Lori Pendroff - President/Executive Director

Lori Pendroff, for the last 20 years, has demonstrated unwavering commitment to mental health and substance abuse treatment for populations of chronic co-occurring disorders. Lori, joining B.R.I.D.G.E.S. in the capacity of Executive Director at the beginning of 2007, is a driving force to positive change in the delivery of services and organizational development. Lori’s long standing career includes serving various, underserved populations throughout nationally recognized agencies in Los Angeles County. Her experiences expand across all treatment modalities including intensive outpatient, day rehabilitation and treatment, and crisis and long term residential, with a passion for psychosocial rehabilitation. Lori earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, with a concentration in Psychology and is a Certified Addiction’s Specialist. In addition, she has completed specialized trainings in the areas of organizational development, mental health, and substance abuse and is excited to have the opportunity to work with the staff and clients of B.R.I.D.G.E.S. to develop and expand quality treatment services.

Magdalena Disbrow - Executive Assistant

Lynnae Hernandez - Director of Fiscal Services

Lynnae Hernandez graduated from the University of the Americas in Pueble, Mexico, with a B.S. degree in Psychology in 1985.  After concluding her studies, she went to work in the nursing home industry and earned her Nursing Home Administrator's license in 1988.  Lynnae has experience managing long term care facilities specializing in mental health, Alzheimer's disease, and geriatric care.  Lynnae brings to BRIDGES extensive experience in management, mental health, and accounting.

Judi Steele - Human Resources Director

Judi, a Certified CPR and first Aid Trainer joined B.R.I.D.G.E.S. after gaining ten years of valuable human relations and business management experience, in a variety of environments.  Specific management and administrative skills that Judi has had an opportunity to develop over the years, include human resources management, human relations, policy and procedural protocol, and the ability to lead various complex projects.  B.R.I.D.G.E.S. quickly recognized Judi's natural abilities and knowledge, and enthusiastically promoted her to the management team, and the Human Resources Department.

Kimberly Rhodes - Director of Programs and Services

Kimberly,with her B.S. in Fine Arts and near completion of her C.A.A.D.A.C., has brought many elements of creativity and program design to B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Kimberly has 15 years experience working in the field of Mental Health and over 5 years in Residential Services. She has worked with Transitional Age Youth most of her career and specializes in Co-Occurring Disorders. Kimberly has been part of B.R.I.D.G.E.S. leadership team for 3 years

Silvia Diaz - Intake and Admissions Coordinator

Silvia Diaz graduated from California State University-Los Angeles with a Bachelors degree in Social Work. Prior to coming on board with B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Inc. Silvia worked in a psychiatric outpatient mental health clinic for 2 years. She provided intensive case management and mental health services. Silvia is no stranger to assessment, referral and placement.  Additionally, Silvia has been 5150 certified to assess and hospitalize when needed.
 

Linda Brannan - Program Director

Linda Brannan graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History and also obtained an Elementary Teaching Credential from Lewis Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho. Additionally, she attended two years of law school at Ridgecrest School of Law in Ridgecrest, California.

Linda joined B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Inc., in October of 2007. Prior to her employment at B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Inc., she had over twenty years experience in various administrative capacities in the medical field with over 4 ½ years experience in working with adults and children with both Axis I and Axis II mental health disabilities, adults with co-occurring disorders, and adults remanded by the courts to attend outpatient drug and alcohol programs.
 

Jermaine Dickerson - Program Director

Jermaine Dickerson has been working in the mental health field for ten (10) years and five (5) of those years have been with B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Jermaine is currently a student at Cal State University of Northridge, completing his B.A degree in Psychology. In addition, Jermaine is actively involved in various community projects, specifically serving as a mentor at various schools. He enjoys motivating and encouraging young children to strive for success.

Laura Knight - Program Director

Laura Knight graduated from a private university with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and has been in the social service field for over 10 years. Her professional background is multi faceted and includes working with individuals whose development run across the entire lifespan, assisting individuals to develop skills in the areas of vocational training, behavior management, social skills, independent living, mobility, and self-advocacy.

 In addition, she holds experience in staff development, program development and reconstruction, as well as developing and implementing policies and procedures to meet and maintain governance and other requirements for licensing and accrediting agencies.

Tracy Levy - Program Director

Tracy Levy graduated from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, and began her career with B.R.I.D.G.E.S. in May 2006 as a Mental Health Worker and became Program Director in October 2006. For the past 2 - 3 years Tracy has worked with adolescents and adults with both physical and mental health disabilities. In her current position of Program Director, she has been instrumental in developing a structured program whereby the clients can develop and improve skills in the areas needed in order to becoming more independent. Tracy has recently accepted the new challenge of managing two different program sites for B.R.I.D.G.E.S.

Lisa Maher - Program Director

Lisa Maher graduated from California State Los Angeles with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work. Prior to coming on board with B.R.I.D.G.E.S., Inc. she worked in psychiatric inpatient care. Lisa has been a dedicated employee at B.R.I.D.G.E.S. for 9 1/2 years. During Lisa's tenure with B.R.I.D.G.ES. she has been the Program Director for all three of the El Monte locations, at different times. Lisa has over 13 years experience with working with clients with co-occurring disorders. She has been instrumental in locating educational, vocational, and housing for clients at B.R.I.D.G.E.S

Ianthe McMichael, LCSW - Clinical Coordinator

Ianthe McMichael, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and one of the Clinical Coordinators for B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Ianthe McMichael provides clinical oversight of programs and services, clinical supervision to treatment staff and guides the program in addressing co-occurring disorders.

Stacey Sigman, LCSW - Clinical Coordinator

Stacey is a licensed clinical social worker. She graduated from USC in 1991 with an emphasis in mental health. She has worked in residential care most of her post graduate career providing direct service as a therapist, case manager and clinical supervisor. With the onset of EPSDT state funding, Stacey concentrated the last 8 years to developing, administrating and overseeing mental health rehabilitation programs in residential settings. She has a training background and specializes in teaching Therapeutic Milieu to residential care counselors and mental health staff. She currently has a private practice, provides supervision and consultation.

Daphne Tanori - Program Director

Michael Garcia - NISH Site Supervisor

Michael Garcia graduated from Los Angeles Trade Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and has spent much of his career in non-profit social services. He has been involved in the provision of direct services as well as serving in an administrative and supervisory capacity. This is his second year with B.R.I.D.G.E.S., first serving as the Executive Assistant and recently becoming the new program supervisor for B.RI.D.G.E.S.' NISH program. While at B.R.I.D.G.E.S. he has chaired the safety committee and helped re-establish the safety culture within the organization.