Von Celestine
Head of Finance and Talent
Von Celestine leads the Finance and Talent Team. He oversees finance, accounting, treasury, talent, business continuity, and administration for Bridgeway Capital Management. He also serves as the Treasurer of Bridgeway Foundation. Before joining Bridgeway in 2006, he directed finance and business operations at Smith, Graham & Co. Investment Advisors LP. He has also held management positions at United Healthcare and Prudential Healthcare and audit and accounting roles at Arthur Andersen and Exxon.
Von holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS in Accounting from Southern University. He is a member of the CFO Leadership Council (Houston Chapter), Financial Executives International, National Black MBA Association and has served on several non-profit boards throughout the years. Von has participated in several of Bridgeway’s well-digging service trips, which were organized in cooperation with Living Water International.
Melissa Garrison, SHRM-SCP
Director of Talent
Melissa Garrison, SHRM-SCP, leads culture and talent development, recruiting, rewards initiatives, and other human resource elements at Bridgeway. Before joining Bridgeway in 2010, she was the Deputy Director of Children At Risk, overseeing communications, administration, and finance.
Melissa earned an MA and a BS in Behavioral Science at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Passionate about improving the lives of socioeconomically disadvantaged youth, Melissa mentors local youth, exposing them to college and career options early in life. She also advocates for public policy that supports long-term positive outcomes for youth in Houston and Texas.
Kendra Adams, CAP, OM
Executive Assistant
Kendra Adams, CAP, OM, began working at Bridgeway in 2016 and is primarily responsible for executive administrative support to the President, CEO, Co-CIO, and Founder. She brings over 25 years of experience as a leader in the administrative field. Before joining Bridgeway, Kendra was an Executive Assistant at Invesco for 17 years and, prior to this role, served as an Executive Administrator at Prudential Healthcare for 11 years.
Kendra is a Certified Administrative Professional. She serves on the board of directors for the IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals), where she has held various leadership roles since 2002. In addition, Kendra holds an Associate Degree in Christian Counseling and is an ordained minister and serving Elder at Word of Restoration International Church, where she and her husband provide oversight of the marriage ministry. A founder of Heaven on Earth Marriage Ministry, Kendra and her husband are passionate about encouraging, enlightening, and empowering couples to have healthy marriage relationships. Together, they give their time to provide faith-based premarital counseling, marriage enrichment, and mentorship to couples.
Rene Loera, CAP, PACE
Executive Assistant
Rene Loera, CAP, PACE, joined Bridgeway in 2019 and is primarily responsible for executive administrative support to the Head of Finance and Talent support to that team, and office administration. Before joining Bridgeway, Rene was an administrative assistant at National Oilwell Varco for five years. At National Oilwell Varco, she was responsible for the administrative support of multiple departments and executives. She began her career at Hisco Inc. as the receptionist for the Houston branch Rene is a Certified Administrative Professional and active member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She attended the Art Institute of Houston in their Baking and Pastry program. As a native Houstonian, she is passionate about creating solutions to food insecurities that families and the elderly have in our community. In addition, she participates in donating her time and resources to the Houston Food Bank.