Austin Brown

About Austin Brown

I am a People-First HR and Culture Leader dedicated to aligning people strategies with mission-driven work in the zoo and aquarium profession. My passion lies in creating clarity, building strong workplace cultures, and modernizing HR practices to better support employees and the organizations they serve.With a deep understanding of how HR influences both organizational success and employee experience, I focus on strategic leadership while ensuring practical execution. Whether it’s designing talent strategies, enhancing workforce engagement, or implementing people-centric policies, my goal is to make HR a catalyst for positive change.I believe that the best HR functions are built on collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership. A decision made anywhere in the organization isn’t “theirs” or “mine”—it’s ours, and success is always a collective achievement. By fostering a culture of we over me, I help teams thrive, stay connected to their mission, and drive meaningful impact.I am always learning, evolving, and looking for ways to push HR and People & Culture work forward in meaningful and modern ways. Let’s connect!

Experience

1. Vice President, People and Culture

   Mystic Aquarium

   Jun 2025 — Present

Education

• College of Charleston

  Bachelors of Science, Business Administration and Hospitality

Skills

• Communication
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Social Media
• Management
• Human Resources
• Leadership
• Nonprofits
• Talent Management
• Microsoft Word
• Non-Profits
• Microsoft Office
• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Volunteer Management
• Teamwork
• First Aid
• Environmental Education
• Public Speaking
• Teaching
• Time Management
• Community Outreach
• Public Relations
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Volunteer Training
• Museum Education
• Event Planning