Her Story
About Brandi
My journey to becoming Associate Director has been anything but linear, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I started my career with a clear vision of working in public policy to address the socio-economic complexities that Black and Brown people experience, which led me to work at the Office of the Attorney General in Orlando's Consumer Protection Unit. But I've always been someone who follows my passions, so I took a 2-year sabbatical to move to New York and work in luxury fashion as an assistant stylist, which is still something I love and do on the side through personal styling. When I moved back to Miami, I believe God brought me back for a reason - I became a caretaker for my aunt who was diagnosed with cancer, and that experience taught me so much about service and being present for others. That perfectly timed transition led me to my current work in childhood food insecurity, where I've spent the last 8 years. Today, I oversee after-school programs across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, managing 132 sites that feed almost 10,000 kids daily. My most pivotal moment came during COVID when we had to completely reimagine how we served families - we transformed our in-person school programs into grab-and-go services and partnered with restaurants and local government to feed not just kids, but parents and grandparents too. That's when I really got to see us touch the underserved communities I've always wanted to reach. My expertise is really a crossover of food insecurity, nonprofit management, and business operations, shaped by my diverse background and my parents' entrepreneurial careers. I've learned that every experience - whether in law, fashion, or caregiving - has prepared me for this work in ways I couldn't have predicted.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brandi
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received, which someone poured into me recently and really stays with me, is to stay curious. For me, that means always being willing to learn more, because you never know what opportunities might come your way. Don't close yourself off to anything - always be willing to learn, ask questions, and really absorb what others have to give. This advice resonates deeply with me because my own career path has been so varied, from law to fashion to nonprofit work, and each experience taught me something valuable that I use today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this field two important things. First, stay curious - always be willing to learn more, ask questions, and absorb what others have to give, because you never know where it might lead you. Second, remember that a door closes and opens - it does two different things, not just one. If we look at a door that way, we'll always remind ourselves that even when that door closes, eventually it will open, just maybe to a different entrance or a different exit. There's always an opportunity or a lesson there, so teach yourself how not to be afraid to approach any scenario because of what the outcome might be. Just continue to be hopeful of what the result may be next. I've gotten a lot of no's in my career, and sometimes the no can really hit home and cement us from moving forward, but I've learned how to pivot. It's okay if something doesn't work out - there's another plan. You can still make yourself a success.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Florida
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.