Stephen’s Breakthrough journey started in May of 2015 as a workshop participant. Upon graduation he became a team member supporting new workshop participants. He has served as a volunteer on various committees and was asked to join the board of directors in 2018 and was Chairman of the Board in 2021 and became Executive Director in 2022. He graduated from Monterey High School, has a degree in electronics engineering from Cal Poly, SLO and an MBA from Golden Gate University.
“It’s not that my world was falling apart so much as it wasn’t coming together. It’s hard for things to come together when you aren’t even sure what YOU want. On the surface, I was functional, ticking all the boxes of life. Family, business, economics, health, etc., but I was missing out on, what I now recognize as, a deeper relationship with myself. Which, as it turns out, was the missing link in a deeper relationship with my wife and children too.
A good friend recognized the signs and symptoms of a man who was ready for Breakthrough. He shared his story with an open heart giving me the courage to take a chance on myself. What I’ve come to recognize and appreciate about Breakthrough is how it is designed to meet a man right where he is. Men from all walks of life, regardless of different life paths, share the very human need for community. I’d only ever experienced comradery with men through sports and business. A community of men healing men. Now that’s something altogether different. And as it turns out, was exactly what I needed in 2015 when I entered the program
In the years since, I’ve been an ally, a friend, a confidant, a mentor, and mentee. I’ve learned so much from my connections in Breakthrough. I’ve participated in and chaired committees. I spent four years on the board supporting the vision and navigating the trials of a pandemic. It’s been humbling, as I’ve never been a part of an organization where men give so freely of their time and resources to keep paying it forward for others.
When the opportunity arose in 2021, I threw my name in my hat, and was elected to the role of board chair. I filled that role just long enough to get a feel for the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. When the role of Executive Director opened, it felt like my background was a perfect fit for the present needs of the organization. And the next thing I knew, I was out of retirement at 71, getting the chance to apply 40 years of business management expertise to an organization I love.
We are living in a time of great uncertainty. Experts talk about the tsunami of mental health issues that are rising across the planet. Men, in particular, are feeling a sense of isolation and detachment from life. I know Men’s Breakthrough can meet this challenge as I’ve experienced it in my own life. My goal, as executive director of Breakthrough for Men is to support the organization in the development of systems and processes that streamline our administrative efforts while also scaling to meet the increasing demand from men, from all corners of the planet, who can now participate via zoom.
The saying, “It takes a village” is just the start. “It takes a community” to see it through. I’m grateful to be part of the Breakthrough community and look forward to watching it flourish at a time when it is needed more than ever.”