Staff members of The BridgeLine come from all walks of life to live, work, and learn from people with disabilities. They believe strongly in the ideal of service and in the mission of The BridgeLine. They want to integrate the values of their personal lives with the ideals of their working lives.
Daniela Pretzer, MD PhD – Executive Director
I obtained my medical degree in Germany and then pursued a clinical career, teaching, and research. A dedication to helping people, along with my interest in organizational development, brought me to The BridgeLine in the beginning of 2007. My commitment is to support everyone in The BridgeLine in any way I can to enable them to live their lives to the fullest.
Penny Watson, BA QDIP – Programs Director
As the Programs Director of The BridgeLine, Penny is committed to building robust, innovative and sustainable services for persons experiencing brain injuries in central Virginia. Penny has been a leader in the field of disability and behavioral health services and advocacy for 26 years. She has served as a program manager, case manager, State reviewer and provider of services. Penny is a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities and has a history of serving vulnerable populations including individuals involved with the justice system and people experiencing socio-economic challenges. She is passionate about creating systems which empower people to gain independence and achieve their goals.
Kenn, Chief Financial Officer
Kenn is a serial entrepreneur and senior financial manager with expertise in starting and managing micro to small business operations. He has started, grown, and successfully sold three businesses. In 2002, he shifted his attention to nonprofit organizations and served for four years as the CFO of the Community Council for the Homeless and seven years as CFO of Hispanic Communications Network, both in Washington, D.C. He is an alumnus of Warren Wilson College, where he majored in History, Political Science, and Economics. Kenn’s family is impacted by brain injury and he brings a special passion to his work with The BridgeLine. His mission is to help every person with a brain injury realize their full potential and ensuring every family helping them achieve their goal is fully supported.