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.
Connor Ambrose
Vice Chair
Connor is an operations executive in the renewables and construction industries. Based in Manhattan, his professional focus centers on corporate strategy, risk management, finance, and information technology. Previously, Connor worked in outdoor youth education and community development, where he saw firsthand the value of an active support network in helping young people realize their full potential. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Drew University and hails from the Philadelphia area.
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.
Charles M. Allen
Secretary
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.
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 Partner at Saul Ewing and the owner of Lois Hagarty Advisors LLC. 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. 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.
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.
Monee Pressley
Moniginia (Monée) Pressley is an HR Risk & Compliance leader with over 18 years in Human Resources, including 13 years focused on governance, operational risk, and regulatory alignment across U.S. and global operations. She is currently the Principal HR Risk & Compliance Consultant at Unbreakable Compliance. She previously held leadership roles at Sallie Mae and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Earlier in her career, Monée spent 14 years working in administration offices at institutions of higher education including the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, a commitment to service and helping those in need was instilled in her at a young age. In recent years, Monée served as a board member for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Philadelphia County, the Center for Families and Relationships (CFAR), and the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School (RAPCS). Monée previously volunteered as a Philly Reading Coach at her local elementary school and as a tutor for adult education/GED students. She is currently a K-12 volunteer tutor for students in the School District of Philadelphia. Her passion in life is helping to ensure children receive the care and nurturing they need to become healthy and whole adults as well as walking alongside those who are hurting and struggling to overcome life's challenges. Monée earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Education (Education Administration) from Temple University.
Rebecca Mercurio
Joined 2025
Lauren Willis
Director of Turning Points Older Youth Programs. Lauren is mission-driven systems leader and nonprofit executive with 15+ years of experience advancing youth development through cross-sector collaboration, organizational capacity building, and strategic program innovation. Lauren began her early work at the Department of Human Services (DHS), were she instantly developed a passion for working with older youth who were receiving either in-home or placement services.
In 2010, Lauren then transitioned to Turning Points for Children after receiving her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Lauren has worked within a variety of programs at Turning Points, including the Parenting Collaborative, Families and Schools Together (FAST), and also supervising within the Community Umbrella Agencies (CUA 9). As Director of LifeSet, she launched the Turning Points program for youth who age out of foster care in 2017 and has since grown the unit into a full Older Youth Division which includes LifeSet, Re-Up215 (a Diversion Program), HELP Youth Rapid Rehousing Housing Program, and BIPS Intensive Prevention Services. The Turning Points’ Older Youth Division currently provides services to over 400 Philadelphia youth each year.
As a Philadelphia native, Lauren will forever be committed to the youth and young adults of this city. She continues to cultivate frontline staff, midlevel managers and executive leaders alike, to think outside of the box when servicing youth and young adults. Lauren is committed to ensuring that older youth programming is centered in youth voice, especially for youth who are exciting care.
