The National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) is proud to announce the appointment of Cristin Brawner as its new Executive Director. Brawner brings over 15 years of experience in civic engagement, nonprofit leadership, and deliberative democracy to the role, along with a deep and personal connection to NIFI’s mission.

Brawner’s passion for deliberative democracy was sparked during her college internship with the David Mathews Center for Civic Life, when she participated in her first National Issues Forum on immigration. “That conversation changed the trajectory of my life,” Brawner recalls. “Seeing people from different backgrounds come together to discuss tough issues with respect and empathy showed me the power of civic dialogue.”

Since that formative experience, Brawner has dedicated her career to strengthening civic life. At the Mathews Center, she rose from intern to Executive Director, expanding its programming across all 67 counties in Alabama. She launched the Civic Institute, developed innovative youth civic education programs, co-authored the Alabama Civic Health Index, and built strategic partnerships across the state. Under her leadership, the organization significantly grew its staff, budget, and operational capacity while fostering a collaborative and mission-driven workplace culture.

“Cristin has the ideal talents to lead the National Issues Forums Institute in its mission to serve the public through practices that strengthen democracy,” said Betty Knighton, former NIFI president and Executive Director of the West Virginia Center for Civic Life. “Cristin is inspiring, collegial, and visionary. Her belief in the power of public deliberation to improve lives is based on years of experience in doing just that. Across the country, she has helped countless others embed democratic decision-making into the fabric of campus and community life. I’m excited for her and for all who have the opportunity to connect with her work moving forward. With Cristin at the helm, the future of National Issues Forums is bright!”

Dr. Mark Wilson, Director of the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Auburn University, also shared his support:

“Cristin Brawner is a perfect choice to lead NIFI into its next chapter of work. As executive director of the David Mathews Center for Civic Life in Alabama, she worked diligently with community members around the state to develop the infrastructure and habits of deliberation and civic engagement, and now the national network and new partners will benefit from her commitment to that valuable work. Cristin is collaborative to her core, and the future for NIFI is bright!”

Dr. Robert Richards, Associate Professor of Communication and Director of the Open Governance Lab at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, added:

“I’m delighted to endorse Cristin Brawner as the new Executive Director of the National Issues Forums Institute! I believe Cristin will be an inspiring, inclusive, and innovative leader of the Institute. I’ve had the privilege of working with Cristin for several years, at the Kettering Foundation, then at the Southern Deliberative Democracy Network which she founded and leads, and most recently as a co-presenter of our research comparing results of civic health index studies across southern states. Cristin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an expert practitioner of public deliberation, as an effective and inclusive leader of public engagement organizations, and as trusted advisor to dialogue and deliberation professionals and organizations across the nation. In my experience, Cristin is committed to enhancing the inclusivity of public-engagement efforts by making concerted outreach efforts to young adults and diverse communities. I’m excited to continue working with Cristin and the Institute to increase the availability, inclusivity, and relevance of public deliberation in the coming years. Welcome, Cristin!”

Brawner’s commitment to the practice and promotion of deliberative democracy runs deep. She has moderated hundreds of public forums using NIFI’s issue guides, founded the Southern Deliberative Democracy Network, and led efforts to measure and communicate the impact of civic engagement initiatives. Her vision for NIFI includes expanding new initiatives, deepening national and regional partnerships, and strengthening the internal infrastructure needed to support sustainable programmatic growth.

“Cristin enriches every project and interactive session with her warm personality, careful listening, insight, and skilled organization,” said Gregg Kaufman, a pastor, former NIFI board member, and veteran deliberation practitioner. “She is a joyful, intellectually curious colleague.”

“Cristin’s combination of strategic leadership, operational expertise, and heartfelt dedication to our mission makes her the ideal person to lead NIFI into its next chapter,” said Dr. Kara Dillard, Executive Director of the Madison Center for Civic Engagement at James Madison University and Chair of the NIFI Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the role and look forward to the impact she will have.”

Brawner steps into the role with a clear focus on honoring NIFI’s legacy while leading innovation in civic engagement. “NIFI has a rich history and a vital mission,” she said. “It’s my honor to serve this organization and its remarkable network as we work together to support a more deliberative and participatory democracy.”