Breakthrough Louisville
Empowering Students, Building Educators
Our mission of serving under-resourced middle school students and training young college students for the teaching profession has been part of the Louisville community for over 30 years. We know from national data that out-of-school time programs improve academic motivation, increase school attendance, and support long-term educational outcomes.
From Summerbridge to Breakthrough Louisville
For 30 years, we’ve served Louisville families with summer learning programs that provide a human connection. Young teachers form bonds with their students in a safe environment. Students are accepted for who they are and never labeled by behavior. What started as Summerbridge in 1992 is now Breakthrough Louisville, a community of students, families, and teachers committed to closing the learning gap.
We were the 25th affiliate of the Breakthrough Collaborative, a national network dedicated to educational equity. Being part of this network strengthens our local work and connects our students and teachers to a movement with proven impact across the country. This strong connection also provides an array of resources – from financial support to classroom curriculum – to offer a first-class experience for the students.
The People Behind the Program
Our staff, board, and teaching fellows bring energy, experience, and care to every classroom. Together, we create a program that values diversity, fosters growth, and champions the success of every student.
Meet our Executive Director
Dr. Tiffany Bridgewater
Dr. Tiffany Bridgewater is a seasoned educator and community leader with 28 years of experience advancing academic and social-emotional programs, developing leaders, and expanding opportunities for students. After more than a decade as Head of Lower School and Director of Community Engagement & Belonging at Louisville Collegiate School, she now serves as Executive Director of Breakthrough Louisville.
Dedicated to social impact, Tiffany serves on the boards of Impact 100 Louisville, Educational Justice, and IEP Parenting Virginia. She has coached DEI practitioners, facilitated retreats for the Louisville Ballet, led training for Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, and partnered with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence on belonging and engagement initiatives. Nationally recognized for her expertise in leadership, equity, and organizational culture, she was honored as a 2021 Bingham Fellow with Leadership Louisville. Her work combines strategic vision and authentic connection to help organizations grow their impact.
Kate Lindsay
Kate was hired as the new Executive Director of Breakthrough Louisville (SBL) in December of 2015. Prior to joining Breakthrough Louisville (formerly Summerbridge), Kate served for 13 years as the Director of Pro Bono and Public Service Programs at the Louisville Bar Association (LBA). While at the LBA, she was responsible for creating and managing programs that targeted communities not typically capable of accessing and affording professional legal services. Prior to the LBA, Kate worked for 10 years at the Metro United Way in the Community Investment Department responsible for allocating funds to member agencies.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Science from Centre College and a Master of Science in Community Development from the University of Louisville. As a native of Louisville, Kate is deeply committed to improving our community and is married with two children.
2025 Board of Directors
Katherine Bell, Chair
Attorney
Gwen Young, Vice-Chair
Retired-Attorney
Phil Bond, Treasurer
CPA
Maggie Faurest
Louisville Collegiate Trustee
Ed Green
C2 Strategic Communications
Natalie Jacobs Hall
Breakthrough Collaborative
Carol Jones
Main Street Realty
Dr. Robert Macrae
Head of School Louisville Collegiate
Ameerah Palacios
HDR
Sarah Steenrod
Louisville Collegiate
Charles Stopher
Boehl Stopher & Graves
Elizabeth Tafel
Community Volunteer
Alissa Vance
Broadway Baptist Church
