The people behind our mission.
The team at our Bethesda headquarters, and a Board of Trustees rooted in the Marriott family tradition that founded Bridges in 1989.
Executive Team
Leading Bridges nationwide.
Our executive team works from our Bethesda headquarters, supporting program offices across the country.
CEO and Board President
David Quilleon
David Quilleon joined Bridges as CEO in July 2025. David brings nearly three decades of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President at Best Buddies International. He has deep roots in disability advocacy and inclusive workforce development. David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with emphasis on Journalism from the University of South Florida.
Linda Bender
Director of Administration and Board Secretary
Linda Bender is a 34-year Marriott veteran and has been serving the Bridges program for the last 18 years. Ms. Bender provides administrative leadership, direction and guidance at our headquarters and to local program offices across the country. She also manages all aspects of the annual employer recognition events and oversees administrative activities in local markets, including human resources, technology and social media management and corporate standards and policies.
Kate Brown
Director of Development
Kate Brown cultivates and stewards relationships with funders and manages our annual fundraiser-gala. Before joining Bridges, she spent eight years with Higher Achievement, where she worked as director of grants and fundraising operations and volunteered her time mentoring the organization’s middle school students. She began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Kate earned a B.A. from the University of Richmond and a Nonprofit Executive Management Certificate from Georgetown University.
Christopher Dourov
Director of Strategic Programs
Christopher Dourov brings nearly a decade of experience supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful employment and independence. Before joining Bridges, he served as Director of Jobs at Best Buddies International, where he led national program growth, data systems, and compliance initiatives. At Bridges, Christopher drives strategic growth, compliance oversight, and systems development across the organization while supporting operational excellence and special projects in collaboration with the Director of Operations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University.
Justin Down
Director of Information Technology and Security
Justin Down helps Bridges make technology feel a little less complicated and a lot more useful.
Mark Hearn
Director of Finance and Board Treasurer
Mark Hearn manages Bridges’ financial operations, overseeing budgeting, accounting, fiscal tracking, reporting and contract invoicing. Mr. Hearn supervises the Bridges annual audit and governmental agency audits conducted at Bridges sites. He regulates grant compliance and state non-profit registration requirements. Mr. Hearn is a graduate of Auburn University, holds a master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a CPA in the state of Virginia.
Kelly Pavich
Director of Operations
Kelly Pavich joined Bridges in 2007 as an Employer Representative in the Chicago office, progressing into roles including Senior Employer Representative and Team Lead. Throughout her Bridges career, Kelly has been at the leading edge of positive change for our organization, co-facilitating our three-day new hire training for 11 years, developing and now serving as advisor for the Bridges National Curriculum. Recently, Kelly opened and served as Director for Bridges’ 12th office in New York City, home to the nation’s largest school district. Kelly holds a B.A. in Secondary Education from St. Norbert College and an M.A. in Sociology from DePaul University.
Headquarters Team
Loretta Bonhomme
Controller
Andrew Creech
Associate Director of Fundraising Events
Kyra Stanley
Associate Director of National Employer Engagement
Ken Butler
Manager of Events
Flynn Okner
Manager of Grants
Desiree Johnson
Executive Assistant
Betty Abebe
Staff Accountant
Ann Hearn
Accountant Assistant
Program Directors
Our program directors lead the Bridges teams in all 14 cities, working with local schools and employers.
Meet our program directorsBoard of Trustees
Stewards of the mission since 1989.
Our trustees include leaders who have been part of Bridges since the Marriott family founded it.
