Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Dean Bring has a diverse work experience spanning various roles and industries. Dean currently serves as the Vice President of Development at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption since February 2023. Prior to this, they held the position of Senior Director of Partnerships from May 2021 to February 2023. Dean also worked as the Director of Partnerships from April 2018 to May 2021 and as the Senior Manager of Franchise Partnerships from May 2017 to April 2018 at the same organization.
Before joining the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Dean worked at Perio, Inc. (Barbasol Brands) as the Director of Partnerships & Legal Affairs from April 2012 to September 2016. Dean also served as the Director of Licensing and Business Development at HOMAGE from September 2010 to April 2012. In this role, they developed and implemented the licensing strategy for collegiate partnerships and managed over 100 licensing partnerships.
Additionally, Dean worked as an Instructor at The Ohio State University from September 2010 to March 2012. Dean started their career as a Legal Intern at Coccia De Angelis & Associati, a Roman law firm specializing in sports law, brand protection, and international law. During their internship from May 2006 to August 2006, Dean conducted research and developed key presentation talking points for a partner in the firm.
Overall, Dean Bring has had a successful and diverse career, with a focus on partnerships, development, and legal affairs in various organizations.
Dean Bring has a B.A. in Economics from Denison University. Dean also holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Sport Management and Humanities from The Ohio State University. Furthermore, Dean Bring obtained a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree in Sports Law from Capital University Law School. In terms of additional certifications, they have completed courses such as "Developing Annual Sustainability" and "Planned Giving: Getting the Proper Start" at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Dean also holds certifications in "Principles and Techniques in Fundraising" from the same institution and as a "Certified Tourism Ambassador" from the Certified Tourism Ambassador™ (CTA) Program.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs and builds awareness around the growing need and importance of foster care adoption in various ways. We also develop resources for employers and families to support the adoption journey. Through our signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters in our child-focused recruitment model to find loving, permanent homes for children in foster care. This model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including older youth, siblings and children with special needs. The Foundation offers a free library of resources to help families navigate the adoption journey, such as Finding Forever Families: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption and Strengthen Your Forever Family: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Adoption. The Foundation also works to build awareness around the growing need and importance of adoption from foster care through public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships and more.