Details

First Name

Brandi

Last Name

Peterson

Pronouns

she/her

Name Pronunciation

BRAN-dee p EE – t er – s un

Nickname

Brandi

City and State

Portland, Oregon

Journey

I'm here because

I grew up in a small, religious community and was unaware of many educational opportunities available after high school. Learning and education were often seen as something to fear because I would learn things that didn’t align with the narrow worldview of my community. At the same time, my parents were inquisitive people that taught my brother and me to always be curious and question everything. Growing up with this cognitive dissonance eventually led me out of my small community and into the unknown of college, the Peace Corps in Nepal, teaching English in Thailand, and eventually graduate school in New York. In these new environments, I was allowed and even encouraged to be curious and question systems that were harmful and built from a fear-based mindset. I felt like I had finally found a space where I could embrace curiosity instead of always being in trouble for asking too many questions.

I am so excited to be part of the Portico community because I believe as adults we have a responsibility to create spaces where students can learn, grow, and show up as their whole selves. Many of our historical education systems are set up in ways that stifle natural human learning and curiosity, but leaders in Portico are disrupting these systems and no longer accepting the status quo. They are creating spaces for students to thrive not just academically but as critical thinkers, caring community members, and people who are innovative and ready for their futures…whatever those futures may be.

Leaders in the Portico community understand that this is a moment in time when it is clear that old structures and systems are no longer serving our communities and have been harming students of color and LGBTQ students since the beginning. As the Director of Portico, I get to work with a team of folks who are passionate and committed to this work and are ready to do whatever it takes to support leaders as they create spaces where students thrive! That’s why I’m here and truly believe we can build a better future for our students.

I got here through

Curiosity has been and still is my top Life Ready skill. I constantly want to know more about the people I meet and the world around me. As a serious introvert, this skill has constantly gotten me to venture out of the comfortable environments I love. My growth both personally and professionally has come from not being able to resist finding out more about the why in each new situation I encounter.

My hope for this community

My greatest hope for leaders in the Portico community is that they feel empowered to advocate and stand alongside students and families to ensure that education is a relevant and joyful experience for every student. I hope that the feeling of empowerment comes from having a coach who knows what it is like to be their role, through the relationships they build with leaders in their Counterpart groups, and that they have the resources and tools they need to do this transformative work with their school communities.

I can support you with

I am here and ready to be supportive however is needed for our school leaders, their coaches, and the Portico staff so we can all focus on what is most important…our students!

My story

I came to Inflexion in 2010 after moving back to Oregon from New York City. There, I facilitated customized partnerships between New York City business leaders and principals to inspire innovation in public schools. I originally moved to NYC to earn my master’s degree in nonprofit management at The New School—Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy after teaching English in Thailand and doing youth development work in the Peace Corps in Nepal.

Contact Information