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Staff Spotlight: Meet Elizabeth Brown, The Quiet Force Behind AcademySTAY’s Heart and Operations

Updated: Jun 27


Woman in purple dress holding a laughing boy in a white jacket. Greenery in the background, sunlit and joyful mood.

At first glance, Elizabeth Brown’s role at AcademySTAY looks like operations. But anyone who’s met her knows - it’s full-hearted caregiving.


As our Operations Manager, Elizabeth doesn’t just coordinate supplies, fix maintenance issues, or manage schedules. She’s also a mentor, a listener, a safe space, and, as she puts it, “a full-time mom to 20 kids.”


“I’ve worked jobs that paid more,” she says, “but none where I could go to bed knowing I was making a difference.” That difference shows up in everyday moments. Like when students seek her out late at night to talk through a crisis or celebrate a win. “Even when I’m exhausted, they remind me why I do this.”


Before joining AcademySTAY, Elizabeth spent years in sales - waking up dreading her day, going to sleep with the same weight. But stepping into this role marked a turning point: “Now, my son gets to see the impact I’m making. He gets to be part of this community too.”


The job isn’t small. It demands constant presence, emotional labor, and logistical dexterity. But it’s a role Elizabeth was uniquely shaped for.


She was raised in the midst of chaos and danger, navigating abuse, addiction, instability, and homelessness. Elizabeth knows what it means to survive without a safety net. She’s lived the cycles our students are trying to break. And she’s proof that it’s possible.


Her path hasn’t been linear. But in her words: “At 27, I chose to break every generational cycle. I got full custody of my son, got this job, and started building the kind of life I never saw growing up.”


The moment that sealed it for her? Prom night.

“There were hiccups, like always. But then...my son grabs the mic, declares himself prom king, and everyone just erupts with joy. Karaoke, laughter, love. It felt like a big, loud, beautiful family. That’s what I always wanted. That’s what we’re building here.”


At AcademySTAY, Elizabeth isn’t just holding keys or keeping lights on. She’s modeling what healing leadership looks like for her son, our students, and every visitor who steps inside.


She shows us what it means to stay.


Update Note: This blog was revised on June 27, 2025 to include new insights from Elizabeth's recent interview - SG

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