She founded Path Home (formerly Portland Homeless Family Solutions) at the age of 24. For the past 16 years she has served as its Executive Director, working to make shelter and permanent housing a reality for as many families as possible. As of 2023, Path Home remains one of the only Portland organizations focused exclusively on homeless families, with a staff of over 50, an annual budget of nearly $5 million, more than 3,021 families served, and with an track record of remarkable success among organizations serving the homeless: Eighty-eight percent of Path Home families keep their housing long-term.
Path Home supports homeless families through a multifaceted model focused on prevention, shelter, wrap-around services, and long-term housing stability. Some of Brandi’s accomplishments include:
Brandi spearheaded a campaign to raise $5 million to build Path Home’s Family Village campus. Opened in 2019, the shelter is the first of its kind in Oregon to incorporate trauma-informed design and architecture to help families heal from the trauma of homelessness.
Path Home was awarded a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day One Families Fund for its compassionate and innovative work to help more families move back into housing. The funds will allow Brandi and her team to invest in wrap-around services to help families end their homelessness for good.
Brandi graduated from the University of Florida in 2005 with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy, and a minor in Organizational Leadership for Nonprofits. She was also awarded a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Boston College in 2019. Brandi has served on the boards of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, the National Board of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, and is currently on the board of the American Leadership Forum of Oregon. In her spare time, Brandi enjoys hiking with her dog Sylvie Bear, reading books with her book club, doing yoga and pilates, and exploring the outdoors.
Check Path Home’s website!