ABOUT US

Our Team

The partners of MissionBridge Philanthropy bring a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and extensive experience working with donors to help philanthropists achieve their goals. We work closely with our clients and leverage our network of thought leaders and practitioners to bring the appropriate expertise to each assignment.

Carolyn O’Brien, Founding Partner, has been a leader in mission-driven organizations for over 25 years. She is recognized for her expertise in nonprofit management, philanthropic consulting, and results-based grantmaking.

Carolyn is the former Executive Director of The Viking Global Foundation, a private foundation she developed and launched for the $25 billion investment firm. She defined the foundation’s dual mandate, focused on closing the educational achievement gap and engaging employees in philanthropy. Working with a board and Viking employees, Carolyn established the foundation’s grantmaking framework and investment guidelines aimed at strengthening and scaling high potential organizations and initiatives.

Prior to her foundation role, Carolyn was Senior Vice President, Development at AmeriCares, the largest privately funded global health and disaster relief organization in the U.S. As senior philanthropic officer, she led and significantly expanded the development program and established relationships critical to the organization’s growth. Throughout, Carolyn collaborated with high net worth individuals, family foundations, and institutions to help them articulate and advance their philanthropic goals.

Carolyn is a co-founder of Stepping Stones Museum for Children and a former Associate Director of Leadership Gifts at Princeton University. As a consultant, Carolyn’s experience includes strategic planning, organizational development, fundraising and board training for a range of philanthropic and social service organizations.

Carolyn is a graduate of Smith College and holds an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Linda Marshall, Founding Partner, has a history of helping nonprofit organizations reach their mission-related and financial goals. Following a career in municipal banking at First Boston and capital market sales to endowment and foundation clients at Bankers Trust Company, Linda has served as trustee and advisor to a variety of nonprofit organizations and institutions.

Linda has proven skills in leading organizations through change, strategic planning and implementation, financial management, and working effectively with a variety of constituencies. With 20 years of experience serving and leading a range of nonprofit boards, Linda has keen insight into the organizational and financial structures necessary for growth.

As former President of the Boards of New Canaan Country School and Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Linda demonstrated her effective leadership and ability to develop high functioning organizations. Linda emphasized board and senior staff development as she created a collaborative culture focused on outcomes and strong management at both organizations. She has helped implement successful capital campaigns and, while serving as treasurer and chair of finance committees, overseen all aspects of budgeting, financial, and risk management. As a trustee, Linda led investment committees at Peddie School, NCCS, and SSMC, managing the endowments at each of these institutions.

Linda graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Government. She has continued her professional education with courses in financial planning and nonprofit finance and governance.

Affiliates and Professional Advisor Network
MissionBridge works with a network of professional affiliates in specialized areas including tax, legal, program evaluation, and event planning.

Our Values

Excellence
We are committed to outstanding performance in all aspects of our business.

Integrity and Trust
We value the trust of our clients and stakeholders, which is earned through honesty, objectivity, respect for confidentiality, and our commitment to results.

Partnership and Collaboration
We work as partners with our clients and their grantees to develop creative and effective programs and high impact solutions.

Respect and Humility
We treat our clients and colleagues with respect and value the perspectives, contributions and expertise of each participant.

Service
We are dedicated to you and your philanthropy. Our priority is to help you leverage your resources for positive social change.