Breakthrough Schools Executive and Leadership Team

Andrew McRae, the Chief Executive Officer at Breakthrough Schools, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire network of public charter schools. By aligning educational outcomes with long-term organizational goals, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that every campus maintains high performance standards across the Cleveland region. Andrew McRae manages relationships with the Board of Directors to secure necessary resources for school expansion and curriculum development. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of academic metrics to drive student achievement and operational efficiency. Through rigorous oversight of administrative functions, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of accountability and excellence. By prioritizing the needs of students, the executive secures the future of the network. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the integrity of the mission while navigating the complexities of the public education landscape to ensure sustainable growth and impactful community engagement.

Susan Ertle, the President at Breakthrough Schools, executes the operational roadmap to ensure that every school site delivers on the promise of high-quality public education. By overseeing the implementation of academic programs and school-level operations, the President maintains the high standards expected of the network. Susan Ertle drives initiatives that enhance the student experience and improve learning outcomes across the Cleveland area. This leadership role involves working closely with school leaders to address operational challenges and implement best practices in classroom management. By monitoring performance data, the President identifies areas for improvement and allocates resources to support school-level success. The President ensures that the network remains responsive to the needs of families and the community. Through consistent focus on operational excellence, the President supports the long-term viability of the organization and ensures that the mission of preparing students for success remains the primary objective.

Juliet Kaye, the Chief of Staff at Breakthrough Schools, coordinates cross-functional initiatives to streamline internal operations and support the executive leadership team. By managing the flow of information between departments, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive consistent attention and resources. Juliet Kaye facilitates communication across the network to align daily activities with the broader mission of providing high-quality public education. This role involves optimizing organizational workflows to increase productivity and reduce administrative friction. By overseeing special projects and high-priority tasks, the Chief of Staff enables the leadership team to focus on long-term growth and student success. The Chief of Staff maintains operational coherence across all school sites, ensuring that policies and procedures support the educational goals of the organization. Through meticulous planning and execution, the Chief of Staff drives the internal efficiency required to sustain a high-performing network.

Jennifer Padlan, the Chief People Officer at Breakthrough Schools, architects the human capital strategy to attract, develop, and retain top-tier educators and administrative talent. By implementing comprehensive professional development programs, the Chief People Officer ensures that staff members possess the skills necessary to drive student achievement. Jennifer Padlan oversees recruitment efforts to build a diverse and highly qualified workforce capable of meeting the unique needs of Cleveland students. This leadership role involves fostering a positive organizational culture that promotes retention and professional growth. By aligning talent management with the strategic objectives of the network, the Chief People Officer supports the overall mission of academic excellence. The Chief People Officer collaborates with other executives to ensure that staffing levels and performance management systems remain robust. Through strategic workforce planning, the Chief People Officer secures the human resources essential for the continued success of the entire school network.