Brendan serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff at SAM, where he leads the organization’s external engagement initiatives, including strategic partnerships, national speaking engagements, and educational programming. He oversees the planning and execution of SAM’s conferences, trainings, and public events while working closely with researchers, clinicians, advocates, and community leaders to advance evidence-based drug policy and public education.
Prior to joining SAM, Brendan served as Executive Director of Next Chapter, LLC, an organization founded by former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy. In that role, he developed national speaking engagements, strategic partnerships, and consulting opportunities focused on behavioral health and addiction policy.
Before entering the behavioral health field, Brendan spent a decade in professional baseball, serving in executive leadership positions with the Somerset Patriots and Atlantic City Surf. As Vice President and later General Manager, he led business development, marketing, sponsorship, and community engagement efforts, helping to grow organizational partnerships and strengthen relationships throughout the communities his teams served.