Emma Brainerd is a senior program officer for R4D’s global health portfolio. Since joining R4D, Ms. Brainerd has been engaged in health systems strengthening and health financing reform initiatives in countries seeking to improve access to health care. She currently supports activities under the USAID Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator program on strengthening health systems for rehabilitation and mental health services in post-conflict countries.
Ms. Brainerd previously worked at Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, addressing youth development and scholarship programs. Later, she worked as a risk analyst for an international security company and interned with the International Crisis Group in D.C. Ms. Brainerd also served in the Peace Corps as a health teacher in Moldova, where she conducted lessons and campaigns on subjects ranging from communicable disease prevention to nutrition.
Ms. Brainerd holds an MA in International Affairs from American University, where she was a Coverdell Fellow concentrating on global governance, politics, and security. She earned her bachelor’s in International Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is a native speaker of English and speaks conversational Spanish and Romanian.
