Michael Brownrigg was elected in 2009, receiving the most votes in the 2009 election, unusual for a first time candidate. Michael promised to bring financial and business experience to the Council in the midst of one of the greatest economic challenges to the City in memory. Based on his career as a US diplomat, he also promised a civil tone and constructive, open approach to problem solving.
Michael’s background is in both public service – as a diplomat for over a decade serving the country in such places as Syria and Hong Kong – and in the private sector, where for 12 years he was a venture capitalist helping small companies grow in the US and China. Three years ago, Michael and three partners co-founded Total Impact Advisors, a merchant bank aimed at helping companies that do good things – like provide clean water in India, tire recycling in the US, or more productive farming techniques in Rwanda – get the capital and expertise they need to grow. Michael enjoys looking for ways to put finance to work to solve local, national and international problems in sustainable ways.
Michael and his wife Marty have raised their family of four kids in Burlingame. When they chose Burlingame in 1997, they could have lived anywhere on the Peninsula. But they were attracted by Burlingame’s schools, streets, parks, friendliness and ambience, not to mention its convenience to San Francisco, Silicon Valley and SFO. These are the same attributes that attract so many newcomers here and keep those of us who are lucky enough to have found Burlingame, very happy to stay. The goal in the future is to build on our strengths and not to get complacent – things can always get better.