Our Team

Our Team

Year Round Staff

Dr. EIlidh AB Hall, Executive Director

Eilidh joined Breakthrough Manchester as Executive Director in August 2026, bringing experience across education, public policy, diplomacy, and nonprofit leadership on both sides of the Atlantic. Throughout her career, Eilidh has been driven by a commitment to expanding pathways to opportunity. As an Assistant Professor and as a Fulbright Scholar in Texas, she worked directly with students to support their academic growth and success. Earlier in her career, she also mentored students preparing for higher education through access programs, taught English to high school students in Spain, and contributed to widening participation initiatives designed to support children from underrepresented backgrounds. These experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the barriers students face and the transformative impact of sustained, high-quality support.

“I’m so happy to join Breakthrough Manchester and to be part of a community so deeply committed to educational equity. One of my favorite writers, Gloria Anzaldua, talks about doing work that matters — and this is work that matters. Throughout my career, I’ve seen the difference that opportunity, encouragement, and sustained support can make in a young person’s life. Breakthrough’s focus on students and aspiring educators preparing to learn, lead, and make lasting impact really resonates with me. I’m excited to bring my experience to this work and to help build on Breakthrough’s successes in Manchester.”

Originally from Scotland, Eilidh moved to New England in 2023 and enjoys getting out and about to explore all that New Hampshire has to offer.

Alice Handwerk, Director of Philanthropy & Communications

Alice Handwerk serves as Breakthrough Manchester’s Director of Philanthropy and Communications. Alice joined Breakthrough in December 2019 after being part of Derryfield’s (Breakthrough’s host site) Office of Philanthropy and Engagement. Prior to her tenure at Derryfield, Alice worked as the Director of Development at the Sheridan School in Washington, DC began her development career at The League of Women Voters and also worked at The George Washington University.

“It has been very rewarding to work with the Breakthrough community. My work has come an impact. After graduating from Colby College with a Sociology degree, I worked with adolescents from underserved communities in Philadelphia and Washington, DC before launching my philanthropy career. My time with Breakthrough has been the most rewarding of my career!”

Originally from Philadelphia, Alice lives in Amherst with her husband, their two college-aged daughters, and their rescue dog, Guthrie. She loves everything New Hampshire has to offer from the coast to the mountains and embraces outdoor activities year-round including telemark skiing, hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, swimming, and tennis. When not outdoors, she enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with family

Morgan Loomis, Program Director

Morgan Loomis serves as Breakthrough Manchester’s Program Director. Morgan joined Breakthrough in January of 2026 after serving two summers as a teaching fellow and graduating with her B.A. in Education and Music from Bennington College in VT. Prior to working with Breakthrough, Morgan has worked at various schools in southern NH in both teaching and staff roles. Notably, she has also served with City Year Manchester and worked on their Marketing, Communications, and Recruitment team.

“Educational equity is a big deal to me, and since joining Breakthrough in 2023 I’ve been thinking about the impact this program has had on our students. It’s so magical to see them thrive, seeing the ‘Aha!’ moments, and knowing that the work we do is shaping young, capable, motivated leaders. Watching the incoming 7th graders move on to high school, taking their driver’s tests, going to college, achieving their goals, that’s what it’s all about here and I love being part of that process.”

Morgan was born and raised here in the granite state, taking in all it has to offer. Outside of education, she works as a freelance musician and private lesson teacher, runs an independent music magazine, plays fiddle at old-time sessions, hikes, snowshoes, explores the New England area, and spends time with her partner, friends, and family.

 

Advisory Committee

Breakthrough Manchester operates under the legal and fiduciary umbrella of The Derryfield School, a 501c3 non-profit school governed by a Board of Trustees. The Breakthrough Middle School Program is hosted on The Derryfield School campus while the College-Bound High School Program is hosted by, and fully supported through, Southern New Hampshire University. A Memorandum of Understanding governs the relationships between Breakthrough, Derryfield, and SNHU.

The Breakthrough Manchester Advisory Committee supports the dual mission of Breakthrough Manchester and are committed to its programmatic and financial success and sustainability. In accordance with the MOU, the Advisory Committee consists of three members from or appointed by The Derryfield School, three members from or appointed by Southern NH University, and three members appointed by the Executive Director of Breakthrough Manchester. The Executive Director is the tenth non-voting member.

Advisory Committee members cultivate effective relationships with stakeholder groups, maintain a singular focus on the program’s mission and serve as Breakthrough ambassadors to the education, business, philanthropic, and client communities. Advisory Committee members are expected to contribute financial support to the program on an annual basis to the best of their ability, and to encourage others to do the same.

Breakthrough Manchester Advisory Committee 2026-27

 

Adeola Adeniyi (she/her)
Grad Assistant Project AIM, Southern New Hampshire University
Adeola’s daughter and son are Breakthrough College-Bound Students

Andy Chappel, Ex-Officio (he/him)                                                                                                                                                                                     Head of School, The Derryfield School; Derryfield Alumni Parent

Jennifer Baker (she/her)
Director of Talent & Development, Summit Path Partners                                                                                                                                          Friend and supporter of Breakthrough 

Dr. Jennifer Carrobis (she/her)
Associate Professor of Elementary Education/Math, Southern New Hampshire University
Jenn’s daughter was a Breakthrough Teaching Intern

Kate Chappell (she/her)
Education Manager, Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Mass General Hospital
Breakthrough Teaching Fellow Alumna

Kathleen Rutty-Fey (she/her)                                                                                                                                                                                              Friend and supporter of Derryfield, Former liaison to The Derryfield School 

L. Jonathan Ross (he/him)
Attorney, Primmer, Piper, Eggleston & Cramer PC
Jon chaired The Derryfield Board when Breakthrough (then Summerbridge) was founded in 1991

Joel Rozen (he/him)
Liaison, The Derryfield Board of Trustees
Joel’s sons are Breakthrough Teaching Interns

 Dr. Eilidh AB Hall, Executive Director (she/her)

 

 

The Derryfield School

Breakthrough Manchester was founded in 1991 as Summerbridge, a program of The Derryfield School, to fill the need for academic enrichment and support for motivated Manchester students with limited opportunities. Breakthrough’s middle school program is hosted on Derryfield’s campus and many Derryfield students and alumni participate in the program as teachers.

Southern New Hampshire University

In conjunction with Breakthrough’s 25th anniversary, a partnership was formed with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in 2016 to launch Breakthrough College-Bound. This program provides continued support for Breakthrough students through the high school years to college matriculation – thus creating a seamless six-year, tuition-free college access pipeline under the Breakthrough Manchester umbrella. 

Breakthrough Collaborative

The Breakthrough Collaborative is a national organization overseeing 25 Breakthrough affiliates across the country, with Manchester being one of the oldest. The Collaborative: 

  • provides curricula, evaluation tools, and teacher recruitment
  • gathers and analyzes data across the affiliates
  • fosters collaboration to build on best practices
  • Community of Practice supports fundraising efforts by affiliates

Manchester School District

Breakthrough Manchester works closely with the Manchester School District to recruit students into the program and to support our current students through grade tracking and academic support.

Breakthrough Manchester is part of the Community Partnership Network of organizations engaged with the Manchester Schools.