We are dedicated to increasing access to quality child care for three- and four-year-olds in Louisville, KY. Established in 2024 as an independent 501(c)(3), TB5L supports existing early learning providers by leveraging public and philanthropic funding to recruit and retain early educators, improve childcare facilities, and provide financial assistance to families. TB5L emerged from the Mayor’s Early Learning Action Group (MELAG), which was formed by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg in 2023 to address the critical need for expanded early childhood education in the community.
Frequently Asked Questions PDF
Board of Directors
Ashley Novak Butler
Executive Director of Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation
Thrive by 5 Louisville Board of Directors Chairperson
David Nicklies
President & CEO of Nicklies Development
Thrive by 5 Louisville Board of Directors Treasurer
Tony Peyton
Executive VP of Policy & Chief of Staff of National Center for Families
Thrive by 5 Louisville Board of Directors Vice Chair
Lisa DeJaco Crutcher
CEO of Catholic Charities of Louisville
Thrive by 5 Board of Directors Secretary
Mariana Barzun
Executive Director of Mayor Greenberg's Office of Philanthropy
Kristen Byrd
Regional President of PNC Bank, Kentucky
David Calzi
Former CEO/Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville Douglas Craddock
Douglas Craddock
Vice President of Community Engagement, University of Louisville
Lisa Dischinger
Founder & Co-owner of LDG Development
Michael Gritton
Executive Director of KentuckianaWorks
Allie Holtz
Director of Channel Marketing for GE Appliances
Adria Johnson
President & CEO of Metro United Way
Izmene Peredo Martinez
Co-founder & Co-owner of Con Huevos
Angie McDonald
Vice President, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for PPL Corporation
Lopa Mehrotra
Social Entrepreneur
Diane Scardino
Chief Administrative Officer of Norton Children's Hospital & Norton Children's Medical Center
Rose Smith
Executive Director of The Ace Project
Advisory Council
Susan Allen
Program Coordinator, Interdiscplinary Early Childhood Education, JCTC
Brett Bachmann
CEO, Heuser Hearing Institute
Jon Lee
Associate Professor and Director - Early Childhood Research Center, University of Louisville
Sarah Vanover
Policy and Advocacy Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates
Cori Gadansky
Executive Director, Community Coordinated Child Care (4C)
Ashley Brandt
Director, Thriving Kids, Metro United Way
Rina Gratz
Director, Early Childhood and Primary Education Policy and Practice, The Prichard Committee
Terry Tolan
Consultant, CNPE
Deve Collins
Head Director, Our Angels Childcare Center
Mary Jolly
Strategic Partnerships Administrator, LMPHCS
Dr. Asia Rivers
President, The Career Center for Earliy Educators, Inc.
Carlissa Gibson
Executive Director of Early Learning, JCPS
Kim Chevalier
Chief of Exceptional Child Education, JCPS
Hans Petersen
Regional Child Care Aware Administrator, Child Care Aware of KY, Jefferson region
Roni Witherspoon
Greater Louisville Headstart Director, Family and Children's Place
Josie Raymond
Metro Council Person, Metro Council
Kathy Mullens
Director of Education, Visually Impaired Preschool Services
Lisa Thompson
Chief Impact Officer, Louisville Urban League
Karina Barillas
Executive Director, La Casita Center
Annette Bridges
Professor of Early Childhood Teacher Education, Simmons College
Lindsey Jones
Executive Director, Mind Body Child