As a communications officer for Ascend at the Aspen Institute, Brendan advances Ascend’s use of strategic communications through partnership development, digital and social media platforms, as well as media relations to advance policy and practice solutions that improve family economic security.
Prior to joining Ascend in 2021, Brendan worked in the Brand Marketing department at Feeding America and served as a Campaign Manager at the Ad Council. At the Ad Council, Brendan mobilized federal government agencies, nonprofits, corporate partners, ad agencies, and media companies to develop and support national multi-media public-service campaigns. His campaigns addressed urgent public issues such as combatting the opioid epidemic, raising awareness about retirement savings, and educating the public about the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Brendan’s docket focused on working with various federal government agencies on family and community topics like encouraging families to experience nature, educating parents about the right car seat for their child, and recruiting adoptive parents for teens in foster care.
Brendan is based out of his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. He graduated with a BBA in Marketing from Loyola University Chicago, and he currently serves on the Alumni Board for the Department of Marketing in the Quinlan School of Business. Outside of work, Brendan loves swimming, biking, playing board games, exploring with his dog, and watching movies.
