Please join us in welcoming Brandy Carvalho as Nassau County’s first Director of Strategic Advancement. Brandy brings with her over 20 years of experience in successful business development, operations and fundraising initiatives.
As the Director of Strategic Advancement, Brandy will serve as a community engagement director to lead Nassau County’s efforts in increasing public engagement, enhancing civic engagement and improving transparency as a means of creating a more effective, efficient and inclusive government. She will also lead efforts to support the annual budget by reducing the demand on ad valorem dollars to execute special projects, programs and initiatives through alternative revenue generation such as fundraising, capital campaigns, grants, partnerships and other non-traditional methods.
Brandy will lead the new Department of Strategic Advancement which includes the Public Information Division designed to provide timely and accurate information about projects and initiatives of the Board of County Commissioners, as well as the Economic Resources Division which serves as a unifying force between the County and various agencies engaged in creating and sustaining a healthy economic ecosystem. She will also work closely with the Directors of the Nassau County Public Library System, the County Extension Office, and Nassau County Animal Care & Control, to ensure that activities are consistent with the County’s strategic plan and to facilitate efforts to further the departments’ mission in providing programs and services to the community.
Brandy’s work history includes 2 years as the Director of the Nassau Humane Society, 2 years as the Development Manager & Director of Education for the Museum of Science and History, and 11 years in various roles at White Oak Conservation including her most recent position as the Director of Development & Advancement. These positions have granted her an opportunity to build relationships throughout the County and allowed her to oversee capital and fundraising campaigns, including a successful $2 million capital campaign to fund a new shelter for the Humane Society.
Brandy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Florida; a Master of Public Administration Degree from Florida Gulf Coast University; and a Master of Natural Resources Degree from Utah State University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and has completed Nonprofit Executive Leadership Training from Harvard Kennedy School and Human Resources Management from the American Management Association. Brandy has also served her community through various Boards and Committees including the Nassau County Education Foundation, the Nassau Racial Equity Coalition; Keep Nassau Beautiful, and as a former member the County’s Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Committee, among others.
County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “As a life-long resident of Nassau County, Brandy has witnessed the growth of Nassau County and has firsthand knowledge of issues facing the community. Her unique combination of skills in management, fundraising, volunteerism, and community relations made her a perfect candidate for this position. I look forward to working closely with her on projects and initiatives that increase transparency and encourage engagement between the County and its residents.”
Brandy expressed her enthusiasm about coming to work for the County. She stated, “I am beyond excited to be in this new role, working with a rock star team. Having grown up in Nassau County, I share the vision of our residents of a prosperous, resilient and sustainable community. Through partnerships, philanthropy, and community engagement, the the Division of Strategic Advancement Department is committed to realizing that vision.”