Bridges Leadership

Tad Asbury became executive director in 2003. In this role, Mr. Asbury oversees and directs Foundation operations, ensuring adherence to the Foundation’s mission and underlying principles, achievement of established goals and objectives, and meeting long term organizational stability and growth. Mr. Asbury has a B.A. from Albion College and an M.A. from Georgetown University. tad.asbury@bridgestowork.org

Linda Bender is a 30-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. linda.bender@bridgestowork.org

Allen Brown researches, develops, organizes, and curates content for grants and other Bridges communication. He writes and submits unsolicited and solicited proposals to public and private funders. Allen holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an M.S. from Mercer University. allen.brown@bridgestowork.org

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. He currently spearheads the Bridges annual gala fundraiser held each year in June. Mark also 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. mark.donovan@marriott.com

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. He currently spearheads the Bridges annual gala fundraiser held each year in June. Mark also 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. mark.donovan@marriott.com

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. mark.hearn@bridgestowork.org

Jennie Blumenthal 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.

Jennie Blumenthal 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.

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 for the Company 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.

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 for the Company 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 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. Much sought after as a public speaker, Dr. Jordan continues to challenge the American public to examine their attitudes toward people 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 is the parent of a former Bridges participant: “I believe in the mission of Bridges–to make a difference in the lives of challenged young people who want more than anything else what most of us take for granted: a job. My own son, Matthew, has an intellectual disability and was impacted so positively by his Bridges experience in Chicago. The people (Employer Representatives) there believed in him as we did—and, importantly, they didn’t fill his head with pipedreams. Instead, they helped him appreciate his value in the work place, reinforced that a good job is a great thing, and steered him toward some opportunities that he enjoyed and succeeded at.”

Ellen is the parent of a former Bridges participant: “I believe in the mission of Bridges–to make a difference in the lives of challenged young people who want more than anything else what most of us take for granted: a job. My own son, Matthew, has an intellectual disability and was impacted so positively by his Bridges experience in Chicago. The people (Employer Representatives) there believed in him as we did—and, importantly, they didn’t fill his head with pipedreams. Instead, they helped him appreciate his value in the work place, reinforced that a good job is a great thing, and steered him toward some opportunities that he enjoyed and succeeded at.”

A graduate of Howard University, Ms. Paschall serves on the Consortium of Chief Diversity Officers at Georgetown University and Patton Boggs’ Diversity Advisory Board, is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and the Conference Board’s Council of Global Diversity and Inclusion Executives and is a graduate of Leadership Washington. She was also selected as one of Black Enterprise’s Top Executives in Diversity and Uptown Professionals’ Top 100 Executives in America.

A graduate of Howard University, Ms. Paschall serves on the Consortium of Chief Diversity Officers at Georgetown University and Patton Boggs’ Diversity Advisory Board, is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and the Conference Board’s Council of Global Diversity and Inclusion Executives and is a graduate of Leadership Washington. She was also selected as one of Black Enterprise’s Top Executives in Diversity and Uptown Professionals’ Top 100 Executives in America.

Prior to becoming CEO in September 2019, Julie served as chief executive officer of Accenture’s business in North America, the company’s largest geographic market. Previously, she was Accenture’s general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer for five years. Prior to joining Accenture in 2010, Julie was a partner for 10 years in the law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.

Outside of Accenture, Julie is a leader on topics including innovation, technology’s impact on business, and inclusion and diversity. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, the Business Roundtable and the TechNet Executive Council. Julie also serves on the board of directors for Catalyst, the board of trustees for the Center for Strategic & International Studies and the board of trustees for the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities – Bridges from School to Work. In 2019, she was named to FORTUNE’s list of “Most Powerful Women” for the fourth consecutive year.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.

Prior to becoming CEO in September 2019, Julie served as chief executive officer of Accenture’s business in North America, the company’s largest geographic market. Previously, she was Accenture’s general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer for five years. Prior to joining Accenture in 2010, Julie was a partner for 10 years in the law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.

Outside of Accenture, Julie is a leader on topics including innovation, technology’s impact on business, and inclusion and diversity. She is a member of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, the Business Roundtable and the TechNet Executive Council. Julie also serves on the board of directors for Catalyst, the board of trustees for the Center for Strategic & International Studies and the board of trustees for the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities – Bridges from School to Work. In 2019, she was named to FORTUNE’s list of “Most Powerful Women” for the fourth consecutive year.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College and a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.