Bridges Staff
Bridges is a small non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our staff is small, but mighty! Each person takes on a variety of responsibilities and makes a huge impact on the day-to-day operations, and in the lives of our students.
Stacy Bruce
Executive Director
Stacy grew up the daughter of a football coach, which means she moved towns every 4 years. However, it was Norman that she chose to call home. Stacy graduated from Norman High in 1993. She then attended and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts.
After college, Stacy began a career with the YMCA. She worked in Dallas, Tulsa, OKC, and also Norman. She held positions from health and wellness director to branch director, to most recently Vice President of Operations at the Cleveland County YMCA in Norman.
In November of 2016, Stacy left a career of almost 20 years with the YMCA to become the Executive Director at Bridges of Norman. The mission: “empowering high school students in family crisis to pursue education without obstacles” was what really sold Stacy on the career move. Working with young people, addressing critical issues in the community, and helping youth succeed are all passions of Stacy’s. Bridges’ mission and Stacy’s aspirations are synonymous and reflective of her commiment, focus, and passion for helping people.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors at the Norman Chamber of Commerce, Stacy has Co-Chaired the Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Tomorrows Leaders program, the Norman Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Committee, and was the Vice Chair of programs for the Norman Chamber of Commerce. She is an executive member of the Cleveland County Continuum of Care and a member of the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (GICH). Stacy also is a proud alumnus of the Norman Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy and Leadership Norman 2015. She is a member of the Sooner Rotary Club in Norman, and a member of Life Church.
Stacy is married to husband, Shannon, and together they have two amazing children, Madison and Landon.
BIANCA GORDON
ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bianca Gordon joined Bridges in September 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
music from the University of Tulsa in 2000, and a Master of Arts degree in mass communication
management (strategic communication) from the University of Oklahoma in 2014, successfully
completing research about the benefits of professional networking. Part of her role as associate
executive director includes connecting students living at Bridges with career exploration, jobs,
tutors and mentors. Gordon oversees the development of the organization’s employment
program by matching student interests with host businesses.
Gordon also coordinates life skills activities and supervises the organization’s resident advisors
Gordon serves on the board of directors for the historic Norman Depot where she is chair of the
marketing and development committee and is an appointed member of the Norman Public
Library board. She is also an adjunct public relations research and writing professor at Gaylord
College of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. Gordon founded
Spire Public Relations in 2016.
Gordon has a daughter, Chesna, and is an insatiable learner who loves spending time with
family, doing real estate on the side and playing trivia. Gordon is a sixth generation Oklahoman.
Mary Smith
career coaching and success coordinator
Mary grew up in Norman most of her life but moved to Ada for high school to be closer to her grandparents. She graduated from Ada High School in 2001 and then went onto the University of Oklahoma where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in African and African American Studies. While at OU she was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship and was recognized as the Big XII Native American Freshman of the Year.
Since high school Mary was involved with an organization called UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) and while in that group, she was elected to its national executive committee and served and the female co-president and board of trustee member.
Mary is the career coaching and success coordinator for Bridges and works to assist students as they define their career aspirations. She helps them explore standard college, community college and other postsecondary programs, including apprenticeships and workforce training.
Mary has worked for Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as a family advocate and transition mentor and with the Association of American Indian Physicians Family Preservation as the program director. She is a
member of Victory Family Church in Norman. Mary is married to husband Kyle. They have two wonderful children, Daniel and Isabel.
Andrea Schlupp
social services coordinator
Andrea joined the Bridges team in August 2021 and serves as social services coordinator. She plans weekly on-site life skills at area high schools and provides resources and case management for students with more intensive needs.
Schlupp earned a Bachelor of Social Work from The University of Oklahoma in 2017, and went on to graduate with a Master of Social Work in 2018. She is currently applying for her licensure to be a licensed master
social worker.
Andrea moved from Germany to Norman in 2005 with her husband and four children. Her two sons and two daughters attended Norman Public
Schools where Andrea was an active member of the PTA. She volunteered in different school functions throughout the years. Her time as a reading mentor at a local middle school sparked her commitment to help students
achieve their goals.
She worked as a special education teaching assistant for NPS before she
returned to school to earn her social work degrees. Andrea’s family and their dog, Tommy, lived on OU’s campus in Walker Center as part of the Faculty-in-Residence program, supporting freshmen adapting to life at OU.
Andrea enjoys learning opportunities and wholeheartedly supports Bridges’ mission to empower students to pursue education without obstacles.
