Bridgette Stumpf is the Executive Director of the Network for Victim Recovery of DC (a WBA Foundation grantee), a position she has held since co-founding the organization in May 2012. As part of this role, she developed the Legal Services and Pro Bono Programs at NVRDC.
Bridgette is a co-chair of the newly formed Advocacy Committee. She serves on the review committee for DoD sexual assault advocacy approval and is an adjunct at George Washington University, teaching “Victims, Victimization, and the System.” She is involved with the DCCADV Steering Committee and Crime Victims Compensation Commission. Bridgette was recently selected as the 2020 Social Enterprise Scholarship winner through Harvard Business School’s (HBS) Club of Washington, DC and will attend the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management at HBS in the summer of 2022.
Bridgette was recognized for her work in nonprofit service in 2014 by the Women’s Information Network (WIN) Young Women Achievement Award (YWA) for her efforts in nonprofit advocacy. Under her direction, NVRDC’s legal team was honored with the 2019 American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Frank Carrington Crime Victim Attorney Award for the organization’s “leadership in the advancement of the rights of crime victims.” Also in 2019, Bridgette received the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s Excellence in Chief Executive Leadership (EXCEL) Award, which recognizes and spotlights outstanding nonprofit chief executives, focusing specifically on achievement in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity, and strategic leadership. NVRDC also received the Outstanding Advocacy Award from the Crime Victims’ Rights Congressional Caucus in 2017, the National Crime Victims’ Advocacy Award from NCVLI in 2015, the Department of the Navy Award of Merit for Group Achievement in 2014, and was selected as one of the best nonprofits by the Catalogue for Philanthropy Greater Washington, DC.
When did you join the WBA?
2021
Why did you join the Women’s Bar Association?
To support efforts that are strengthening the DC community and support structures for women and girls to thrive.
What benefits do you get from being a part of the WBA and why do you think others should join?
It has been intellectually stimulating to work with the advocacy committee as we think through how to create interoperable systems to best achieve litigation, legislation, and partnership goals across the WBA’s efforts.
How has being a parent enhanced your career?
I enjoy the safe space to be both a mom and a professional.
Do you have a mentor/hero?
I really admire Patsy Mink and her work to establish Title IX. We represent campus survivors in DC under Title IX and Clery and the foundational work to create equity in education has really made my current work possible.
What words of advice do you have for women new to the profession?
Get trauma training. I have a lot to say about this!
What is the best advice you have received?
Ask better questions.