About
KBL Impact Partners is an innovative social change and economic development organization, igniting organizations to scale their social impact and diversify their funding through adopting a proven model for growth and sustainability.
Collectively, Brad and Kathy bring over 50 years of real-life experience as social entrepreneurs, with national recognition building evidence-based programs in the field of social, economic, and workforce development. This has been done by creating successful partnerships including nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and businesses. Using their experience and proven model, Brad and Kathy Lambert inspire change agents to develop strategic partnerships and collaborations, ultimately co-creating a positive, sustainable impact for the organizations they serve.
KBL Impact Partners ignites organizations to scale their social impact and diversify their funding through adopting a proven model for growth and sustainability.
These values reflect our commitment to making a positive impact in all that we do:
Dedication to the growth and sustainability of change agents who are doing social good.
We believe in radically shifting the status quo in the way we think and act.
We inspire hope and belief that change is possible by sharing our collective experiences.
We believe positive thinking creates powerful minds and impacts many.
We recognize every voice is empowered through diversity, inclusion, and equity.
As KBL Impact Partners, Kathy and Brad bring over 50 years of experience to your organization. Having built a successful nonprofit, strong and collaborative partnerships, and an encouraging working environment, they are here to help support your organization’s growth and financial strength.
Are you ready to begin co-creating your organization’s long-term sustainability?
“Brad and Kathy are authentic, visionary leaders with the desire to fully support the growth of the nonprofit sector.”
– Professional Coach
For more than 23 years, Kathy Lambert has worked to disrupt the cycle of poverty with a holistic family approach. Her journey began in 1997 after she read an article about Dress for Success New York, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women re-enter the workforce by providing interview clothing. Recognizing a similar need in her St. Louis community, Kathy launched Dress for Success Midwest to help women coming from difficult circumstances achieve economic independence.
Kathy quickly learned about the challenges many low-income single moms face, including a lack of transportation and difficulty navigating social service and justice systems. To help address the need for transportation, Kathy’s husband, Brad, started Wheels for Success, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting individuals and families with reliable transportation. In 2001, Kathy and Brad merged their organizations to create Connections to Success (CtS) with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration for the next generation.
Kathy has provided passionate leadership and overseen CtS’s growth into a regional nonprofit with sites in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas. Today CtS is nationally recognized as an evidence-based model for Economic Mobility, improving children’s futures by helping parents gain social capital and achieve economic independence. Connections to Success has 13 Membership sites in 7 states.
Kathy’s work has been recognized locally and nationally. She received the 2020/21 Legacy Alumni Award from Focus St. Louis, 2019 Women of Influence Award by RISE Collaborative, 2017 St. Louis Women of Achievement Award for Social Enterprise, 2005 The Athena Leadership Award, in addition to awards from the State of Missouri and the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2013 Kathy received the Volunteer Service Award from President Obama and in 2014 she participated in an invitation-only White House Summit for Working Families. She is a graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis Leadership program, NSC’s Nonprofit Women’s Leadership Academy, the NIC Offender Workforce Development Specialist Train the Trainer and the National Practitioners Leadership Institute, where she served as a faculty member. Kathy served as the first Board President for Dress for Success Worldwide and served as a 2017-2018 Mentor for the DeVos Urban Leadership Program in St. Louis. In February 2018, Kathy was appointed to serve on the Missouri State Workforce Development Board and recently accomplished one of her goals on her bucket list – she is now a TEDX Speaker.
Brad began his career in the engineering and construction industry after earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1975. He spent more than 20 years in this industry and served as Vice President of Business Development for an international general contractor.
In 1998, Brad’s professional trajectory shifted. Recognizing the challenges of low-income families in their community, Brad left his corporate position to help underserved families achieve a higher quality of life. He started Wheels for Success, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting individuals and families with reliable transportation.
Brad and his wife, Kathy, combined their skills in 2001 to co-found Connections to Success (CtS) in the St. Louis region, merging Wheels for Success and Dress for Success. The new organization began offering workforce development services while connecting individuals and families with reliable transportation. Under Brad and Kathy’s leadership, CtS has grown into a regional nonprofit with multiple locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas.
Today CtS is recognized nationally for its evidence-based model that improves children’s futures by helping parents gain social capital and achieve economic independence. The CtS model integrates employment training opportunities, life transformation coaching, job development and ongoing support services to equip participants for long-term success. Through Brad and Kathy’s leadership and oversight, CtS has also launched innovative programs designed to address the unique challenges experienced by justice-involved individuals and their families.
In January 2021, after 23 years at CtS, Brad and Kathy chose to step down as COO and CEO and begin a new adventure. KBL Impact Partners LLC was created to serve other nonprofits in developing strategic partnerships and collaborations necessary to grow, enhance organizational outcomes, and improve long-term sustainability.
Programs and Services
“Social return on investment (SROI) can serve as a compelling mechanism to tell your story, because it helps your organization confidently answer the question, How much of a difference are we making?”
Suzanne Smith
Social Impact Architects
