Briana Taylor was vacationing in Thailand for Christmas in 2004 when the tsunami struck with lethal force. Trapped on the island, she and her family watched the devastating aftereffects unfold. Once Briana made it home, she repacked her bags and returned to Thailand only six weeks later to do disaster recovery work. Then Katrina hit in 2005, and Briana joined the American Red Cross as an event-based volunteer. “I thought, Briana, you need to do something to help... and that was the beginning of my work with the Red Cross.” She’s been a part of the organization ever since.
Briana is a member of the Bay Area Chapter Board of Directors and oversees the San Francisco Bay Area Leadership Councils, which help develop partnerships in the community. She serves as a member of the Pacific Division External Relations team and has taught many seminars on Government Operations and Community Relations. She has served in various leadership roles over the years and deployed to 20+ disasters around the country. In 2019, Briana was recognized with the Clara Barton Award, the highest award the organization presents to volunteers, and in 2023 Briana received the Humanitarian Volunteer of the Year Award at the regional Red Cross Gala.
“The Red Cross is not just some organization. We show up where we are needed, with water, a meal, a toothbrush, a blanket, a friend, and a hug. That is our power.” says Briana. “Disasters are the great equalizer — we provide a safe place for our neighbors to stay, and we give them hope in their darkest time. What we do means something. I feel honored to be able to do that.”
Briana refers to herself as a “semi-retired psychologist.” She has run a parenting program for years, offering workshops for parents and collaborating in the community to build a network of trusted professionals for the workshop participants to access on an ongoing basis. She brings a thorough line of relationship building and connection into her work with the Red Cross, too.
“The Red Cross is not an organization, it’s the people,” says Briana. This includes not just her fellow volunteers, but her Tiffany Circle sisters. “Without the support of our donors, specifically my Tiffany Circle sisters, the Red Cross cannot do this impactful work. I am proud to be part of this community of compassionate women leaders working to make a difference!”
Thank you for your service, Briana.