BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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 With over 30 years of experience on Wall Street, Lear has held leadership roles in the Equity Capital Markets business at Citi and Wells Fargo. Over his career, he advised hundreds of leading companies across all industries become public companies and raise capital. His extensive nonprofit experience includes serving on boards and supporting organizations such as DREAM (fka Harlem RBI) and the Westchester Children’s Museum. Lear and his wife, Nan, live in Rye, NY and are the proud parents of a professional ballerina and a college baseball player. Lear graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA and earned his MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. 

 Shawna Hamilton Doster 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 closely with prominent figures and organizations such as 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.

 Dave co-founded The Bridge Foundation after more than a decade of success in leading sports programs aimed at developing student athletes both on and off the field. His experience includes founding Beastmode Athletics and Elite Squad NY, where he guided over 50 student athletes to college through a combination of athletic training and recruiting efforts. Before his coaching career, Dave played four years of college baseball, starting at Northeastern University and finishing at Queens College, followed by two years in independent professional baseball. On the Board of Directors, Dave’s focus is on strategic growth and ensuring the foundation provides vital resources that empower student athletes to leverage their athletic skills toward higher education and lifelong success.

 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 to help brands measure real-world business impact. His career has centered on translating data into growth and developing strategic programs that connect people, purpose, and performance.

That same passion for connection inspired Byron to join The Bridge Foundation for Student Athletes. As the Community and Partnerships Officer, he is responsible for driving the Foundation’s brand awareness within the community—working alongside fellow board members to build relationships with sponsors, universities, and local partners that help student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the field.

Byron and his wife, Jill, live in Staten Island, NY, where they 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 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 went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from CUNY Queens College.

Professionally, Wei has spent the past decade as a sales executive specializing in advanced TV and cross-platform video. His goal is to help brands and ad agencies unlock the power of data and technology to reach audiences more effectively across streaming, CTV, and addressable environments. He’s passionate about innovation, collaboration, and measurable results.

A lifelong baseball enthusiast, Wei’s true passion lies in helping student-athletes from underserved communities gain access to the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive—both on and off the field. Drawing on personal experience and a deep understanding of the challenges many young athletes face, Wei is committed to ensuring they are equipped for success in life after sports.

Wei grew up in Astoria Queens and currently resides in Norwalk, CT with his wife Joanne and daughter Roma (2).