Bridge Way Board of Directors
The Bridge Way School was founded by The Greater Philadelphia Association of Recovery Education (GPARE), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing recovery education to secondary and post-secondary students in the Philadelphia area. GPARE and Bridge Way share the Board of Directors.
Seth Hagarty
Chair
Seth is a co-founder of LXR Holdings, a real estate firm providing workforce housing throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. LXR redevelops blighted property in our region, transforming it into quality, market rate, affordable housing. LXR is one of the largest providers of quality affordable housing in some of the region’s most economically challenged areas. Seth received his bachelor's degree and MBA from Temple University where he studied economics and finance.
Bob Lamb
Treasurer
Bob Lamb is the Director of Operations & Programs for Be a Part of the Conversation. Bob is also a person in long term recovery. Through the course of his recovery and education, he has worked to enhance recovery support services and harm reduction interventions for people in and seeking recovery across the greater Philadelphia area, both professionally and as a volunteer. Bob earned a Bachelors in Health Sciences from the University of the Sciences and a Masters of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Temple University.
Connor Ambrose
Secretary
Connor is currently Director of Corporate Operations at I-Grace, a luxury construction company headquartered in New York City. His professional focus centers on corporate strategy, risk management, back-office functionality, and information technology. Previously, Connor worked in outdoor youth education and community development, seeing firsthand the value of an active support network for each to realize their full potential. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Drew University.
Erin C. Bernard
Executive Director
Erin Bernard (B.A. Journalism, M.A. History, M.A.T. English Grades 7-12) joined The Bridge Way School in February 2023. With an array of experience in secondary education, postsecondary learning, and public history, Erin is devoted to serving our city’s youth and addressing issues of urban crisis with the core values of love, action, resilience, and empathy. She is a seasoned teacher leader, grassroots humanities innovator, and trauma-informed educator who enjoys problem solving, building with communities, and service learning. Erin is a fierce advocate for people experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. She is an active scholar who problematizes how our education system can better mitigate barriers to attendance and engagement for alternative high school students in Philadelphia and beyond. Erin is thrilled to lead the Bridge Way team on a path of growth and possibility.
Lois Hagarty J.D.
Lois is a Principal at State Street Advisors LLC, a Pennsylvania Lobbying and Consulting Firm, and a Partner at Saul Ewing. She is a former Pennsylvania State Representative (R-148), serving from 1980-1992. Prior to her service in the Legislature, she was the First Assistant District Attorney of Montgomery County and taught elementary school in Upper Merion School District. Lois serves on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the ACLU. Her priorities for change are criminal justice reform and in particular treating Substance Use Disorder as a disease, not a crime. Lois led the effort to create a Pilot Program in Pennsylvania for recovery high schools, which resulted in Bridge Way receiving funding for the academic program of its students.
Charles M. Allen
Charles (Chuck) Allen is the Associate Vice Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the Fox School of Business at Temple University. He has more than 20 years of higher education experience, with a demonstrated history of supporting student access and development. He also serves as an adjunct instructor for the school, teaching a Business Communications course. A dual Temple graduate, Chuck earned his undergraduate degree in journalism and his masters degree in educational administration.
David Fair
David is Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Turning Points for Children, which provides child abuse prevention, foster care, and adoption services in Philadelphia. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he has played a meaningful role in a number of human service areas, including AIDS, homelessness, children’s mental health, and child welfare. In addition to various governmental and nonprofit roles, he has served as Senior Vice President for United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and currently serves on eight nonprofit boards of directors. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.