Bryan Schroeder

Background

About Bryan Schroeder

Bryan Schroeder is an award-winning nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience in strategic planning, relationship-driven fundraising, and mission-focused storytelling. Bryan serves as Executive Director of Side by Side Brain Injury Clubhouse, one of the few long-term recovery resources for adults living with brain injury. Founded over 25 years ago by Shepherd Center and Emory Healthcare, Side by Side provides a pathway to community, purpose, and hope for brain injury survivors through a unique purpose driven and work-oriented model of care. Previously, Bryan held senior leadership roles at The Georgia Conservancy and Giving Kitchen, where his visionary leadership helped scale impact and reach. During Bryan’s tenure at Giving Kitchen, the organization: Served more than food service workers in crisis across 37 states Delivered over $12 million in direct financial assistance Prevented over evictions, helping keep families safely housed Grew from 336 clients served annually to over per year Under his leadership, Giving Kitchen received national recognition, including: American Marketing Association AMY Award (2024) Fast Company – Brands That Matter (2022) James Beard Foundation – Humanitarian of the Year (2019) Center for Civic Innovation – Civic Impact Award (2019) Bryan has also been honored individually for his nonprofit leadership, including: 2024 – People, Products and Places That Make Georgia Run, Georgia Business Magazine 2024 – Notable Georgian, Georgia Trend Magazine 2023 – Bill Bolling Nonprofit Leader of the Year, TechBridge 2023 – Bulldog 100, University of Georgia 2022 & 2023 – 100 Most Influential Georgians, Georgia Trend Magazine 2022 & 2023 – Georgia 500, Georgia Trend Magazine 2016 – Alumni Pacesetter Award, Piedmont College 2009 – Congressional Recognition for Community Service, Congressman John Lewis 2006 – Outstanding Student of the Year, UGA School of Social Work A proud native son of Georgia, Bryan has dedicated his career to the state’s vibrant inner-city neighborhoods and rural communities alike. He has led thousands of Georgians on camping and paddling expeditions, produced the first professionally designed trail map of Cumberland Island, and collaborated with Grammy-winning artist Killer Mike on civic infrastructure projects. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Bryan is a James Beard Award winner, a contributor to The Bitter Southerner, and—by family consensus—the best dishwasher in the long and storied history of Schroeder’s New Deli.