top of page

About Us


At Bridging The Gap, we are dedicated to empowering leaders and organizations to reach their maximum potential. Through strategic development, personalized coaching, and impactful mentorship, we help educational institutions, businesses, and faith communities discover innovative solutions to make a lasting impact in their spheres of influence.  

Our passion lies in equipping leaders both emerging and seasoned with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to drive meaningful change. Whether it’s guiding young minds to become tomorrow’s trailblazers or connecting professionals with the resources they need to excel, we firmly believe leadership transcends age, industry, and creed.  

 

Client Testimony

Dr. Benjamin Stephens
Kansas City, MO

Our Mission

To equip, empower, and connect individuals and organizations, bridging the gap between where they are and where they aspire to be. Together, we create pathways for growth, collaboration, and transformation.

Vandalyn Kennedy

Principal Consultant

  • Multi-Faceted Leader:  International speaker,  entrepreneur, educator, leadership strategist in both secular and sacred spaces.  

  • Entrepreneurship:  Founder of *Bridging the Gap (BTG)*, a human capital solutions startup providing leadership development, coaching, mentoring, and consulting through training, workshops, and events.  

  • Education:  

    • Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Sarah Lawrence College. 

    • Master’s in music and music education from Columbia University.  

    • Master of Divinity from Columbia University's Union Theological Seminary with concentration in Leadership

    • Certification in leadership and black theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.  

  • Experience:  Over 20 years as a change agent, community-builder, and leader driving transformation and impact.  

    • New York City Department of Educator and administrator for over 18 years​

    • New York City Chancellor's Interfaith Advisory Council board member

    • Next Gen Leadership specialist for LEADNYC/Movement.org developing leaders from civic, religious, and business spaces

    • Adjunct professor 

    • Conversant in Spanish

  • Working Genius Certified Expert:  specializes in helping individuals and teams unlock their potential through The 6 Types of Working Genius framework, developed by Patrick Lencioni and The Table Group. With expertise in identifying strengths, improving collaboration, and streamlining workflows, provides tailored strategies to maximize productivity and job satisfaction. From guiding teams through assessments to conducting workshops and implementing innovative solutions, Vandalyn is dedicated to fostering cohesive, high-performing environments. By aligning tasks with natural talents, empowering clients to overcome bottlenecks, enhance teamwork, and achieve sustainable success.​

  • Global Influence:  Oversees auxiliary leadership in one the world's largest African American religious denominations - extending 120 countries and six million people 

  • Recognition:  Featured in the New York Times as a "Woman in the Pulpit to Watch"  ; Named one of the Church of God in Christ’s “150 Most Influential Women” 

VK edit4.jpg

Client Gallery

Meet the Team

966F7A9F-40E0-4FC0-A705-D9C744A46B47 2.JPG

Verone Kennedy

Global Education Strategist and Leadership Consultant

Verone Kennedy, MSEd is a distinguished education executive with extensive experience in school quality, development, and administration. Known for championing equitable access to education and driving innovative school reforms, Verone has a proven record of maximizing learning outcomes across diverse populations. His servant leadership style fosters top-performing teams and collaborative work cultures aligned with a unified mission.

Career Highlights:

  • Spearheaded the launch of the UAE’s first charter school cohort, collaborating with national and international stakeholders to elevate global education standards.

  • Closed achievement gaps for underperforming students by designing and implementing KPIs to monitor progress and accountability.

  • Maintained high student performance during the pandemic by introducing effective distance learning models and virtual monitoring platforms.​

 

Educational Background:

  • EdD (ABD) in Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania (anticipated May 2023)

  • Master of Science in Education, Sarah Lawrence College

  • Bachelor of Science in Education, SUNY College at Old Westbury​

 

Certifications:

  • School Building Leader (SBL) Educational Leadership Certification

  • Permanent Teaching Certifications in New York and New Jersey​

 

Postgraduate Training:

  • Wharton Executive Education Program: Executive Presence & Influence

  • The Principals’ Center at Harvard Graduate School of Education: Urban School Leaders Program

  • University of Connecticut: Schoolwide Enrichment Leadership Program​

 

Awards:

  • Sloan Public Service Award (2007)

  • NHA Eagle Awards for School Performance (2010–2013)

  • Distinguished Award of Merit, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (2008)​

 

Professional Experience:

Currently serves as Division Director of School Monitoring, Evaluation, and Improvement at the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), overseeing policies that impact over 40,000 students across 31 charter schools. His prior roles include Executive Director at NYC Department of Education and Director of School Quality for National Heritage Academies, where he led initiatives to enhance school effectiveness and student performance.

