Brandi Howard is a macro-level social work practitioner committed to equity and policy and systems change. The Chief of Staff and Interim Vice President of Programs at the San Francisco Foundation, Brandi is a natural systems thinker and equity leader, she provides leadership of their organizational culture and development work to center equity and results at the Foundation. Brandi started her career at the Foundation as the Program Officer for the Koshland Program, a 5-year program that elevates community and civic leadership and supports neighborhood transformation.
Before joining the San Francisco Foundation, Brandi launched Neighborhood Health Action Centers and a city-wide birth equity strategy for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She served on the leadership team for the Center for Health Equity and provided strategic direction for equity integration in programs and services.
Brandi is an Oakland native with a deep commitment to the community. She has served her community as a doula (childbirth coach) for over 15 years, advocate for reproductive rights and consultant to strengthen the nonprofit infrastructure through her company, Beyond the Curve Consulting.
Brandi earned an MSW and BA in African American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. She serves on the board of the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, an organization that centers African American artistic culture and provides classes for youth and adults throughout the Bay Area. Brandi is a lecturer at the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare and an executive coach for new and transitioning executives and Women of Color.
Fun fact: Brandi likes to hike, dance, and read Afrofuturism novels
