Brilliant Detroit Names Tarsha Gale as Executive Director;
Co-Founder Cindy Eggleton Moves to Lead its National Brilliant Cities Initiative

Gale joins Brilliant Detroit as the early childhood model expands across the country.

DETROIT – May 12, 2025 – Brilliant Detroit, a neighborhood-powered model ensuring children ages 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported, today announced the organization has named Tarsha Gale as Executive Director.

“Tarsha possesses a wealth of experience in leading programs and strategic initiatives that address systemic barriers and create pathways to success that make her a true asset to the Brilliant Detroit team and the families we serve,” said Co-Founder and CEO, Cindy Eggleton. “She has a deep passion for Brilliant Detroit’s mission, which reflects her central values of equity, inclusion, and a deep belief in the potential of every child and family.”

Gale brings more than a decade of mission-driven leadership experience, most recently serving as Executive Branch Director of Bethany Christian Services – Southeast Michigan, where she led the strategic expansion of foster care, adoption, and family preservation services across multiple counties. Under her direction, the organization secured new funding, enhanced community partnerships, and strengthened infrastructure for sustainable growth.

Additionally, she has worked as a Psychotherapist, served as Licensing Certification Specialist with the State of Michigan Department of Human Services, and holds dual master’s degrees in counseling, psychology, and human development from Wayne State University, along with a Certificate in Infant Mental health.

Cindy Eggleton, who has helmed the organization since 2016, growing it to serve more than 26,000 children and caregivers across 24 neighborhoods, will move fully to Brilliant Cities, the national umbrella organization launched in September 2024. Brilliant Cities builds on the work of Brilliant Detroit in other cities and is set to launch in Philadelphia later this year. In this role, Eggleton will continue to work alongside Gale and Brilliant Detroit as the organization fully scales through the city and begins to impact citywide early childhood statistics.

Michael R. Tyson, Chair of the Brilliant Detroit Board of Trustees shared his excitement that Gale is “inheriting the reins of an organization that seeks to reject business as usual and strive for transformative change in communities, all with, for, and by our neighbors.”

“Brilliant Detroit has been a dream that we have watched become a reality and it has been the most purposeful work of my life,” added Eggleton.

She and Michael are excited to support as Gale steps into this new role at an organization steadfast in its commitment to continue to grow, develop, and fulfil its mission. Meanwhile, Eggleton and the team at Brilliant Cities are committed to bringing this model, born in Detroit, to other cities.

To learn more about Brilliant Detroit, Brilliant Cities, and its impact, visit brilliantcities.org.

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About Brilliant Cities
Brilliant Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring children ages 0-8 are school-ready, healthy, and supported. They do this by transforming houses into community hubs where children and families have what they need to thrive. For more information, visit brilliantcities.org.
Contact:
Cindy Eggleton, 248.506.1498, [email protected].

Brilliant Detroit Fitzgerald Hub, six years in, stands ready to welcome new families.