FOUNDER & PARTNER
Laura Barnard founded BREAKTHRU with a no-limits mindset. By empowering underrepresented leaders to break barriers, Barnard is on a mission to help make the world a more equitable place.
Leveraging her two decades of experience leading global, iconic brands, Barnard has focused her agency on building leadership brands for those boldly leading us into the future.
Collaboration is central to Barnard’s personal brand. As a former Division I athlete, she has experienced the power of teamwork and the importance of each teammate. She brings energy, openness, and perseverance to collaborative environments while motivating others to self-actualize.
Her BA in Psychology from Harvard University and MBA in Marketing & Strategic Management from the University of Chicago have informed her belief in the power of brands to connect people and drive positive change.
And, as a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Barnard is passionate about aligning with other purpose-driven leaders and organizations to help end prejudice, eliminate discriminatory obstacles, and advance equity.
With an extensive corporate and creative career, LaTasha Brown humanizes words and propels strategies and brands to the next level.
Through storytelling, Brown’s superpower is helping leaders illuminate their authentic voices. She captures words in a way that gives life and creates vivid imagery. She aims to craft content that tells unique narratives and resonates and reflects one’s best, most confident self.
Always with diversity and inclusion at the forefront, Brown’s creative writing experience spans international publications and corporate insights that influence various industries: media, music & entertainment, manufacturing, human services, and education.
Brown’s MA and BA in psychology, her focus on leadership development, and her passion for creative, strategic branding complement her overall reach when challenging various perspectives and brands to think and be better.
BRAND MANAGER
Lorrie Cardwell-Panfil is motivated by helping others find genuine contentment.
With a BA in Sociology and a career focused on the development of people and communities, Cardwell-Panfil’s 15 years of professional experience have been centered around empowering others to live authentically and purposefully.
From leading classrooms to community centers, Cardwell-Panfil is passionate about learning and development. And these very personal, hands-on experiences have informed her human-centric approach to marketing, branding, and personal growth.
From clients making big decisions to colleagues navigating next steps, she has always been someone others turn to in order to find clarity. And at BREAKTHRU, Cardwell-Panfil provides a trusted ear and safe space for purpose-driven leaders to discover their own motivations.
CEO & PARTNER
Lindsay Gaskins propels people, ideas, and organizations forward. As a magnetic, award-winning CEO, Board Member, Founder, and Activist, Gaskins drives progress by challenging societal standards and innovating for future growth.
As CEO of BREAKTHRU, Gaskins guides leaders to build disruptive, leader-centric brands that encourage bold thinking and brave initiative. And as an active Founding Member of Chief, the largest women’s network, and Board Member for an LGBTQIA+ non-profit, she is on a mission to spark action through empowerment.
Over the past 20+ years, innovation has followed where Gaskins has led. Since her Crain’s 40 Under 40 recognition early in her career, Gaskins has grown a portfolio of barrier-breaking brands for nationally-known entities, emerging executives, and growing startups–including her own.
And as Gaskins lives out her purpose, she is helping replace a legacy of patriarchy with leaders who are building connection and inclusion.
PARTNER & CHIEF STRATEGIST
With a passion for stimulating divergent perspectives and cultivating dynamic experiences, Hallie Steube Robinson leads the development and execution of brand strategy at BREAKTHRU.
Her natural entrepreneurial spirit, MBA in Business and BA in Mass Communications, and 15+ years of experience leading marketing and technology teams have created diverse opportunities of impact. And as an expert strategist, Robinson provides intentional support to others–serving as a connector of information and insight.
From how a leadership brand looks, sounds, and feels to building scalable strategies and systems, Robinson activates growth strategically and meaningfully. Not only does she possess technical skills and expertise, but her innate curiosity and desire for others to be their most authentic self are also what ignite the quality of her influence.
As an entrepreneur, founder, and strategist, Robinson is unlocking the strategic thinking, positioning, and communications that make leaders internally clear in order to set them up to make the greatest impact.
With a well-rounded background in marketing, creative writing, and the arts, Katherine “Kat” Yocum is uniquely positioned to empower clients to build their own authentic leadership brand.
Throughout the course of her academic and professional careers, Yocum has honed her skills in long-form writing, editing, and organization. Her MA in Creative Writing and BA in English have helped her both in copywriting and proofreading; they have also enabled her to become an excellent researcher and critical thinker.
Yocum enjoys putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys), and she prioritizes creativity and collaboration to fully understand a client’s needs and bring their ideas to fruition.
Personally and professionally, Yocum is passionate about academia, justice, equity, arts and culture, health and wellness, and, of course, writing.
