Deb joined Breakthrough Manchester at the Derryfield School in August 2018. Her varied career path prepared her well for Breakthrough Manchester’s dual mission of supporting bright and motivated students from underserved communities on the path to college while training the next generation of college students to become effective teachers working with a diverse student population. Deb is a member of the Affiliate Committee for Breakthrough’s national organization and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Breakthrough Collaborative.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, Deb began her career with Merrill Lynch where she was a Series 7 Registered Representative who trained Financial Advisors throughout the country. After 10 years, she stepped away to work with nonprofits in Rhode Island, mostly as a volunteer while her children were young. She served on the board of St. Mary’s Home for Children, was President of the Junior League of Rhode Island and was Treasurer of the Rhode Island Antiques Show. Deb volunteered at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Tomorrow Fund, and other organizations supporting women’s and children’s health.

Deb was with The Gordon School in Rhode Island for 25 years in various roles from Director of Technology and Robotics Coach to the classroom teacher and President of the Gordon Community Association. She co-chaired fundraising events and campaigns and taught Spanish, computer skills, and world geography to various grade levels. She also was a second-grade and fifth-grade classroom teacher and served as an afterschool and summer camp administrator. For twelve of those years, Deb mentored a sixth-grade Advisory. The Gordon School is nationally known as a leader in multicultural and social justice education.

Deb joined Breakthrough Manchester at the Derryfield School in August 2018. Her varied career path prepared her well for Breakthrough Manchester’s dual mission of supporting bright and motivated students from underserved communities on the path to college while training the next generation of college students to become effective teachers working with a diverse student population. Deb is a member of the Affiliate Committee for Breakthrough’s national organization and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Breakthrough Collaborative.

In the local community, Deb is a member of Leadership Greater Manchester’s Class of 2020,  and her involvement in the local and statewide community includes Concord Chamber of Commerce, New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits, Manchester Proud’s Community Compass, Manchester Kiwanis, MCAC (Manchester Community Action Coalition) and the Education Committees of NAACP and Race and Equity in New Hampshire. As a certified yoga and licensed Zumba instructor, Deb also enjoys leading Yoga and Zumba classes for both Breakthrough and Derryfield faculty, staff and students!

Caroline discovered Breakthrough Manchester in 2019 when she joined the program as a Teaching Fellow. She spent her first summer teaching 7th Grade Literature. This summer solidified her passion for youth development and equitable programming, leading her to return in 2020 to teach 8th Grade Literature. Two summers at Breakthrough and her UNH degree in Program Management prepared her perfectly to serve as  Breakthrough’s Operations Coordinator in summer 2021.

“My first summer at Breakthrough changed the trajectory of my career. I discovered a love for education and developing equitable and inclusive programming for every student. Everyone needs a space to explore and find their passions. Breakthrough fosters that exploration while opening doors to investigate what is out there. I am excited to bring my past Breakthrough experiences and new experiences to the community.”

After the 2021 summer, Caroline moved across the country to Salt Lake City Utah. In Utah, she was the Volunteer and Event Coordinator for a local non-profit organization, The Family Support Center. She was able to bring the programming skills she had learned at Breakthrough to the families she served and partner with them to start a Girl Scout Troop, organize volunteer groups to build a new playground, and bring every child in the program a brand new bike. After a year in Utah, Breakthrough brought her back to New Hampshire and she is thrilled to be back in the Breakthrough Community.

Caroline graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2021 with a degree in Recreation Management and Policy, Program, and Event Management. While attending UNH, she served as a Dean’s Ambassador in the College of Health and Human Services, ACE (Academic, Career, and Engagement) Mentor, Vice President of the Ski and Board Club, and Admissions Representative. During her four years as a Tour Guide, she developed a deeper understanding of higher education and the barriers to access which is what led her to Breakthrough in the first place.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys crafting, skiing, and being outside!