Board of Directors

Sally Gambrell Bridgford, M.S.W.

Chief Executive Officer

Sally Gambrell Bridgford, M.S.W.

Sally Gambrell Bridgford serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Gambrell Foundation. She has quickly become a voice for innovative philanthropic work that looks to close gaps of inequity and build communities that allow individuals to thrive and contribute. While raising a large blended family, Sally has been actively charting a new course for The Gambrell Foundation: one that seeks collaboration, education behind issues and needs, and brings broad support for challenges in our community and beyond. She is a voracious reader and lifelong learner who challenges the philanthropic community to find measurable solutions and identify the next big need.

Prior to leading The Gambrell Foundation, Sally built a successful business, Yoga One, and consolidated her family’s investment and real estate businesses. A Charlotte native, she grew up in New York City. She studied at Duke University, holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

On Sally’s Desk

Book_MeditationsforMortals

Meditations for Mortals

Reflecting on ideas drawn from philosophy, religion, literature, psychology, and self-help, Burkeman explores practical tools and shifts in perspective. The result is a bracing challenge to much familiar advice, and a profound yet entertaining crash course in living more fully.
by Oliver Burkeman
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Book_MoralAmbition

Moral Ambition

In Moral Ambition, internationally bestselling author Rutger Bregman reveals how our conventional definitions of success are harming us and the planet, and shows how we can shift the focus from personal gain to societal benefit. A guidebook to finding that path for ourselves, Moral Ambition reminds us that the real measure of success lies not in what we accumulate, but in what we contribute, and shows how we, too, can build a legacy that truly matters.
by Rutger Bregman
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Ours-Was-the-Shining-Futurre

Ours Was The Shining Future

The clear-eyed, definitive history of the modern American economy and the decline of the American Dream, from the Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist behind The New York Times’s “The Morning” newsletter.
by David Leonhardt
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Book_YoureInvited

You’re Invited

Regardless of what we want to accomplish, from growing your business, creating a great company culture, championing a social cause, or affecting your habits, we can’t do it alone. The people around you define your success (whatever that means for you) and they have the potential to change the course of your life.
by Jon Levy
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Sally’s Insights

Q&A: Co-Creating Our City with the German Marshall Fund
How can we build cities where young people thrive? This Q&A with the German Marshall Fund explores a bold new model of youth-led civic co-creation in Charlotte.
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Q&A with Richard Reeves: American Institute for Boys & Men
The Gambrell Foundation is deeply invested in supporting our young people and our communities. Our partnership with the American Institute for Boys and Men supports shifting policy and public conversation that will ultimately enhance the wellbeing of boys and men, and therefore enhance the resilience of all our communities.
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Q&A with TeRay Esquibel of Purpose Commons
Visualization capturing insights exploring the ideation of purpose at a 2022 “purpose jam” hosted by Purpose Commons’ co-founders. Photo/art by Rio Holaday. I’ve always believed that great ideas often start when like-minded people come together to build community. It’s in community that collaboration takes root and real progress happens. That’s why I think it’s important for […]
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Q&A with Tommi Laitio of Convivencia Urbana
Join Sally, in her Q&A with Tommi Laitio of Convivencia Urbana, a Partner of Gambrell.
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Q&A with Sophia Schuff of Gehl
Many of you know how important awe is to us at The Gambrell Foundation. We have been on a continual journey to better incorporate awe and wonder into our daily lives, and that is a large reason why we partnered with Gehl, a group of strategists who are dedicated to making sure we can all […]
Learn More
  • Q&A with Richard Reeves: American Institute for Boys & Men
    The Gambrell Foundation is deeply invested in supporting our young people and our communities. Our partnership with the American Institute for Boys and Men supports shifting policy and public conversation that will ultimately enhance the wellbeing of boys and men, and therefore enhance the resilience of all our communities.
    Learn More
  • Q&A with TeRay Esquibel of Purpose Commons
    Visualization capturing insights exploring the ideation of purpose at a 2022 “purpose jam” hosted by Purpose Commons’ co-founders. Photo/art by Rio Holaday. I’ve always believed that great ideas often start when like-minded people come together to build community. It’s in community that collaboration takes root and real progress happens. That’s why I think it’s important for […]
    Learn More
  • Q&A with Tommi Laitio of Convivencia Urbana
    Join Sally, in her Q&A with Tommi Laitio of Convivencia Urbana, a Partner of Gambrell.
    Learn More
  • Q&A with Sophia Schuff of Gehl
    Many of you know how important awe is to us at The Gambrell Foundation. We have been on a continual journey to better incorporate awe and wonder into our daily lives, and that is a large reason why we partnered with Gehl, a group of strategists who are dedicated to making sure we can all […]
    Learn More