Bridging the Gap. Empowering Futures. Changing Lives.
The Bridge Foundation was built on years of hands-on work in the field. Founder Dave Fisher spent over a decade as a private trainer and coach, personally guiding more than 100 student athletes through the college recruiting process and athletic development programs through organizations like Steer for Student Athletes and Elite Squad Baseball. Talent was never the issue. Access was. The Foundation exists to fix that.
The Bridge Foundation works to level the playing field for high school student athletes who lack the information and financial resources to navigate the recruiting process. We connect talent with opportunity and give athletes from underserved communities a real path to college.
We work directly with underserved high school student athletes, covering financial barriers, building their skills, and connecting them with the right college programs. Our College Advisory Board brings real recruiting and admissions expertise to every athlete we serve.
Our support doesn't stop at admission. We stay with our athletes through college and beyond, providing scholarships, mentorship, and the tools to succeed on and off the field.
Long before The Bridge Foundation had a name, the work was already being done. Dave Fisher spent years in the field as a private trainer and coach, personally guiding more than 100 student athletes through the college recruiting process and athletic development programs through organizations like Steer for Student Athletes and Elite Squad Baseball. The results were clear. So was the need to scale.
The Foundation was built by the same coaches, advocates, and community leaders who had already been doing this work side by side. They had seen what happened when the right support reached the right athlete. That group now serves as the Foundation's Board of Directors, and their commitment hasn't changed, only the scale has.
The Bridge Foundation was created to take that impact further, reaching more athletes, across more sports, from more communities. The door that was opened for so many is now open wider than ever.
3.3Avg. GPA Across Our Athletes
100%Free to Join & Participate
100%College Placement Rate
Our Commitment
Mission
Level the playing field for student athletes who lack access to the information, resources, and guidance needed to compete for college opportunities.
Vision
A world where athletic talent and hard work determine where a young person goes next. Not zip code. Not income.
Beyond Admission
We stay in the game. Our support extends through college and into post-graduate life, because getting in is just the beginning.
Our Board brings together leaders from finance, law, nonprofits, and athletics, all united by a commitment to empowering the next generation of student athletes.
Dave Fisher
Founder & Executive Director
Dave Fisher co-founded The Bridge Foundation after more than a decade leading sports programs focused on developing student athletes on and off the field. His experience includes founding Beastmode Athletics and Elite Squad NY, where he was instrumental in the college recruiting and athletic development of more than 100 student athletes. Before coaching, Dave played four years of college baseball at Northeastern University and Queens College, followed by two years in independent professional baseball. On the Board, his focus is on strategic growth and making sure every athlete in the program has what they need to get to college and through it.
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Shawna Hamilton Doster
Chair of the Board
Shawna brings over 15 years of extensive nonprofit leadership experience, having served as both Board Chair and Executive Director for national nonprofits. She has successfully secured partnerships and funding working with prominent figures and organizations including Tina Fey, Mario Batali, Starbucks, ING Direct, Hilton & Homewood Suites, Capital One, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and high-net-worth donors. An attorney licensed in Texas and Connecticut, Shawna has nearly 30 years of experience in civil litigation and risk management. She is the mother of an NCAA Division 1 Dartmouth Women's Ice Hockey Player and a 2020 West Point NCAA Division 1 Baseball Recruit.
Byron Valverde
Vice Chair & Community and Partnerships Officer
For the past decade, Byron has worked across the Telecommunications, Media, Technology, and Data industries, leading Sales and Partnerships with major MVPDs, TV networks, streaming platforms, and data providers. His career has centered on translating data into growth and developing strategic programs that connect people, purpose, and performance. As Community and Partnerships Officer, he drives the Foundation's brand awareness and builds relationships with sponsors, universities, and local partners. Byron and his wife Jill live in Staten Island, NY and are proud parents of three future student-athletes: Franco (7), Giancarlo (5), and Angelo Jeter "AJ" (3). He holds a B.A. from CUNY Queens College and an M.S. from Monroe University.
Wei Chang
Treasurer & Finance & Development Officer
Wei is a dedicated advocate for student-athletes and a passionate believer in the power of education and community. Originally from Taiwan, Wei immigrated to the United States and earned a B.A. in Media Studies from CUNY Queens College. Professionally, he has spent the past decade as a sales executive specializing in advanced TV and cross-platform video, helping brands unlock the power of data and technology across streaming, CTV, and addressable environments. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, Wei's true passion lies in helping student-athletes from underserved communities access the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive, both on and off the field. Wei grew up in Astoria, Queens and currently resides in Norwalk, CT with his wife Joanne and daughter Roma.
Linda Fisher
Secretary & Governance Officer
With over 50 years in the healthcare sector across clinical, administrative, and national cancer accreditation consultant roles, Linda brings extensive health equity strategy and lean process design expertise to academic and underserved community hospitals. For the last 26 years she has been part of Montefiore Einstein, a premier New York academic health system serving one of the nation's most diverse and economically challenged urban populations. As Director of the Cancer Registry Program & Analytics, she translates oncology data into community action by identifying gaps in cancer care and delivering critical analysis to support precision medicine. Being part of The Bridge Foundation is a natural extension of her commitment to mentoring and giving back. Linda brings the same passion and advocacy to the Foundation's mission of leveling the playing field for talented student athletes. She is the proud mother of a Division 1 athlete and resides with her family in Stamford, CT.
Interested in joining our board?
We're always looking for passionate leaders who share our vision.
With over 15 years in athletic coaching and program management, Dave Fisher has dedicated his career to advancing opportunities for young student athletes from underserved communities. He founded Beastmode Athletics and Elite Squad NY, nationally recognized for athletic development and recruiting success.
Over the course of his career, David has been instrumental in the college recruiting and athletic development of more than 100 student athletes, long before the Foundation was formalized. As Executive Director, he continues to lead the programs and relationships that make those outcomes possible for a new generation of athletes.
Development Team
Our Development Team provides essential support and guidance as we build and grow the Foundation.
Christianna Molina
Development Team
HR tech professional and Adelphi University graduate. Over a decade working with student athletes, combining fitness, education, and HR expertise to create equitable opportunities.
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Emily Bessette
Development Team
Licensed social worker, 10+ years in nonprofits. Former student athlete at Mount Holyoke (psychology), master's from Fairfield University. Has seen firsthand how athletics and community support benefit youth mental health.
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Hamilton Doster
Development Team
D1 ice hockey athlete at Dartmouth with 16+ years of competitive experience. Top fundraiser for A Shot for Life's inaugural women's hockey game, raising thousands for cancer research at Mass General Hospital.
College Advisory Board
Our advisors assist student-athletes through both college recruiting and the admissions process.
Kevin Valdovinos
College Advisory Board
Assistant coach, Columbia men's soccer. Director of Player Development, White Plains Youth Soccer. two-time NJCAA Academic All-American. Founder of Valdovinos Performance. Pursuing US Soccer National Coaching License.
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Christian Paulino
College Advisory Board
Assistant Principal, Stamford High School. 18+ years in education. Bilingual coach with a decade at Headfirst HonorRoll, helping athletes gain exposure to top academic programs nationwide.
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DJ Peoples
College Advisory Board
Former Purchase College basketball player, now coaching at her alma mater. Dedicated to helping student-athletes balance athletic excellence with personal growth and academic success.
Mike Skrapits
College Advisory Board
Former head coach Regis High School (2008–12), now at Fordham Prep. 14th year as senior staff at Headfirst Honor Roll Camp, working with hundreds of high-academic college coaches.
Every resource an athlete needs to earn their spot at the next level.
Membership in the Foundation is 100% free. We provide financial assistance based on each athlete's individual need, because we believe financial constraints should never stand between talent and opportunity.
