As we prepare to celebrate 17 years of service at The Bridge, we also pause to honor the heart, the hands, and the leadership behind so much of what makes our mission possible…Dr. Woody, our CEO. Some leaders sit behind desks, and then there’s Dr. Woody.
When Dr. Woody first walked through the doors of The Bridge as Chief Services Officer, no one could have predicted just how deeply he would plant his roots, not only in the organization but also in the hearts of everyone he serves. Today, as CEO, Dr. Woody remains a man of action, humility, and extraordinary compassion. His title may have changed, but his mission has never wavered.
Every day, Dr. Woody carries the weight of hundreds of unhoused men and women across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex who rely on The Bridge for safety, stability, and hope. And still, he carries it with grace. He arrives before the sun rises and often doesn’t leave too long before it sets, quietly ensuring every person has access to a care manager, a warm meal, a clean shower, and a place to rest their head.
What Dr. Woody provides isn’t just shelter leadership, it’s dignity. It’s love in action. He leads closely with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. He ensures that guests’ most basic physiological and safety needs are met, food, water, rest, and protection so that they can begin the journey toward belonging, self-worth, and ultimately, self- actualization. This isn’t just social work; it’s soul work.
But what truly sets Dr. Woody apart is his unwavering commitment even in the face of his challenges. During his recent battle with cancer, while many would have understandably stepped back, Dr. Woody pressed forward. Between treatments and doctor visits, he remained present. He remained purposeful. He remained…Dr. Woody.
This isn’t a CEO who’s hard to find. On any given day, he might be in the courtyard chatting with guests, walking the perimeter picking up trash, or venturing beyond the “Good Neighbor” boundary to reach someone hesitant to come in from the streets. If he’s not in his office, it’s probably because he’s somewhere being the hands and feet of the mission, he holds so dear.
Dr. Woody doesn’t just talk about recovery, he lives it. He makes time to visit former guests in the hospital. He makes house calls. He donates blood to give strangers with his rare blood type a fighting chance. He invites the public to tour our facility, to see the work firsthand, to understand the “why” behind what we do.
As we mark 17 years of transforming lives, we celebrate not only the work but also the man who makes it happen. We’re not just lucky to work with Dr. Woody, we’re blessed. He reminds us of all that true leadership isn’t about power; it’s about purpose. It’s about people. And at The Bridge, no one embodies that better than our CEO.
Thank you, Dr. Woody. For leading with heart. For showing up. For staying late. For believing in the dignity and potential of every life we touch.
You are The Bridge.
