Board
David Leckey - Chair
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Dr. Tong Pham - Vice Chair
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Jerilyn Hirsch - Founder
Jerilyn decided that when she turned 60 she would retire from her career as an organization development consultant and do something to "make the world a better place." Her professional work focused on helping to make organizations more effective and more humane. It also involved a lot of teaching, albeit to adults.She wanted to do her humanitarian work in Vietnam and learned that Anh Linh Free School needed to start an English program for its students. Living in Vietnam, teaching these amazing kids and working with the teachers and staff at Anh Linh changed her life. After seeing the effect that this work had on the students' lives, Jerri and her husband, Bob Mac Murdo, founded Bridges to Learning so that they could continue the work. Jerri has learned that "making a difference is a choice, not an accident." She continues to inspire people on many continents to make that choice. |
Robert Mac Murdo - Treasurer
"Of the many wonderful things you discover in retirement are the opportunities to give your time and energy for worthwhile causes. I had an engineering background and worked for AT&T in both engineering, marketing and business development for thirty years and wasn't certain where I could use that in a way that met my objectives. I always regarded education as a field of endeavor to pursue and when I met Jerri the answer was very easy. Jerri first asked if I could sponsor a child and that became the easy part. Then when I traveled to Vietnam to visit Jerri while she worked with the school I met my "godchild" and was hooked. Creating Bridges to Learning, Inc. provides the means to help so many and as in business there become goals to meet and tasks to be accomplished but nothing touches the heart more that the recipients, the children." - Bob Mac Murdo |
Debra Hays - Secretary
Debra Hays is a senior counselor at the public relations agency Carmichael Lynch Spong and is a recent Minnesota transplant. She moved to Minneapolis with her husband, Brandon, who is pediatric resident at the University of Minnesota. Her experience includes health and wellness marketing and communications, product launches, events, media relations, and issues management. Her work has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) with a Silver Anvil Award, Bronze Anvil Award, Big Apple Award, SABRE Award and multiple honors by the Minnesota chapter of PRSA. Before joining Carmichael Lynch Spong, Debra worked at global public relations agencies Fleishman-Hillard in Minneapolis and Porter Novelli in New York. She also provided media relations and grassroots outreach support for a national environmental nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. Debra holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Princeton University. She is thankful to be part of a group like Bridges to Learning that is working collaboratively to bring education, health, laughter, and hope to children in need. |
Liem Nguyen
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D. Andrew Brown
D. Andrew Brown comes to Bridges to Learning via New England where he worked as a Development Officer at Brown University and at a distinguished private school. Andrew has his J.D. and vast experience volunteering for nonprofit organizations. Andrew, with his wife Kristin moved to Minnesota to be closer to family, and to accept a position with the University of Minnesota Foundation. |
John C. Johnson
In his consultation with more than 300 organizations, he has addressed client needs in the areas of strategic thinking, business planning, problem solving, organizational changemaking, management coaching, conflict resolution, the management of meetings, and organizational effectiveness assessments. In recent years he has devoted more of his time to mentoring and facilitating the greater development of consulting skills within consulting firms and among professional staff who do consulting within larger organizations. Mr. Johnson has a special reputation with clients in the areas of diagnosing organizational problems and assisting executives with strategic thinking. He is frequently called upon to facilitate important and high-risk corporate meetings. His clients often tell of his being helpful in coaching them regarding the implementation of difficult and comprehensive changes within their organizations. He has the reputation of discovering innovative strategies for business leaders as they struggle with uncertain futures. He has addressed the needs of clients in such diverse fields as manufacturing, technology, energy, professional practice, health care, agriculture, merchant banking, real estate development, social service, education, foundations, and government. In addition to his consultation experience, Mr. Johnson has extensive experience as a line manager as well as experience in the roles of small business owner, corporate administrator, educator, author, counselor, community organizer, and minister. He has received the "Organizational Development Professional of the Year" award from the Southern Minnesota Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. He has been the founder and/or president of several community and professional organizations. |
Becca Pryse
Becca is an alumni member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (delegate to the Philippines in 2004, co-host to China delegation in 2006), and board member of the Minnesota Government Relations Council. As a new board member to Bridges to Learning, Becca is inspired by the mission of the organization and the real difference it has made for hundreds of children who otherwise would not have access to health care, education and other basic needs. |
Katie Wilhoit
Katie is deeply committed to community service, particularly focusing on assistance to children. Her most recent outreach includes fundraising for veterans and volunteering for St. Joseph’s Home for Children. Her experience with international nonprofits is firsthand; she spent significant time in both Haiti and Guatemala volunteering. In both instances, she worked to improve the health and education of children. Katie looks forward to bringing her fundraising experience and passion for helping children to Bridges to Learning. She received her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 2001. |
David Leckey is the current Executive Vice President of the start-up company, Dane Technologies, and is President of Dane HealthCare. Prior to his positions in the medical device industry, Mr. Leckey spent numerous years in the political realm serving as Director of Outreach in the Office of the Governor of Minnesota. With an MA in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University and another MA in Business/Economic Development from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, David Leckey has an extensive academic background directly correlating to the issues at Bridges to Learning.
Dr. Tong Pham is a hospitalist at United Hospital in St. Paul. A medical school graduate of the University of Minnesota, he brings his connections within the Twin Cities Vietnamese community to Bridges to Learning. His Vietnamese language skills have already helped Bridges with translation needs.
Liem Nguyen currently works in a business development role at UnitedHealth Group’s Emerging Businesses Group. Over the last seven years, Liem has held positions in product and portfolio management at UnitedHealth International and UnitedHealthcare. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, he worked at JPMorgan Chase where he was a Vice President and GE Capital where he was a Product Manager. Liem holds a BSB from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.
John Johnson, President, owner, and principal consultant of Changemaking Systems, a Minnesota consulting firm, has been a management consultant to large, mid-size and small businesses, professional practice firms and government groups since 1972. He has also served as adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota and has contributed extensively to professional literature.
Katie Wilhoit is a partner at Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP, representing clients in insurance coverage litigation. She has been with the firm since 2001, coming on as Associate and working her way to her current position.