Professional Affiliations:

  • Facilitator, Growing Great Leaders Series, University of Auckland

  • Educational Advisory Council Member, Overcoming Obstacles

  • Board Member, Aldar and Taaleem Charter Schools (UAE)

 

Verone Kennedy continues to advance global education through innovative leadership, stakeholder collaboration, and transformative policies.

IMG_4665.JPG

Kalisha Robinson

Education and Leadership Consultant 

Kalisha Robinson is a seasoned Strategic Leadership and Education Consultant with extensive experience in instructional leadership and organizational strategy.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Education, Brooklyn College

  • Master of Science in Education in School Building Leadership, Mercy College (Magna Cum Laude)

  • Master of Divinity Program, Princeton Theological Seminary (Accepted, in progress)

 

Professional Experience:

Kalisha has held various impactful roles within education, including:

  • Teacher & Special Education Transition Coordinator, Boys and Girls High School, Brooklyn

  • Instructional Specialist, The Children First Network, supporting over 30 schools and hundreds of teachers across NYC.

  • Teacher Development & Evaluation Coach, Transfer High Schools, mentoring administrators in teacher evaluations and professional development.

  • Director, NYC Department of Education’s Learning Partners Program (Chancellor’s Teacher Development Initiative), focused on racial equity through improvement science inquiry processes.

  • Instructional Leadership Partner, providing strategic coaching to principals and Executive Superintendents, with a focus on effective practices and addressing racial disparities.

  • Director, Lighthouse Collaborative Program, offering leadership and instructional support to NYC schools.

 

Leadership & Equity Work:

Kalisha has centered racial equity as the throughline of her work, addressing access and opportunity gaps for historically underserved students. Through her roles, she has implemented strategies to isolate data, eliminate disparities, and transform systems within NYC schools.

 

Conference Presentations:

Kalisha has represented the NYC DOE at national platforms, sharing insights on educational equity:

  • Coalition for Essential Schools Fall Forum (2011): "The Key to Adult Learning/Peer Colleague Lab Sites."

  • Harvard University Beyond Desegregation Conference (2019): "Dismantling Systems of Inequity in NYC Schools: Using Improvement Science to Promote Racial Equity."

 

Kalisha Robinson’s lifelong dedication to education continues to inspire meaningful change, shaping equitable practices for the benefit of students and educators alike.

IMG_1015.JPG

Rhonda Alston, MBA 

Project Manager/IT Systems Consultant 

Rhonda holds an MBA in Project Management and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as an IT Specialist in Quality Assurance. With a proven track record of ensuring seamless software performance and delivering high-quality solutions, she excels at identifying inefficiencies, streamlining processes, and driving project success. Committed to client satisfaction, Rhonda leverages her advanced project management knowledge and technical acumen to provide tailored, efficient, and reliable IT solutions.

Services and What We Do

We collaborate with individuals or groups on a one-time basis or for the duration of a specific project, offering a personalized approach to help you grow exactly where you need to be. Let’s build a partnership that moves you forward.

DALL·E 2024-12-26 19.03.57 - A dynamic and modern illustration of a diverse group of profe

Organizational Leadership Development

We help organizations thrive by addressing critical areas such as change management, organizational health, strategic planning, and team building. Whether you're navigating transitions or building a stronger foundation, we provide tailored solutions to enhance your team's effectiveness and drive sustainable growth.

DALL·E 2024-12-26 19.03.26 - A professional, modern illustration showing a diverse group o

Personal Development

Unlock your full potential with our personal development services designed to foster self-awareness, build confidence, and cultivate the skills needed to achieve your goals. Through individualized coaching, we empower you to grow in every area of your life.

DALL·E 2024-12-26 19.03.50 - A serene an

Professional Growth

Elevate your career with our professional growth services, focusing on enhancing workplace performance, leadership abilities, and career trajectory. We work with you to develop actionable plans that align with your aspirations and bring measurable results.

How Can We Help? 

Answer these questions so we can Identify Your Needs and Customize your experience. 

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page