Ruby Brenner joined the Social Science Research Center (SSRC) in September 2023 and currently serves as a Research Associate I with the Systems Change Lab. Her work focuses on early childhood systems research and includes mapping Mississippi’s Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) food systems for a project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and contributing to a study of early childhood education and care systems alignment in Mississippi. She also supports other Systems Change Lab research and project activities as needed.

 Prior to joining the Systems Change Lab, Brenner served as a facilitator for the early childhood Project ECHO program, connecting families and early childhood professionals with health and behavioral specialists through an online learning model. Before joining the SSRC, she spent eight years working in public education in various roles.

Brenner holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a secondary education endorsement in social studies and a Bachelor of Music Education, both from Mississippi State University. She is also completing graduate coursework in public policy and administration at Mississippi State University.