Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, December 31, 1979. Graduated from Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Maryland; Emory University, B.A. (political science, history) (Phi Beta Kappa); Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley, J.D., 2003 (editor, California Law Review; member, Berkeley Technology Law Journal; California Criminal Law Review). Admitted to California Bar; District of Columbia Bar. Attorney. Associate, Litigation Department, Steptoe & Johnson, LLP. Member, American Bar Association, 2003- (young lawyers white collar committee); District of Columbia Bar Association. Board of Directors, Operation Understanding DC, 2004-06. Member, Legal Redress Committee, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Pro Bono Counsel, Sierra Club. Chair, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland. Democratic precinct chair, Precinct 07-01. Member, Rock Creek Palisades Civic Association, Kensington. Champion for Children, Department of Human Resources and Maryland State Bar Association, 2010. Member, Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Married; three children.

Nancy Brighindi, PhD, CAE, began her association management career in the government relations field where she worked for a trade association of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning contractors. Dr. Brighindi has held many different association positions throughout the years. Some of her other work areas include governance and administration, education and training, communications and public relations, membership and chapter development and marketing.

Dr. Brighindi also served as a principle partner in her family’s printing business and she worked as a consultant to osteopathic healthcare groups where she provided membership development support services and assisted in selecting customer management software.

Following these professional endeavors, Dr. Brighindi joined the executive staff of a 501(c)3 professional medical specialty society as the association’s Director of Membership and Chapter Development. She helped start the national association’s State Medical Specialty Society Program and the society’s Government Relations Department where she planned its first Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. She has acted as staff liaison to several different program areas and to volunteer led councils and committees such as Regional Directors, Chapters, Membership, and Member Involvement and Services Action Group. Dr. Brighindi has also served as the CEO of two 501(c)6 nonprofits and held the position of ex-officio Board Member.

Dr. Brighindi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Management with a secondary in Management Studies. She also holds a Master of Business Administration degree. Her doctorate is in the field of Human Services with a specialization in the Management of Nonprofits and her doctoral dissertation centered on Leadership Traits and Motivational Factors of Volunteer Chapter Presidents. Dr. Brighindi earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) where she has been a member for many years. She also retains a membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society – University of Maryland Chapter.