Who We Are

Our Mission

CBCG’s mission is to advance person-centered, outcome-based policies and practices by engaging individuals, providers, state systems and other stakeholders through advocacy, policy, and technical assistance to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities.

Our Values

People First

Community Bridges believes that disability is a natural part of the human experience. All people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, not by their disability.

Equity

Community Bridges believes that disability rights are human rights. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the respect, dignity, equality, safety, and security accorded to other members of society.

Community

Community Bridges believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.  Public policy should promote and require that federal funding and state funds be used to support people to live, work, and participate fully in their communities.

Self-determination

CBCG believes in self-determination and self-advocacy.  People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with appropriate resources and supports, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.

Our Team

Kelly Friedlander, MSW, MPA

Kelly Friedlander, MSW, MPA

CEO & Principal Consultant
Phone: 800-214-1633
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Kelly Friedlander is the CEP & Principal Consultant of Community Bridges.  A results-oriented, creative, and dedicated intellectual and developmental disability professional, Kelly has 15+ years of progressive responsibility in advocacy, policy analysis, and program development/administration. She excels at facilitating outreach and cross-agency collaboration that empower people with developmental disabilities and family members to be advocates and leaders. A strategic problem-solver, she has the ability to work across all levels of an organization and uncover ways to become more person-centered, reduce unnecessary staff activity and expense, and produce better outcomes for the organization and individuals served. Kelly has a proven track record supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live valued lives of their own design. Kelly consults primarily on stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and developing innovative solutions to meet systems changes. She has worked on stakeholder engagement and policy analysis projects for clients such as the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, RHA Howell, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and Anthem Healthcare. Prior to founding Community Bridges, Kelly served as the Director of Systems Change Management at the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities where she oversaw the strategic planning and program implementation of $1.5 million of Council-funded initiatives annually. Before moving to North Carolina, Kelly served as the Operational Manager of Pyramid, Inc., the largest day training program in Florida. She also has experience working within a state government, as she provided oversight to the Developmental Services Quality Assurance Contract at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. She began her career in intellectual and/or developmental disabilities as a Direct Support Professional. Kelly holds a Masters of Social Work, a Masters of Public Administration, and a Bachelors of Social Work. In addition, she is a graduate from the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities Leadership Institute.
Kelly Woodall

Kelly Woodall

ALP-NC Project Co-Director
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Kelly found her niche in the disability arena during her internship with the Governor's Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities (now known as Disability Rights North Carolina). Kelly enjoys teaching and giving talks on the ADA. She strives to educate, inspire and encourage others with I/DD’s and their loved ones. Kelly has given several speeches on various topics related to disabilities. She also enjoys explaining processes and educating others. Kelly resides in Raleigh, NC, and has a developmental disability known as Cerebral Palsy. Kelly graduated with her B.A. in Psychology in 2005. She has also obtained several certificates, including becoming an ADA trainer and "Upwards to Financial Stability" Curriculum trainer. More recently, Kelly became one of North Carolina's first Peer Mentors. She possesses much gratitude for all the advocates before her that worked diligently and paved the way for her not to encounter as many obstacles. Their work has afforded her the ability to not settle, the right to fight for what she thinks is fair, and the courage to be brave. Kelly desires for her work to greatly impact other advocates.
Matthew Potter

Matthew Potter

Consultant
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Matt Potter is a Consultant at Community Bridges Consulting Group. Matt consults primarily on stakeholder engagement and advocacy, and regularly serves as a speaker and trainer. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Matt decided very early on to rise above his challenges and help others to do the same and has been a public speaker and advocate for people with disabilities for his entire life. Currently, Matt serves as a member of the Board of Directors of both Center Point Human Services and is a former member of the Board of Directors of The Enrichment Center of Winston-Salem, a former Vice-President of the Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities, former Chair of the Center Point Human Services Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, and a current member of the CenterPoint Human Services Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC). Prior to joining Community Bridges, Matt was the Assistant Project Director of the North Carolina Advocacy Ambassador Initiative. Matt has a Bachelor of Arts in English and is a 2011 graduate of North Carolina Partners in Policy making.
Daniel Young

Daniel Young

Analyst
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Daniel Young (he/him) is an analyst with Community Bridges, based in Durham, North Carolina. His role is to manage the company’s social media accounts. Daniel also assists with research, data analysis, and technical writing. Daniel Young (he/him) is an analyst with Community Bridges, based in Durham, North Carolina. His role is to manage the company’s social media accounts. Daniel also assists with research, data analysis, and technical writing. Daniel has performed various roles relating to disability advocacy. This includes an internship at the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living, working as a peer mentor with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, and serving on the University of Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Advisory Council. He also has experience in program management and survey research, and has worked on health behavior intervention studies for the Veterans Health Administration. Daniel holds a Master of Public Health in Health Management and Policy and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Michigan.
Briana Thompson

Briana Thompson

Graphic Artist
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Briana Thompson (she/her) is a graphic artist with Community Bridges. She provides custom art for various initiatives, including the Peer Mentor Training Program and the Abilities Leadership Project – N.C.
Nils Skudra

Nils Skudra

Copywriter
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Nils Skudra is a gifted writer, artist, pianist, and stage actor. Nils is also an extraordinarily creative individual who lives with Asperger syndrome. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in history, his family relocated from California to central North Carolina for him to study the Civil War, which is his biggest passion. In May 2018, he graduated with a Master’s in history from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Some of Nils’s income comes from writing articles for various publications like "The Art of Autism" website and Pittverse Magazine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In July 2018, he has an upcoming article in O'Henry Magazine about his service dog, Jackson. "Writing has enabled me, of course, to bring a bit of income into my life and working positively affects my self-esteem,” he says. Nils is actively seeking full-time employment in a museum as a research historian, archivist or curator.
Karen Luken

Karen Luken

Project Co-Director
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Karen Luken (she/her) is an associate with Community Bridges. She serves as the Co-Director for the Care Extender White Paper Project. Karen has over 40 years of experience in disability and health, recreational therapy practice, research and teaching, and grants management. From 2013 through 2019, she served as the project director for the "Medical Health Homes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities" initiative that promotes integrated, person-centered care for people with I/DD’s. Karen continues to serve as a consultant for this initiative. Her interest in evidence-based practice, health care reform, and systems change were shaped by her work at a variety of organizations, including the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health, Center for Recreation and Disability Studies at UNC-CH, Dept. of Psychiatry at N.C. Memorial Hospital, and Orange-Person-Chatham Area Program. Karen received her Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Illinois-Urbana. She also holds a graduate degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a Certificate in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill.