St. Mary’s County for 29 years and has worked for Charles County Public Schools for 26 years, where she currently serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Content Specialist. Over the past 15 years, Sandy has also supported families of children with special needs through a local community organization in St. Mary’s County.
“One thing I always told myself throughout Kendall’s journey was, ‘Enjoy the good days so you can get through the really tough ones.’”
Sandy is honored to walk alongside other families navigating the complicated realities of caregiving, grief, healing, and hope with The O’Neil Foundation for Healing.
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NICU & Medical Parents/Caregivers
Samantha (Sam) Kozuch
Sam is a dedicated NICU and medical mama whose advocacy is deeply rooted in her own “in the trenches” experience. After navigating PPROM at 21 weeks, a 24-week delivery, and a five-month NICU stay, Sam became a seasoned navigator of the complexities of micro-preemie care and life with a G-tube.
A proud member of the Dear NICU Mama team and a professionally trained NICU Doula currently completing her final certification, Sam has transformed her own journey into a mission of support. She is passionate about closing the gaps in care she once faced, helping families find their voice and navigate the medical maze with confidence. From the bedside to the homecoming transition, Sam offers a steady, expert hand to ensure that no family walks the path of medical complexity alone.