MPP and MBA Candidate at Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management In her role as a Manager with the Reimagine Learning Fund, Molly leads work with New Profit’s network of 20 grantees, developing a learning community in which these grantees connect virtually and in person. Molly works with the Reimagine Learning team to provide monthly capacity building webinars, regular targeted advisory sessions, and connects grantees to one another and experts in the field to enhance their work. Molly also supports the Reimagine Learning regional strategy, managing the development of a case study on the Lawrence Acceleration Academies in Lawrence, MA and a strategic planning process in Salem, MA. Prior to joining New Profit, Molly worked for Root Cause, a non-profit research and consulting firm in Boston. While at Root Cause Molly assessed non-profits on organizational and programmatic best practices and provided strategic recommendations and support to implement these practices. She also managed a collective impact working group providing training to 300 youth workers across the City of Boston and developing survey and assessment tools for all summer youth workforce programs in Boston. Prior to her work at Root Cause, Molly worked at an alternative school program called Open Schools NW in Portland, OR. While at Open Schools, she worked closely with teachers, school leaders, and families to develop strong support systems to keep students engaged and on track in school. As a liaison to Portland Public Schools, she co-created interventions and systems to support students identified as most at risk of dropping out. She also worked as a member of Equity Team and the Collaborative Action Research for Equity (CARE) team. These two teams worked to train educators on creating culturally relevant curriculum for students of color. Molly holds a Master’s of Public Policy and a Master’s of Business Administration from the Heller School at Brandeis University and a B.A. in International Affairs from Lewis & Clark College.

Corporate M&A at GE Cameron is currently an Associate on GE’s Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions team, where he executes on GE’s inorganic growth strategy across all industries. Prior to that, he completed GE Capital’s two-year leadership development program. Cameron grew up in Fairfield, CT and studied at UNC Chapel Hill, where he earned a double major in Economics and Philosophy. During university, he was the Founder and President of Carolina’s Rock Climbing Club, and studied abroad in Hong Kong for 6 months. Cameron has always had a passion for mentorship and looks forward to improving the urban education culture in Boston with Breakthrough!

Bilingual Teacher & Program Advocate, Believe in Success program at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry Jackie Dabo, a former Breakthrough student, returned to Breakthrough the summer of 2010 as a junior teacher, and later in 2012 as a literature teacher in Cambridge. Since graduating from Lesley University in 2015, Jackie has found her passion in working with low-income families in the community. Currently, Jackie is the Bilingual Teacher & Program Advocate of the Believe in Success program at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. The program centers on employment and educational readiness for survivors of domestic violence and other traumas. Jackie is always willing to spread the mission of Breakthrough because she experienced it first hand. Having just moved to the United States from Portugal in middle school, Breakthrough was the perfect program to challenge her academically and guide her in her career path. Jackie hopes Breakthrough will continue to open doors and have an impact on many more students to come.

Development Assistant at Boston Medical Center Melanie currently works at Boston Medical Center as a Development Associate on the Strategic Grant Initiatives team. Melanie works on grant proposals to the federal and state governments in addition to private foundations to raise money for Boston Medical Center, the largest safety net hospital and emergency services provider in New England. The majority of funds raised through grants support essential hospital programs, biomedical research, and clinical care. The hospital’s mission to provide exceptional care without exception is what drew her to Boston Medical Center. Melanie was first introduced to Breakthrough through a current Associate Board member at the 2015 Spring Gala. Hearing the student testimonials and learning more about what the organization does is what inspired her to become involved with BTGB. Melanie graduated from Fairfield University with a B.A. in Professional Writing in 2012. Outside of work, Melanie enjoys traveling the world and spending time with friends.

Director of Graduate Support at Nativity Preparatory School Nora Frias is currently the Director of Graduate Support at Nativity Preparatory School, a tuition-free, Jesuit middle school serving boys from low-income families in Boston. She oversees the high school placement process for the graduating 8th graders and continues to provide academic, social and financial support to graduates through high school. The Graduate Support program then supports students and families through the college application, matriculation, persistence, and completion process. Educational access and equality have always been passions for Nora and she is committed to continuously serving underrepresented students to and through college. She has fostered this passion and commitment through prior experiences with the KIPP Charter school network, City Year, The Posse Foundation, and Options Through Education, a summer bridge program at Boston College. Nora is a double Eagle with a B.A in Psychology and an M.A in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. It was through her work in the non-profit sector and through a friend and current board member that she was introduced to Breakthrough Greater Boston.

Bio coming soon!

Bio to come!

