The Bridges Foundation Trustees

The Bridges Foundation was established in 1987 by Jack & Nancy Bridges. Since then, the Board of Trustees has expanded to include Jack's two daughters, Kathy and Karen and business associate, Blair Cummins. The foundation was established with the belief that a small foundation can be highly selective and much more cost effective than large charities with high operating and administrative expenses.

Jack Bridges & Nancy Bridges
Jack started a national annuity agency in 1973, after years as an insurance industry executive. In retirement, he concentrates on investment matters. Nancy is an avid gardener and gourmet cook. They travel extensively and make their home in Tiburon, California.

Kathy Bridges has assisted Jack & Nancy Bridges since the creation of The Bridges Foundation in 1987. She was appointed as Executive Director in 2000 and has been a trustee since 2001.

Kathy has nineteen years directing non-profit agencies.  Her efforts include directing Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association in Newport, OR (1975-1980), spearheading the Small Farmers Market in Newport, OR (1977-1980), and directing The Children's Guild, Salem, OR (1982-1994) which is now operated by Easter Seals. 

Kathy continues to serve non-profit organizations.  She serves on the Advisory Board for Autism Society of Oregon, Portland, OR, and served on their Board of Directors, 1996-2008. Kathy serves on the Board and is Secretary/Treasurer for Oregon Aquaculture Association, Stayton, OR since 2004. In this capacity, she coordinates Pond Schools throughout Oregon working with OSU Extension Service and AquaFish Collaborate Research Support Program. Since 2007, Kathy serves on the Board and is Secretary/Treasurer for Northwest Land Conservation Trust, Silverton, OR. 

In 1991, Kathy was recognized by Governor Barbara Roberts and Salem YWCA as "Tribute to Outstanding Women" for significant contributions and services.

In addition to charitable activities, Kathy was manager for artist, Lorenzo E. Ghiglieri, Aurora, OR (1998-2002). Kathy has a Bachelor degree in Zoology and a Masters in Resource Economics. Since 1980, Kathy manages her 140-acre farm raising warm-water fish, sheep, duck hunting and crops.  Kathy is married to Ken Dunder and has three sons and three stepsons.

Karen Wassenberg has been a Trustee since 2001. She is a Certified Public Accountant with eighteen years professional tax experience.  She currently works in the tax department of a large corporation in Portland, Oregon.  She has a Masters Degree in Range Management and a keen interest in environmental protection.   She is an avid cyclist and has three children.  She is a soccer mom who lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon with her eight year old daughter and husband.

Blair Cummins is the co-founder and CEO of SportsMates, Inc., a social networking startup based in Marin County, California. SportsMates currently operates a number of online sports communities for official entities, including Gillette and the Chicago Shamrox. Prior to SportsMates, Inc., Blair co-founded DomainMinds.com, LLC, a diversified Internet firm. Most notably, the company built and continues to operate the official website of tennis star Anna Kournikova, Kournikova.com. For their work on the website, Blair and the company were nominated for the prestigious Computerworld Honors Program award and Blair became a Computerworld Honors Laureate in April 2002. Originally a domain name brokerage, DomainMinds.com, LLC brokered the sale of a number of high-profile domain names, including encryption.com.

Appreciation is extended to Jake Fitzpatrick, son of Kathy Bridges, for designing this web page for The Bridges Foundation.