BRITTANY BIRKEN

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL ADVISOR, FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF ATLANTA, TALLAHASSEE

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta serves the Southeast as part of the Federal Reserve System, which works to promote a strong economy by conducting monetary policy, promoting a stable financial system and sound financial institutions, fostering payment system safety and efficiency, and promoting consumer protection and community development. Birken joined the Atlanta Fed nearly five years ago to address barriers to career advancement for low-income working families. She does research, convenes decision makers, and builds networks to inform changes to advance economic mobility and resilience.

EDUCATION: Florida State University (BS, MS, Ph.D.)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: (I would call for) a study to assess the potential for creating a single agency that administers all publicly funded services for children. Currently, many families with young children navigate multiple agencies to support their children’s development.

READING: The Presidents Club, by Michael Duffy and Nancy Gibbs. It is a historical nonfiction book about the relationship between sitting presidents and living ex-presidents. There is much that can be gleaned and learned by studying the interactions of previous leaders as they support or work to frustrate the current leader.