Meet Laurie

Posted on 4/05/2010 by The Bridge

On Tuesday, April 20th from 6-8pm The Bridge will be hosting a Happy Hour at Red Sky. Click here for all of the juicy details. We invite everyone (even you reading this) to mingle with our staff and learn more about our programs and services as well as volunteer opportunities. This is also a great opportunity to meet the new members on our Board of Directors, Laurie Melton and Lance Braunstein. Leading up to our Happy Hour on April 20th, we will be posting Q & A interviews to give you head start of getting to know our new board members.

Meet Laurie


How and why did you get involved with The Bridge?
Prior to working at American Express I studied and worked in public health and psychiatric research. Over the last couple of years, I had been looking for an opportunity to get involved with a nonprofit in this area. I heard about a program at American Express that linked employees with nonprofits and through that program I learned about The Bridge. I was struck by the positivity and commitment of the staff and board and excited to become involved with a long-established organization that impacts so many people in such a wide variety of ways.

Are you a Mets, Yankees, Giants or Jets fan?
Much to my dad's dismay, I never developed a loyalty to my hometown team, the Mariners, and over time have become a bit of a Yankee fan.

What was your first job?
In high school I was a nursing assistant at a senior care center.

If you had any super power what would it be?
Time travel -- it would be amazing to be able to go back in time and see firsthand great moments and periods in history.

Who is the person you look up to/admire the most?
There isn't one person I would single out. I admire anyone who has courage, intelligence, humility and a great sense of humor.

What is your favorite thing to do in New York?
I love being out at Fire Island in the summertime, relaxing and enjoying the beach.

What is the one thing you can't live without?
See answer to "Favorite thing to do in New York"

What is your favorite pizza place in New York?
The pizza at Gonzo in the West Village is delicious as well as my neighborhood brick-oven place, Toby's.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Perhaps not a talent per se, but I can turn my feet almost all the way around backwards.

What was your favorite television show growing up?
The Muppet Show!



Some other info you may want to know (Professional Bio)
Laurie moved to New York City from the Seattle area in 1992 in what was meant to be a temporary relocation for graduate school in Psychology and, later, Epidemiology. She fell in love with the city and put down roots. Laurie is a Senior Manager at American Express, where she has been working for nearly 9 years. She is active in American Express charitable events throughout the year and in all 5 boroughs. Laurie has a BA and MA in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound and New School for Social Research respectively and a MA in Public Health from the Mailman School at Columbia University. A resident of Brooklyn, Laurie is an avid reader, an aspiring gardener and currently on a quest for the prefect
banh mi sandwich.



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