An anthropologist and educator, Brinnie has more than three decades of experience in education, including 13 years at Education First, where she brings a unique anthropological lens to a portfolio of work focused on strategic planning, college and career readiness and social and emotional learning. Previously, Brinnie worked as a project manager and consultant to nonprofits supporting initiatives such as small schools, whole-school reform models, multicultural education and museums, diversity in higher education and collaborative school leadership. Brinnie led Education First’s initiative to incubate EdReports.org and to build a roadmap for a national Family Math movement. She also supported the leadership transition for the Washington State Charter School Association, moving from a single CEO to an innovative shared leadership model.
Brinnie holds an MA in International Education from American University, an MA in Anthropology from the University of Texas at Arlington and has credits toward her PhD in Applied Anthropology at Teachers College, Columbia University. A transplant to Seattle, Brinnie loves hiking and kayaking and rows with the Everett Rowing Association where she also serves as President of the Board of Directors. She grew up in Asia and the Middle East, speaks Thai and loves classic jazz, gentle yoga and ballroom dancing.
