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Welcome BRIDGE’s new Programs Director, Cole Still!

Hi, I’m Cole — and I’m so excited to be joining you at BRIDGE.

I’ve spent my career alongside people building things that matter—in nonprofits, higher education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and community development. And I’ve learned that the most capable leaders are often carrying more than anyone sees.

My background is in helping ambitious ideas become programs, partnerships, and strategies that actually sustain themselves—work that’s generated more than $1M in new revenue for the organizations I’ve supported and I’m proud of that. But the numbers aren’t what matters most to me; the people are.

Behind every strategic plan is someone trying to make the right call. Behind every program is a team trying to serve people well. Behind every revenue goal is an organization trying to still be here next year—for the community counting on it. So I’m not arriving with a playbook or another list of things you “should” be doing. You have enough lists.

I want to understand your reality. What’s keeping you up at night? Where does your team feel stretched? What opportunity have you never had the capacity to explore? What are you doing simply because you’ve always done it?

Some of our work together will be big questions about growth and sustainability. Other times, you’ll just need someone to sit beside you and help sort out what deserves your attention now, what can wait, and what you might finally let go of. Bring me the unfinished idea. The program that isn’t working. The decision you keep circling. The problem too messy for a strategic plan. You don’t need the answer, or even the question, fully figured out. We’ll find it together.

I believe the people closest to a problem usually already hold much of what’s needed to solve it. My job isn’t to walk in knowing your organization better than you do—it’s to ask good questions, offer another perspective, and help turn possibility into something real.

Over the next few months, before we build, I’ll be getting to know organizations across Collective and listening to what you need. So when we meet: no polished pitch, no pretending everything’s fine. Bring me the thing you’re excited about, the thing you’re stuck on, the thing your team keeps avoiding. That’s usually where the interesting possibilities begin.

I can’t wait to meet you.

— Cole

Picture of Cole Still, Programs Director

Cole Still, Programs Director

Cole Still is a mission-driven strategist and program builder with experience turning ambitious ideas into sustainable programs, partnerships, and systems. He brings an equity-centered approach to strengthening organizations, developing leaders, and building community-driven solutions that create lasting impact.

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