BRITTANY BIRKEN

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

Birken joined the Atlanta Fed nearly six years ago to address barriers to career advancement for low-income working families. 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. “I help lead a team that researches barriers to economic mobility for families with young children,” Birken says. “Specific work on benefits cliffs is what led me to the Atlanta Fed.”

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

FIRST JOB: I worked for my father’s commercial mortgage corporation after school and in the summers.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I’ve often mused that I would very much enjoy owning a bookstore.

HOBBY: My absolute favorite days are those spent on the golf course with my husband and son. Golf has worked its way into nearly every family holiday tradition we have. Not because I am a good golfer — I am not. But because it is cherished time fully unplugged from the noise of the world that we can peacefully be together and enjoy one another.

INDUSTRY TREND: There is growing awareness of benefits cliffs and work to develop solutions. Numerous community and state government leaders, nonprofits and employers are working on mitigation strategies because they recognize the economic opportunities that are possible for workers, families and the broader economy.