Jeff Thinnes Founder and President, Breakthrough Art Organization
Since the mid-1980s, Jeff’s career has focused on the business and political environments in the international arena. Jeff has also lived and worked in Germany more than twelve years and is CEO of JTI, Inc., and professional services firm.
From May, 1990 until July, 1993 Jeff served as Deputy Director of the Aspen Institute Berlin. He later served as Vice President of the Aspen Institute in Aspen, Colorado. While in Berlin, the insights and inspiration he gained from his association with dissident artists from former East Germany later led to the founding of the Breakthrough Art Organization in 2009.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University, a law degree from Indiana University, and a Masters of European Union Law from the Universität des Saarlandes.
Fionnuala Gallet ThinnesVice President, Breakthrough Art Organization
Born in Africa, and an Irish national, Fionnuala has lived and worked in both Europe and the U.S. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Languages (Translating with Interpreting) from Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland in 1986. She has worked in the field of international marketing and communications since her graduation, and co-founded JTI, Inc. with Jeff Thinnes, her husband, in June 1999. Fionnuala oversees all administrative and logistics matters for Breakthrough Art Organization, provides translation support, coordinates Breakthrough personnel, and manages a variety of local and international service partners.
Susan Hettwer HeroOver the last 25 years, Susan has worked with leading consulting organizations worldwide as a management consultant, and has lived in Germany and Switzerland. She has significant experience in project management and IT strategy, and has also developed and conducted numerous training programs. In recent years, Susan was very involved locally in a number of not-for-profit organizations, including Northern Virginia Family Services, assisting in fundraising and gala event planning. For Breakthrough, Susan assists in program planning, manages the coordination of the various resources and partners, facilitates communication amongst the Berlin artists and organizes logistics.
Susan has a BS in Quantitative Business Analysis from Indiana University and studied International Business at the JFK Institute of Technology in Tilburg, the Netherlands. She is also conversant in German. Susan lives in Great Falls with her husband, Greg, and four children.