Brittany Birken serves as a director and principal adviser on the Atlanta Fed’s Community and Economic Development team. In this role, Birken specializes in the identification of structural barriers and solutions to career advancement for low-income working families. Prior to joining the Atlanta Fed, she was a faculty member at the University of Florida’s College of Education focused on creating educational systems that support student achievement of critical milestones that predict success. She has also served as the director of Florida’s Office of Early Learning and as chief executive of the Florida Children’s Council, the umbrella organization for children’s services councils.

Birken has worked with business leaders and policymakers to develop strategies that support pathways to economic security and improved outcomes for low-income working families with young children. Additionally, she has helped shape community and state policy efforts that support the current workforce and develop a sustainable educational infrastructure for talent development. Birken is a board member of the United Way of Florida, an affiliate of the University of Florida Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, and a member of Leadership Florida. Florida Trend named her one of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Florida 500 Most Influential Leaders. She is a recipient of the Federal Reserve Board's 2023 Janet L. Yellen Award for Excellence in Community Development. She holds a PhD from Florida State University.