Brenda Blasingame
During her professional career, Ms. Blasingame has focused her work on systems change and social change efforts that are working to transform the lives of children, families and communities. In her work she has been highly committed to issues of equity, diversity and community capacity building and thus has earned a reputation as a champion of these issues.
Ms. Blasingame has over twenty years of experience working in the areas of children, youth, families and community engagement on matters of child abuse, substance abuse, homelessness and early childhood development and education. She has worked as an executive (Founding Executive Director Contra Costa County First Five) and senior management level (Director of Programs Thrive by Five Washington) where she has had responsibility for the design, development and implementation of system change efforts and initiatives as well as program design and development. Throughout her career she has shown herself to be a visionary leader with demonstrated ability to define, articulate and guide a group or organization towards a shared vision and plan for collective impact. She has proven abilities as an articulate and persuasive communicator who can reach individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, constituencies, and organizational levels. Ms. Blasingame has a strong political awareness and acumen that is essential for working on highly complex and sensitive issues. She brings to her work a demonstrated ability to generate new ideas, resolve challenges and navigate complex situations.