​Leadership








Meet the people who keep our club running.

                                                         Ainsley Hillman

President, Fall 2023
Majors: Political Science, Business Analytics 
Dorm: Johnson Family Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: I have seen the power of Bridge's mission to open people's minds and hearts to new ideas and uncomfortable conversations. The ability to listen and engage in respectful conversation is unparalleled in importance and, unfortunately, often forgotten in the passion of political discourse. I love Bridge's ability to remind people of their common humanity and the flip side of every story, instilling in participants the willingness to listen and engage respectfully. Simply put, my favorite thing about Bridge is our mission and its ability to bring people together not only despite their differences, but because of them.
​ Email: ahillma2@nd.edu

Ashlyn Poppe

President, Spring 2024
Majors: Global Affairs, Hesburg Program in Public Service
Dorm: Pasquerilla West Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: We live in an age undeniably marked by the polarization of American society. It is the duty of young people to engage in respectful, multi-partisan discourse to promote conflict resolution and collaboration. Through our biweekly meetings, op-eds, and larger campus events, BridgeND provides a safe space for students of all political perspectives to join this dialogue and work towards a more United States.
Email: apoppe2@nd.edu

                                      Emma Schoenauer

Vice President, Fall 2023
Major: Economics
Minors: Public Service, Sustainability
​Dorm: Johnson Family Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: Learning and growing from intellectual conversations (and the occasional insomnia cookie at meetings)!
Email: eschoena@nd.edu

Leah Moody

Vice President, Spring 2024
Majors: Economics, Philosophy
Minor: Theology
Dorm: Flaherty Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: My favorite BridgeND event is ConvergeND! It's always great to have a conversation with another Notre Dame student about why they believe the things they do!
Email: lmoody@nd.edu

                                                    Jessica Robinson

Director of Outreach, Fall 2023
Majors: Psychology, Political Science
Minor: Theology
Dorm: Lewis Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: How it brings people together from different backgrounds to engage in important discourse. This is especially important in our polarized and divided society today. Being able to be a part of that in weekly meetings and campus events, is such an amazing opportunity.
Email: jrobin27@nd.edu

Maddie Colbert

Director of Publications, Fall 2023 / Director of Outreach, Spring 2024
Majors: Global Affairs, Theology
Dorm: Howard
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: I love the wide variety of topics we cover in our meetings, and I like getting to know people through Bridge and hearing the different perspectives/ ideas that other students have.  
Email: mcolber2@nd.edu

 Cade Czarnecki
Director of Publications, Spring 2024
Majors: Economics, Political Science
Dorm: Fisher Hall
His favorite thing about BridgeND: Learning why my peers hold the political beliefs that they do, as well as the ConvergeND event!
Email: cczarne3@nd.edu

Sean Fay

Director of Finances, Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Majors: Economics, Finance
​Dorm: Duncan Hall
His favorite thing about BridgeND: Any discussion where people bring in a wide variety of beliefs and leads such discussion down an unexpected route. 
Email: sfay@nd.edu

                                                   Lauren Buetow

Director of Social Media, Fall 2023
Majors: Political Science, Psychology
Dorm: Flaherty Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: Learning about new topics from the presentations at BridgeND meetings, and I additionally really enjoys the positive/ open attitudes that people bring into such club meetings!
Email: lbuetow@nd.edu

Jacob Sherer

Senior Advisor, Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Major: Political Science
Minors: PPE, European Studies
Dorm: Off-Campus- previously Duncan Hall
His favorite thing about BridgeND: The annual Plants and Politics event!
Email: jsherer@nd.edu

                                                   Isabel Olesinski

Senior Advisor, Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
Majors: Political Science, English
Minor: Constitutional Studies
Dorm: Johnson Family Hall
Her favorite thing about BridgeND: I've been in BridgeND since my first year, and it's been an honor serving as President last spring, and I'm so excited to be a senior advisor this year. I loved attending the BridgeUSA conference last February, but my favorite thing about Bridge in general is the people and the wonderful conversations we have with one another. I've definitely expanded my own mindsets and had passionate and worthwhile conversations with people from across the Notre Dame community.
Email: iolesins@nd.edu