PRESS RELEASE  

Bridging Announces Joel Spoonheim as Next Executive Director 

ST. PAUL, MN (April 14, 2026) — The Board of Directors of Bridging is proud to announce the selection of Joel Spoonheim as its next Executive Director, ushering in the organization’s next chapter of leadership and impact. He will assume the role on Monday, May 11, 2026. 

Joel brings more than two decades of leadership experience spanning corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector environments. He has led complex operations with responsibility for multi-million-dollar budgets, growth strategy, and highly engaged cross-functional teams. In his corporate roles, he has expanded service reach, strengthened financial performance, and modernized systems to improve efficiency and scale.  
 
In recent roles as Chief Commercial Officer at Fulcrum Health and Sr. Director at HealthPartners, he championed product innovation while building high-performing teams. Earlier in his career, he advanced affordable housing and community development efforts in local government and designed community-based initiatives that mobilized volunteers and partners across regions. 

“Joel brings a rare combination of strategic clarity, operational depth, and genuine care for people,” said Kerry Klemm, Chair of the Bridging Board of Directors. “His lifelong commitment to service, ability to bring people together around a shared purpose, and experience working across sectors position him exceptionally well to lead Bridging into the future.” 

Joel’s leadership consistently reflects an ability to engage communities, build trust, and align diverse stakeholders around meaningful outcomes. He has cultivated executive-level partnerships, led large-scale service operations, and mobilized volunteer networks of up to 1,500 individuals—all while maintaining a strong focus on mission and culture. 

“I am honored to join Bridging and to build on the incredible work already underway,” said Joel. “This organization delivers something deeply meaningful, helping people create homes with dignity during times of transition. I have spent my career working at the intersection of sectors to build solutions that improve people’s lives, and I am inspired by the opportunity to support Bridging’s mission while expanding its reach and impact.” 

Joel currently serves as a Plymouth City Council Member and has been actively engaged in volunteer leadership and nonprofit initiatives throughout his career. His approach to leadership reflects a belief in bringing people together across sectors and communities to create lasting, practical solutions. 

This leadership transition follows a comprehensive search led by the Bridging Board of Directors in partnership with Ballinger | Leafblad, working alongside the board to shape a thoughtful, inclusive decision-making process and identify a leader for this defining moment in the organization’s trajectory. 

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