Leadership

The leadership of the Bridges from School to Work program is comprised of:

• Directors of our Bridges sites
• Executive Team in the Bethesda Office
• Board of Trustees of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities

Executive Leadership at Bethesda HQ

Tad Asbury

Vice President & Executive Director
Tad Asbury joined the Foundation 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.

Linda Bender

Director of Administration and Board Secretary
Linda Bender is a 23-year Marriott veteran and has been serving the Marriott Foundation for the last 12 years. Ms. Bender provides administrative leadership, direction and guidance at the Foundation headquarters and to local Bridges 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 management and corporate standards and policies.

Mark Hearn

Director of Finance
Mark Hearn manages the Foundation’s day-to-day financial operations, overseeing budgeting, accounting, fiscal tracking, reporting and contract invoicing. Mr. Hearn supervises the Foundation’s 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.

Marriott Foundation Board of Trustees

Richard E. Marriott

Chairman
Chairman Richard E. Marriott is also the chairman of the board of directors of Host Hotels and Resorts. A leader in the creation of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities and Bridges from School to Work, Mr. Marriott remains closely involved. He visits each of the local offices annually, hosts events in each Bridges’ city as well as the Foundation’s annual gala in Washington. 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.

Mark R. Donovan

Vice-Chairman
Mark R. Donovan was instrumental in the creation of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities and Bridges from School to Work, and served as the organization’s executive director from its launch in 1989 through 2000. As vice-chairman, he continues to serve the foundation in an advisory role, participates in a number of 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.

Dr. I. King Jordan

Past President, Gallaudet University
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 the Foundation’s 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 Gallaudet, he holds many honorary degrees and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Presidential Citizen's Medal.

Stephen G. Marriott

Executive Vice President of Company Culture, Marriott International, Inc.
Stephen G. Marriott, a grandson of the company’s founders, has worked in a wide range of both line and management positions with Marriott International during his more than 30 year career. As executive V.P. of culture he is currently responsible for perpetuating Marriott’s core values within the company. Additionally, he serves as chairman of Marriott’s Business Councils. Mr. Marriott sits on a number of boards, many of them for organizations dealing with sensory disabilities. He is an honor graduate of Brigham Young University and has earned an M.B.A. from Arizona State University.