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Who We Are

Your Partners in Strategic Leadership

This isn't corporate consulting. It's public service. We work alongside government, education, and nonprofit leaders to build the capacity, systems, and strategies that move communities forward.

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We build research-backed systems that deliver results communities can feel.

How Do You Work with Education Systems?

Breakthrough partners with K-12 districts and education agencies to:

  • Strengthen leadership

  • Align stakeholders

  • Build strategic plans that translate into real change in schools and classrooms 

We support superintendents and school leaders with facilitated planning sessions, community engagement, and workforce development, helping education teams move from vision to implementation.


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How Do You Work with Governments?

We work with state and local government agencies to:

  • Navigate complex initiatives

  • Engage communities

  • Build internal capacity

From strategic planning and cross-department alignment to public outreach and workforce training, Breakthrough Leadership Consulting helps government teams cut through bureaucracy and deliver results constituents can see and feel.


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How Do You Work with Non-Profits?

Breakthrough helps non-profit organizations sharpen their strategy, engage their stakeholders, and strengthen the teams doing the work.

Whether you're scaling a program, navigating a leadership transition, or building community trust, we bring the structure and support to help your mission move forward.

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How Do You Work with Private Sector Partners?

Working alongside government and community partners, we help private sector organizations align strategy, build relationships with public stakeholders, and navigate the unique dynamics of public-private collaboration.

If your work impacts communities, we help make sure it lands well.

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Who We Are
We partner with public-serving institutions to build leadership, systems, and cultures that honor public trust and work in service of people and communities.
We are Humble
We listen first and lead with respect.
We are Practical
We focus on solutions that work in the real world.
We are Faith-Filled
We are grounded in service and purpose.
We are Inclusive
We believe better decisions come from diverse perspectives.
We are Professional
We honor the trust placed in public institutions.
We are Research-Informed
We ground our work in evidence-based practice.
Who We Are

Breakthrough Leadership Consulting exists to help public-serving organizations navigate complexity with clarity, care, and accountability.

We work alongside leaders and partners to align people, systems, and strategies, so good intentions turn into results that communities can feel.

What Makes Us Unique?
Who We Are

Meet Our Team

Our team brings more than 25 years of experience working alongside public-serving institutions—listening carefully, understanding context, and helping leaders guide meaningful change.

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Leaders & Professionals Developed
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Deb Hanmer
Founder & CEO
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Steven Hanmer, MPA, CMP
Managing Partner
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Kenji Graham
Project & Operations Associate

Working with us is easy.

Together, we will create the best plan for whatever goals you're looking to achieve. Explore answers to our most common questions.

Step 1: Discover 20%
Step 2: Design 50%
Step 3: Build 75%
Step 4: Implement & Sustain 100%
What types of organizations does Breakthrough work with?

Breakthrough partners with:

  • State and local government agencies

  • School systems (district, charter, and independent)

  • Nonprofits

  • Mission-driven organizations

We also collaborate with private-sector clients through B2B services and subcontracting partnerships aligned to our core competencies.

Most of our clients are navigating growth, leadership transition, system redesign, or increased complexity.

What are Breakthrough’s core competencies?

Our three primary areas of specialization are:

  • Strategic Planning
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Workforce Training and Leadership Development

These competencies are adapted to each sector we serve.

How does Breakthrough approach engagements?

We operate through a structured, phased model that begins with discovery and diagnosis, moves through strategy design and alignment, and extends into implementation support and capacity building.

Our focus is not only delivering recommendations, but equipping organizations to execute and sustain results.

What outcomes can clients expect?

Clients can expect:

  • Clearer strategic alignment

  • Stronger governance and leadership structures

  • Improved stakeholder engagement processes

  • Practical implementation roadmaps tied to measurable outcomes

Where does Breakthrough operate?

Breakthrough is headquartered in Rochester, New York, with additional offices in Washington, D.C. We serve clients across the United States through in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagements.

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  • “Working with Breakthrough Leadership Consulting was a great experience. Deb and Steve provided a welcoming and engaging approach that created space for authentic dialogue and feedback. Through these collaborative conversations, we were able to achieve well-informed analysis, insights, and recommendations for strategic planning. ”
    Erica Hernandez
    Director of Neighborhood Service Centers,

    City of Rochester

  • “Deb has served as a vital partner in the creation and development of a leadership program for faculty, staff, and administrators at our school. Deb’s presence and professionalism combined with her keen insight into people and organizations all explain why she has received rave reviews from our community year after year. She listens carefully and collaborates wholeheartedly in addressing institutional and individual needs and steering teams toward collective impact."
    Eric Roland
    Director of Partnership Tangs Institute,

    Philips Andover Academy

  • “Working with the team at Breakthrough has been instrumental in advancing the Police Accountability Board’s strategic planning efforts. Their ability to translate complex ideas into accessible, meaningful strategies has strengthened the Board’s internal direction and external messaging. Breakthrough’s partnership ensured that the PAB’s work is not only clear and actionable but also aligned with its mission to promote accountability, transparency, and community trust.”
    Dr. Lesli Myers-Small
    Executive Director, Rochester Police Accountability Board

    City of Rochester

  • “Thank you for facilitating such a meaningful retreat today. Your thoughtful approach to creating an environment that balanced information sharing, hands-on application, and group discussion really enhanced our learning experience.The activities you designed gave us valuable opportunities to reflect on organizational growth and learn from each other in a supportive, non-judgmental space.Thank you again for your time, expertise, and the care you put into making this such a worthwhile experience for all of us. I look forward to staying in touch.”
    Aileen Mokuria
    Director of Youth Programming
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