Thrive By 5 Louisville (TB5L), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to quality early care and education in the city, has announced Reylene Robinson as its inaugural Executive Director. Following a national search conducted by Kittleman & Associates, Robinson was selected to lead the organization in its mission to ensure that every child in Louisville has the opportunity to thrive in their earliest years.
Robinson brings extensive executive nonprofit leadership and community engagement experience to the role. She has held key leadership positions in organizations that served vulnerable communities, focusing on improving outcomes and equity for children and families. Most recently, she served as Chief Community Officer at Seven Counties Services, where she spearheaded initiatives that created lasting impact. Her deep commitment to the Louisville community and track record of implementing transformative initiatives make her an ideal choice to lead TB5L through this critical phase of growth.
“Reylene Robinson is an outstanding leader with a passion for supporting children,” said Ashley Novak Butler, TB5L Board Chair and Executive Director of Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation. “Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping Thrive by 5 Louisville’s strategy, building strong partnerships, and advancing policies that support young children and working families. We are thrilled to welcome her as our inaugural Executive Director and look forward to the impact she will make.”
As Executive Director, Robinson will focus on expanding partnerships, advocating for policies that support accessible and affordable child care, driving initiatives to improve early childhood education quality across Louisville, and pursuing sustainable solutions to boost the child care industry.
“I am deeply honored for the opportunity to lead Thrive By 5 Louisville and grateful for the trust placed in me by the board,” said Robinson. “This organization’s mission to expand access to quality early childhood education is critical for the future of our children, families, and community. I am eager to collaborate with community partners, early learning providers, and stakeholders to build a stronger foundation for Louisville’s youngest learners.”
TB5L was established to expand access to high-quality early childhood education, support working families, and strengthen Louisville’s early learning system. By collaborating with public and private partners, the organization aims to remove barriers to child care and create a sustainable, high-quality early learning landscape that benefits children, families, and the broader community.
Over the last year, TB5L has garnered significant support from both state and local governments, including a $5 million allocation from the 2024-2025 Louisville Metro budget as seed capital backed by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Louisville Metro Council. These funds will support the organization’s initial operations and staff hiring, workforce development efforts, and improvements to early learning facilities as part of its first phase of work.
“When I created Thrive By Five, the vision was to make quality early childhood learning opportunities available to every child in Louisville,” said Mayor Greenberg. “I am confident that under Reylene’s leadership, we’ll continue our positive momentum in making this vision a reality in the very near future.”
Research underscores the far-reaching benefits of increasing access to high-quality child care—not only enhancing academic success for children but also strengthening workforce participation and driving economic growth across the community.
To learn more about TB5L, please visit www.thriveby5louisville.org.
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About Thrive by 5 Louisville:
Thrive By 5 Louisville (TB5L) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to quality childcare 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.
To learn more about TB5L, please visit www.thriveby5louisville.org.