Richard E. Marriott
Chairman of the Board, Host Hotels and Resorts
Chairman Marriott is also the chairman of the board of directors of Host Hotels and Resorts. A leader in the creation of Bridges, Mr. Marriott remains closely involved. He visits Bridges offices, hosts events in Bridges cities, and hosts the organization’s annual gala in Washington, DC. Mr. Marriott, the younger of the two sons of company founders J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, is a graduate of the University of Utah and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Jennie Blumenthal
CEO & Founder, Corporate Rehab
Jennie Blumenthal, Vice Chair of the Board, is an entrepreneur, a guest lecturer at the University of Virginia, an executive coach for female entrepreneurs, a non-profit board member, and a former partner at PwC. She thrives at the intersection of entrepreneurship, customer insights, innovation, and tech. With over 20 years of experience across hospitality, technology, entertainment, public sector, and telecommunications industries, Jennie’s specialty is counseling executives in sales, marketing, and digital transformations. She started her career in consulting to non-profit organizations, working with Bridges from School to Work as her first client! She’s thrilled to come full circle and continue to serve this important mission as a member of the board of trustees. Jennie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the George Washington University.
Mark R. Donovan
Board Trustee
Mark R. Donovan was instrumental in the creation of Bridges and served as the organization’s executive director from its launch in 1989 through 2000. From 2000 to 2022, he spearheaded the Bridges annual gala fundraiser held each year in June. Mark participates on several related boards around the country and is a recognized advocate for issues and opportunities surrounding the employment of people with disabilities. Mr. Donovan is a 1972 graduate of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.
Debbie Harrison
Global Culture Ambassador Emeritus, Marriott International
Debbie Harrison retired from Marriott International in 2019 and now holds the title Global Cultural Ambassador Emeritus. Debbie serves on Marriott’s board of directors, as a trustee for the J.W. and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, and a director of the JWM Family Enterprise. Debbie formerly served as the Company’s Global Officer, Marriott Culture and Business Councils from October 2013 to May 2019, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs from June 2007 through October 2013, and as Vice President of Government Affairs from May 2006 to June 2007. Ms. Harrison is an honors graduate of Brigham Young University.
Dr. I. King Jordan
President Emeritus, Gallaudet University
Dr. I. King Jordan made history in 1988 when he became the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, the world’s only university with all programs and services designed specifically for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. An inaugural member of Bridges’ Board of Trustees, Dr. Jordan serves as an international spokesperson for deaf and hard of hearing people, as well as an advocate for all persons with disabilities. Dr. Jordan earned his doctorate in psychology from the University of Tennessee, he holds many honorary degrees and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Presidential Citizen’s Medal.
Ellen Ryan Mardiks
Chair, Golin
Ellen Ryan Mardiks leads Golin’s global consumer marketing practice, the agency’s largest and its historic strength. Over the years she has created and led communications campaigns for iconic yet game-changing brands including Walmart, Nestlé, Unilever, Crayola, Purina and Mattel. Ellen is a sponsor and catalyst for the development of strategies and tools to advance the practice of marketing public relations. She also leads the agency’s client management efforts. Ellen graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and also studied at the University of London. Ellen is the parent of a former Bridges participant and a passionate advocate for the mission.
Julie Marriott
Board Trustee
Julie Marriott has long been engaged in her community through non-profit work and philanthropy. She serves as a Director on both the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and the Marriott Daughters Foundation Boards. Julie is currently on the Board of Trustees at Newton-Wellesley Hospital where she serves as the Board liaison to the Community Collaborative of which she is a founding member. Julie is on the Board of Directors of the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI where she serves as Chair of the Development Committee and a member of the Compensation and Executive Committees. Julie is a cum laude graduate of Brigham Young University.
Jimmie Walton Paschall
Board Trustee
Jimmie Walton Paschall is responsible for developing strategies, initiating action and driving organizational change in support of diversity and inclusion priorities. Paschall joined Wells Fargo in January 2012 from Marriott International where she served as the company’s global diversity officer and senior vice president of external affairs. A graduate of Howard University, Ms. Paschall serves on the Consortium of Chief Diversity Officers at Georgetown University and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council.
Julie Sweet
Chair and CEO, Accenture
Julie Sweet is chief executive officer of Accenture and serves on the company’s board of directors. Prior to becoming CEO in September 2019, Julie served as chief executive officer of Accenture’s business in North America. Outside of Accenture, Julie is a leader on topics including innovation, technology’s impact on business, and inclusion and diversity. She also serves on the board of trustees for the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities (Bridges from School to Work). Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.