LifeBridge Community Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Cassidy as its new Director of Advancement, a key leadership role responsible for guiding the organization’s fundraising, communications, marketing, and community engagement efforts. The position serves on LifeBridge’s Senior Leadership Team and plays a central role in advancing philanthropic support, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding the organization’s impact throughout Greater Bridgeport and Fairfield County.
A respected nonprofit leader with more than two decades of fundraising experience, Cassidy brings strategic leadership, deep community connections, and a proven track record of building philanthropic partnerships. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Institutional Giving at Americares, where she led institutional fundraising strategy, managed high-performing fundraising teams, oversaw relationships with major corporate and foundation partners, and helped secure millions of dollars in philanthropic support annually.
Prior to her leadership roles at Americares, Cassidy served as Development Director for Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport and worked as a nonprofit development and communications consultant supporting mission-driven organizations in Connecticut and beyond.
Cassidy is also well known throughout the Bridgeport community for her longstanding volunteer leadership. She served on the Board of Directors of LifeBridge Community Services from 2023 through 2026, including service as Vice Chair and Chair of the Development Committee.
“Nicole combines exceptional fundraising expertise with a genuine passion for community,” said Edith Boyle, President & CEO of LifeBridge Community Services. “She understands our organization, our mission, and the community we serve. Her deep roots in Bridgeport, extensive advancement experience, and proven ability to build meaningful relationships make her the ideal leader to help advance LifeBridge’s next chapter of growth and impact.”
Professional colleagues describe Cassidy as a collaborative leader, skilled communicator, and strategic thinker with a talent for translating complex ideas into compelling narratives, while highlighting her strengths in donor engagement, team leadership, and building trusted relationships across organizations and communities.
“I’m honored to join the talented team at LifeBridge in this new capacity,” said Cassidy. “Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing LifeBridge’s remarkable transformation and the measurable, meaningful impact the organization is having on expanding access to quality mental health care throughout our region. I look forward to building a strong, community-centered advancement program that deepens support for this important mission and helps expand its impact for children, families, and individuals across Greater Bridgeport and beyond.”