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Who We Are

The Breakthrough Leadership Consulting (Breakthrough) Team is focused on delivering results for each client and ultimately for the communities that our clients serve. We focus on advancing inclusive and connected communities, by building the capacity of leaders and citizens to solve problems together.

The Breakthrough Team is composed of a network of professionals, industry experts and specialists to support each organization’s specific needs.

At Breakthrough, we believe in service to others and using our gifts and talents to be a blessing to individuals and the community in which we reside.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

Our vision is to bring together communities to articulate a shared purpose across culture, geography and ideology. Our mission is to transmit each community stronger than before by building the capacity of organizations and institutions to create breakthrough results.

Deborah Hanmer, MPA, M.Ed

Deb Hanmer has dedicated her professional career to education and nonprofit leadership. In addition to her work as Breakthrough’s President, Deb serves as the proud Initiative Director of the Greater Rochester Parent Leadership Training Institute. Deb has driven programmatic change and innovation in organizations and communities across the Northeast. Before starting Breakthrough, Deb oversaw student support services for DC Prep in Washington, DC. Deb has deep expertise in leadership development, social-emotional learning, multi-tiered systems of support and parent/community engagement practices. Deb holds a Bachelors of Arts in History from Dartmouth College, a Masters of Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College. Deb lives in Rochester, NY with her husband and two sons.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

WE ARE OPTIMISTIC

We believe that every problem has a solution. We bring energy, humor and hard work to the table to continually refine the right solution.

WE ARE PRACTICAL

We believe that the best solution is the one that can be executed and consistently managed to meet our client’s goals.

WE ARE HUMBLE

We know that each organization is unique, and we seek to learn and understand first. We enter each engagement with the belief that our clients are committed to growth and excellence.

WE ARE FAITH FILLED

We believe in service to others and using our gifts and talents to be a blessing
to individuals and the community in which we reside.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE

We believe in bringing in a diversity of voices to provide our clients with sound advice and perspective to create an impactful solution.

WE ARE RESEARCH INFORMED

We keep abreast of the most current research in our field and innovative practices from around the country that have proven results.

WE ARE PROFESSIONAL

We take pride in delivering the very best for our clients and those that they serve.