Brittany Birken
Principal Adviser, Community and Economic Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Tallahassee
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is one of 12 district banks that make up the central banking system of the United States, called the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve System works to promote a strong U.S. economy. Birken joined the Atlanta Fed more than a year ago to address barriers to career advancement for low-income working families. She researches, convenes decision makers and builds networks to test and foster change to enable greater economic mobility and resilience.
| EDUCATION | Florida State University (BS), Florida State University (MS, Ph.D.) |
| Professional Evolution | I was set to have a long career dedicated to child development. However, a pivotal discussion with a parent profoundly shaped my future work and focus. A mother called me and shared that she had been offered a 10 cent an hour raise and if she took it, she would lose access to child care subsidy for her two young children. The loss of the subsidy was far greater than the money she would earn from the raise. I would later come to know this is a benefits cliff. I broadened my professional focus to work on barriers to economic stability for families with young children. |
| FLORIDA LOVE | The beaches, our waters and nature preserves |