The Bridge Board Members

Mary has always been an advocate for youth and education.  She has served many years as a lead and substitute teacher in Virginia, Texas, and Hawai'i.  She was very involved in her children's education and extra curriculars where she served as a PTA board member and volunteered in youth sports.

Currently, Mary implements educational plans for underserved communities in Hawai'i and works directly with those families to support their needs.  She whole-heartedly believes in the mission of The Bridge and has big plans to create opportunities for every Kaua'i scholar so they're better equipped on their journey for higher education on the mainland. 

Chelsea studied secondary education and quickly discovered a passion for serving the wider community. Over the years, she has built a strong background in small business branding and development, marketing, and event planning.

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She currently serves as the Director of Operations for a growing restaurant group and as an Executive Consultant for Catholic Volunteer Network. Chelsea is also the Executive Administrator, Secretary, and a Mentor for The Bridge: Kauai to College, where she supports students and organizational operations with care and commitment.

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Deeply dedicated to service, she volunteers with numerous nonprofits in the arts and education sectors and has been an active PTA member for eight years, serving in multiple leadership roles. With hands-on experience as both a teacher’s assistant and substitute within Frisco ISD in Texas, Chelsea continues to support educational communities while applying her expertise to help organizations grow and thrive.

Kevin McPhee, originally from the island of Bermuda, is a hospitality and education professional. Kevin received his Masters degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cornell University, and has held various executive management positions in the hotel, resort, private club, and restaurant industries.

Kevin has also been involved with the field of education through University of Phoenix for ten years. He currently serves as a substitute at local schools and as a business school lecturer at Kauaʻi Community college. Kevin's love for both Kauaʻi and the education and growth of island kids was what attracted him to The Bridge, where he is a mentor and board member for The Bridge. Now, he serves as our President.

We are working on Becky's updated bio.

 Yuri came to the United States on an IREX (International Research and Exchange) grant.  He has a degree in Economics from the University of Skopje, No. Macedonia, and a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington.  Yuri retired after a successful career in business and is an advocate for cross cultural learning for people of all ages. Yuri's diverse background make him a highly effective member of The Bridge.

Art Stipanovic , Ph.D.is an Emeritus Professor and past chairman of the Chemistry Department at the S.U.N.Y. College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, N.Y. where he also received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees. In addition to his academic experience, Dr. Stipanovic spent almost 20 years working in industrial research and development on projects ranging from energy conserving lubricants to biodegradable composite materials.

Art's extensive background in education and academia have made him a vital part of the Bridge, both as a board member and a mentor to STEM-oriented students. 

We are working on John's updated bio.

Upon meeting Tari Vickery, people often notice her Oklahoma roots in her accent—something she jokingly admits she hasn’t managed to escape, even after nearly 30 years in California and five on Kauai. As founder of Life Matters Financial Group, Tari has spent more than 25 years managing every aspect of her clients’ financial lives. She is also author of her upcoming book, The Emotional Side of Money: A Roadmap to Financial Wellness, a project she first came to Kauai to write.

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Tari brings valuable experience from serving on school and civic boards in both Oklahoma and California. With her B.A. and M.A. in Sociology from Stanford University where she concentrated on organizations, she helped several newly founded Silicon Valley startups launch their fledgling companies with a focus on organizational structure. She enjoys serving on our board and mentoring scholars to support their journeys through the college application process, drawing on her personal and professional expertise, passion for education, and deep commitment to helping others thrive. She serves as the Board Liason for our Parent Advisory Council.