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.
In addition to our upper management pictured below, BridgeLine has residential caregivers, case managers, and unit coordinators. Our unit coordinators provide support to clients with brain injuries in areas of daily living including personal maintenance, administrative responsibilities, and kitchen-related tasks.
Daniela Pretzer, MD, PhD
Executive Director
Daniela obtained her medical degree in Germany and then pursued careers in clinical work, teaching, and research. A dedication to helping people plus an interest in organizational development brought her to The BridgeLine in the beginning of 2007. Daniela’ s passion is empowering individuals in the brain injury community to achieve their fullest potential and live meaningful lives..
Penny Watson, BA, QDIP, QBISP
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.