Patty Branco has been a social justice advocate for over 20 years. Drawing upon her lived experiences as an Afro-Latina immigrant, her work is informed by an anti-oppression and intersectional lens. She has extensive experience in the gender-based violence movement, leading capacity building efforts with an emphasis on the intersection of violence and racial equity, as well as providing consultation to a broad-based constituency of anti-violence advocates and service providers. Patty has also engaged in resource development, having edited, authored, or co-authored various publications, including peer-reviewed papers, fact sheets, blog posts, and training tools, on a wide range of subjects and issues as they relate to domestic violence and sexual assault. Her background includes anti-violence work in Brazil at the intersections of anti-Blackness, poverty, and police brutality. Following the wisdom of Black feminists such as Audre Lorde, Patty is passionate about practices that promote wellness and survivor-centered workplaces for advocates and activists as tools of resistance and social change. She is committed to applying her skills to support organizations and leaders in creating more equitable, human-centered, and joyous workplaces.

She has a Master’s in Community Psychology and Social Change from Pennsylvania State University and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of North Carolina. Her favorite titles, however, are Tia and Godmother.