Briona joined the Development and Management teams at Common Ground this fall, as the Director of Development & Communications. So far, she has already adventured into West Rock Park with students and staff from the high school TWICE! (Second photo below.) Recently, Briona sat down with After School Media Club facilitator, Amanda Byam, and club members Leila, Terrell, and Kayden T. for an interview to share her personal and professional experiences at CG.
What’s your job at Common Ground?
I am the Director of Development and Communications. I manage fundraising, marketing, social media and Common Ground’s website.
What are your previous work experiences? What made CG a good next step for you?
I have over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and over ten years of fundraising and marketing experience. I majored in social work and started out working as a direct client supporter, then, became a case manager and eventually found my way to fundraising. I have worked with organizations focused on working with adults and children with developmental differences, individuals and families who were unhoused and then did permanent supportive services at an affordable housing site in CT and then also when I moved to Austin, TX in 2016. I worked at the United Way in Austin where we were focused on ending poverty by taking a two-generational approach of helping get low income children into pre-school and connecting their caregivers with resources. I also worked at OutYouth, who offered therapy and support groups for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families. Additionally, I worked at a tech company creating software for progressive candidates. Eventually, during the pandemic, I started my own consulting business – helping clients with marketing, fundraising, and social justice work. Before officially moving back to CT in 2024, I held roles at Austin Justice Coalition, Wesleyan University (a quick six months back in CT in 2023) and Mainspring Schools. Upon my return to CT, I worked at Long Wharf Theatre and then I started at CG this September. Along with these jobs, I have and host a podcast that I started in 2019, and I have also sat on several nonprofit boards.
CG was the next step for me because I love everything we do here. Education. Leadership. Farming. Environmental Investment. I am so happy to be back home in CT and helping to do impactful work. After helping raise the most money ever, in one of my previous roles, for an event I ran during my second year working there – this development role at CG seemed like a great next step.
What part of CG made you come here? What motivates you to work here ?
Everything in my life has always been an overlap with me and the enviorment. I grew up in Hamden and was always out in the community. My parents taught me about gardening. As a person who grew up here and was able to be outside everyday, exploring all the beauty of CT, and then being able to go and explore the beauty of the world (I travel a lot), I know how important it is to care for the environment. The investment in something bigger than us is what made me come here. Yes, in the environment, but also in the next generation.
I am motivated to work here because our school looks like our community. The diversity. The joy. The love of being outside. The connection to others. Seeing the work happening at CG also motivates me – the teachers love what they do and the kids that come to the farmhouse for our Children’s Programs are always so exciting to hear.
I am motivated by the fact that the students are eager to interact with others and the teachers are excited to prepare the next generation for whatever they want to do.
What makes you want to work in an environment with young people/young adults?
I think young people are some of the smartest and most driven people. Being able to work with them is such a gift. I am a deep believer in sharing stories and that we become better when we listen to someone else’s stories. Although I am now 35 – by the time I was 16, I already had such a deep story of resilience and had so many great life experiences by then. So I know a lot happens in the early parts of our lives and being able to be a part of someone else’s story is an honor and privilege.
What’s your approach to working with young people?
A lot of my approach comes from my personal experience. Having a support system like I did growing up, I want to help people like how I was helped. I believe the youth know what they’re talking about and that young people can change things. I want to be a supporter of that.
I also believe that respect is at the basis of everything. I have worked with children as young as one year olds up to high schoolers and I think, as long as you have a baseline of respect, you can do so much. When working with high schoolers, I always work towards building trust and I know that comes with time and with gaining respect. I want to be someone that they feel comfortable coming to with questions, big and small, and letting them know that there is no such thing as a “dumb” question and that it’s okay to make mistakes and ask for help/guidance.
What’s your approach to development and fundraising?
My approach is that everyone is a fundraiser. I think that you can make an impact no matter who you are. When working with donors, I do not care if they give us $5 or $5,000 – everyone is important and I want them to know that their contribution and support does not go unnoticed. I am a deep believer that everyone is wealthy – whether that is socially or financially. For example, I may have a person who loves CG but would never be able to write us a $10,000 check, but I know that person has a community and if they can invite folks to a gathering or event where they want to raise money for us, we can reach that goal – whether it’s 10 friends giving $1,000 each or 50 friends giving $200.
At some point, I was also one of the first black fundraisers that I had seen besides my mentor. I learned that people want to help but don’t necessarily know how and that it’s important to give people options. This taught me that I could include and connect others to fundraising so they are also more aware.
What life experiences made you want to work in development?
My family, being involved with non profits, and the fact that I love to talk made me want to pursue this. I come from a social justice family and started participating in marching when I was five. I was taught my whole life to take up space, especially as a Black woman, and to be unapologetic. And I was also taught to stand up for others. There is a story telling aspect of fundraising and everyone has a story, that’s how we connect.
Story telling leads to connection and I believe that people want to help but may not know how, so it’s a joy whenever I get to be that connecting piece.
Also, hosting that first fundraiser is part of why I want to work in development. I was working at an organization that was doing affordable housing that did an annual walk to end homelessness and I was put in charge of the event. I went out and told the community about the event and the work we were doing. That was the year we raised the most money we had ever raised.
How does your job relate to students?
Our students are a direct result of what we do here. It’s my job to collect and share stories and then share it with the community and bring in people who want to support us. I would love to connect directly with the students here so they can tell their own stories, those are the stories I want to capture.
What’s one change you’d like to see at CG, and why?
I want to see more students participating in our marketing and fundraising. They are the greatest resource we have and I want them to feel just as much ownership in seeing CG succeed.
Photo by Gammy Moses.
How long have you been working here? What are any goals you have completed while working here, or goals you have for this role?
I just started on September 2, 2025 so it’s been almost two months. My biggest goal has been to make sure I am not tied to my desk. I want to connect with the high school, the community + children’s programs, and the farm team – and I have. I joined the Outdoor Leadership group for their first hike and also joined the All School Hike, and it’s been a nice way to connect.
What does the daily marketing grind look like?
It’s different every day. Especially since CG has those three different sectors – the school, community programs, and the farm. Right now, it’s a lot of organizing. But it will soon be a well-oiled machine. My goal is to be prepared. For example, the lowest part of fundraising is when you go in for a big ask and someone says no – so you always need back up.
Would your younger self see you working here?
Yes, younger me wouldn’t be surprised to see me in a space where I can help the next generation. So many people invested in me when I was younger so it’s only right that I am paying it forward.
Who would you thank the most for your accomplishments thus far?
I would thank my family and friends, my mentors, and the three bosses that gave me a chance when I was just starting out.
What do you want students and families to know about you as a person?
I am open, I’m here to help, to listen, to be a thought partner, to be a supporter, and to be a resource. I’m also a team player – the bigger the idea, the better! Please share your ideas!
Photos by Kaydin W., Kayden T., and Terrell.
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