For Marnie Brennan, Progress Starts with Teamwork
Since joining the Primary Care Coalition (PCC) in August 2024 as a Senior Program Coordinator, Marnie Brennan, has brought energy and a strong belief in collaboration to her work with the Population Health team and Nexus Montgomery.
Marnie grew up in Richmond in a family of five where sports were woven into daily life, an experience she credits with helping her develop discipline, resilience, and a willingness to keep going: “My parents were very supportive and encouraged me to test my limits as an athlete and person.” And for her, the importance of teamwork is something she has carried with her for years. As a former lacrosse goalie at Furman University, she learned the importance of communication, trust, and seeing the whole field. In that role, she helped organize the defense, kept teammates aware of what was happening, and spoke up when it mattered most. “I really believe the best solutions come from bringing the right people together, listening closely, and working as a team,” says Marnie.
That same mindset guides her work at PCC. When she sees an opportunity to improve community wellness, her first instinct is to bring people together. She often asks herself who should be connected, who needs to be part of the conversation, and how a group can work through a challenge together to find a solution.
Marnie’s passion for community wellness began during her college years at Furman University, when she majored in public health. Upon graduation, she joined AmeriCorps and served at Knoxville County Community Action Committee (CAC). CAC places full-time AmeriCorps members in service opportunities with a number of partner non-profit, government, academic, and faith-based organizations in Knoxville and surrounding East Tennessee counties. There, she gained meaningful experience working directly with community members, especially older adults. Those interactions helped shape her understanding of what makes communities strong: people supporting one another, staying connected, and working toward a shared goal. “It’s important to me to know that the work I’m doing is helping other people in a real way,” says Marnie. “That sense of purpose is what keeps me connected to the work and reminds me why community wellness matters.”
Her interest continued to grow, eventually leading her to George Washington University, where she earned a degree in Community Oriented Primary Care. Not long after, she found her way to PCC, where she has been contributing her skills, drive, and team-first approach ever since.
In her current role as Program Manager in the Population Health team, Marnie gets to channel her passion for helping others with her considerable skill and talents in working as a team to improve Nexus Montgomery’s community impact. Nexus Montgomery is a partnership among the six hospitals in Montgomery County that connects people with resources in the community. “I get excited when I see an opportunity to improve healthcare access and delivery, and I can bring the right resources together to make it happen. It doesn’t exactly translate to making a game-saving stop in the goal, but it comes close,” Marnie says, with a laugh.
Outside of work, Marnie brings that same thoughtful spirit to her creative life. She enjoys crocheting and embroidery, often making pieces with someone else in mind. “I love having something creative in my life that lets me slow down and make something with intention,” she explains. And, though Richmond is home, she considers herself very much connected to the DMV—including her support of the Washington Commanders.
Whether she is connecting colleagues, supporting community wellness, or creating handmade gifts for others, Marnie brings a genuine sense of care to everything she does. For PCC, that spirit of teamwork is helping move important work forward.