SEI Math Teacher at Chelsea High School Valerie joined Breakthrough as a writing teacher in Cambridge in the summer of 2014. She grew up in Wayland, MA, and attended Yale University, where she earned a B.A. in American Studies. While at Yale, Valerie taught health classes in the New Haven Public Schools and led hiking trips in the mountain ranges of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. After graduating from Yale, Valerie continued teaching by joining the Teach For America Corps in the Greater Boston area, and received her Masters in Education from Boston University in 2017. After her two years with TFA, she continued and is currently teaching SEI Math in the newcomer program at Chelsea High School. After spending a summer with Breakthrough, she saw the incredible support and inspiration that the organization provides to its students. Valerie is excited to be continuing her involvement with Breakthrough through the Associate Board.

Global Business Integration Project Manager at Brown Brothers Harriman Derek currently works as a Project Manager on the Global Business Integration Team at Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH), a custodial bank and investment management firm based. Prior to moving to the Global Business Integration Team Derek worked at BBH as a Lead Business Analyst on technology projects, a Client Account Manager, and an accountant. Derek earned his B.A. in Economics and Finance from Assumption College in Worcester and is an MBA Candidate at Northeastern University here in Boston. Derek first got involved with Breakthrough when a friend associated with the organization invited him to the Breakthrough Gala in 2016. There Derek learned about the inspiring work that breakthrough does to benefit it’s students and teachers, alike, in the Students Teaching Students model. After the Gala, Derek joined Host Committee for the First Annual Breakthrough Bash, the inaugural instance of the Associate Board’s flagship event. After being a host at the event and attending another student centered event, Derek was a firm believer in the mission of Breakthrough, and their approach to development for students and teachers. In 2017, Derek joined the Associate Board and was a Co-Chair of the Host Committee for the Second Annual Breakthrough Bash.

Associate at Bain Capital Jesse is currently an Associate in the Private Equity group at Bain Capital, where he invests behind various consumer, retail, and healthcare companies. Prior to that, he was at Bain & Company where he was involved in a non-profit charter school geared towards lower-income students, as well as education technology. Jesse grew up in Los Angeles and studied at Columbia University, where he earned a B.S. in Operations Research. During college, he was involved in the student council, served as the President of a Christian fellowship organization, and served as a personal tutor. Jesse has always been interested in equity in education, having been involved as both a student and teacher in a similar program to Breakthrough in Los Angeles and serving as a volunteer to various educational nonprofits. He was first introduced to Breakthrough through a former Associate Board member, and after being inspired by Breakthrough’s mission and its tangible impact on students, formally joined the Associate Board in 2017.

Co-Founder and COO at SubscriberVoice Mike is currently on the founding team of a Boston-based tech startup. He was previously a Manager in the Advisory Services practice of Ernst & Young LLP. Mike studied at Boston College and received a B.S. in Finance and Corporate Reporting. While at BC Mike was involved in volunteer initiatives including Youth Opportunity Boston through the PULSE program, Habitat for Humanity and the Appalachia Service Project. He continued to serve the Boston community while at EY through his involvement in Junior Achievement. Mike’s involvement with Breakthrough Greater Boston began in 2014 when he became interested and inspired by the student testimonials at the Spring Gala. Realizing Breakthrough’s mission was in line with similar programs Mike had been involved with and passionate about at BC and his time at EY, he sought to get formally involved to further the cause and applied to join the associate board. Outside work, Mike enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling.

Senior Video Editor/Motion Graphics Creator at Lax Sports Network Ryan is currently the Senior Video Editor/Motion Graphics Creator at Lax United Marketing, where for the past 7 years he has created a wide variety of digital and broadcast content for CBS Sports Network, Lax Sports Network and Major League Lacrosse. Prior to working with LUM he was a Production Assistant with the local NBC Affiliate WHDH-TV Boston. Ryan studied at Ithaca College and received a B.S. in Television Video Production and a Minor in Business Administration in May of 2009. Ryan became interested in working with Breakthrough Greater Boston after attending the 2014 Spring Gala with a current board member. He was quickly inspired by BTGB’s mission for educational equity after experiencing the passion and excitement of both the students and staff first hand.

Associate at Education Resource Strategies Winnie became a part of the Breakthrough family in the summer of 2012, when she taught 9th grade Biology with Breakthrough New York. Since then, she has continued to pursue her passion in education through her work at a college-mentoring program, ReadySetLaunch, and with the Policy department at Recovery School District in New Orleans. Winnie received her B.A. from Yale University in Psychology. Currently, Winnie works at Education Resource Strategies, a non-profit consulting organization that analyzes how resource use- people, time and money- can improve student achievement. She joined the Breakthrough Associate Board in 2015 to stay connected with the Breakthrough family, and to find ways to continue to support the incredible learning that happens for Breakthrough teachers and students.