Brandon Ernst
Curriculum vitae

Brandon Ernst

Technology founder working on AI policy and digital finance

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Summary

I have built software businesses since 2011: Brand on Fire LLC, a web and digital-strategy agency, and Gaucho Plugins, whose Stripe-based WordPress payment tools serve 10,000+ active users. Before that I worked in USAID’s Asia Bureau and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal. I am now an MBA/MPP dual-degree candidate at the University of Maryland, working on the governance of AI systems and digital payments.

Experience

  1. Brand on Fire LLC — Founder

    Remote

    • Manage 60+ websites for small and midsize enterprises worldwide and build seven WordPress plugins serving 10,000+ active users.
    • Lead digital strategy and web development for clients in the United States, China, Germany, and other markets across technology, services, and infrastructure; translate client priorities into scalable technical roadmaps and develop WordPress ecosystem partnerships.

  2. Freemius — Head of Marketing

    Remote

    • Led a six-person cross-functional team during 30–40% year-over-year growth in revenue and client acquisition; built partner and affiliate programs and negotiated WordPress ecosystem partnerships.
    • Published 17 articles for plugin and theme businesses on pricing, payments regulation (SCA/PSD2), onboarding, and distribution.

  3. SCHORISCH Gruppe — Consultant

    Hamburg, Germany

    • Advised executive leadership on digital outreach to policymakers and waterway-infrastructure decision makers; applied 360-degree virtual reality, drone imagery, and 3D mapping to infrastructure visualization and project monitoring.

  4. U.S. Peace Corps — Volunteer

    Senegal

    • Coordinated community economic development, agriculture, and public health initiatives for a 14-volunteer cohort; designed digital-literacy curricula for local government officials.
    • Organized and led a summer leadership camp, in partnership with other volunteers, for young women focused on professional development and gender equity.

  5. Education First — Head English Teacher

    Ningbo, China

    • Engaged with the sales team, teachers, parents, and students to facilitate group learning activities.
    • Improved a wide array of lesson planning and classroom management resources for other teachers.
    • Facilitated feedback discussions between staff and teachers to improve learning outcomes.

  6. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) — Program Assistant, Asia Bureau

    Washington, DC

    • Supported the Assistant Administrator and Asia Bureau in overseeing $1.2B+ in U.S. humanitarian and development programs across 20+ countries; produced executive briefings and decision memos.
    • Coordinated with the White House, the State Department, Congress, interagency partners, and global development stakeholders; prepared senior leaders for Congressional testimony, speeches, media engagements, and high-level meetings.

Education

  1. University of Maryland

    College Park, MD

    MBA/MPP Candidate (dual degree)

    • Graduate Assistant, School of Public Policy, from Fall 2026.

  2. Dominican University of California

    San Rafael, CA

    B.A., Political Science (International Political Economy); B.A., Business Administration (Management)

    • Graduated cum laude with Honors distinction.
    • President, Leadership Fellows Program.

Fellowships & programs

  1. Institute for International Public Policy (PPIA) — Fellow

    Washington, DC

    • Nationally competitive fellowship preparing students for international careers through exposure to international organizations, intensive language study, and public policy education.
    • 2011 Maryland Leadership Institute, University of Maryland School of Public Policy: seven-week immersion in economics, statistics, policy analysis, and leadership.
    • 2010 Junior Summer Policy Institute, Howard University: seven-week immersion in economics, public policy, and national security, with site visits to 20+ Washington organizations.

  2. Middlebury College Summer Intensive Language Program — Mandarin Chinese (2013, Kathryn Davis Fellow for Peace); German (2025)

    Middlebury, VT

    • Intensive Chinese Language School, 2013, as a Kathryn Davis Fellow for Peace.
    • Intensive German Language School, 2025.

  3. United Nations Intensive Summer Study Program — Participant

    Seton Hall University, NJ

    • Week-long program on the political dynamics of the United Nations, with sessions led by practitioners in multilateral diplomacy.

  4. ESCEM School of Business & Management — Semester study abroad

    Poitiers, France

    • Fully funded by the Institute for International Public Policy; continuation of business studies at the École Supérieure de Commerce et de Management.

Publication

Ernst, B., Sooreea, R., Gokcek, G., & Spain, D. (2014). The economic impacts of United Nations peacekeeping operations: growth versus level effects. International Journal of Public Policy, 10(1/2/3), 100–117. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPP.2014.059564

Lead author; presented at the International Studies Association 54th Annual Convention, 2013.

Languages

  • English — native
  • Spanish — professional working proficiency
  • German — limited working proficiency (Middlebury intensive study, 2025)
  • Mandarin Chinese — elementary proficiency (Middlebury intensive study, 2013)
  • French — elementary proficiency
  • Wolof — elementary proficiency

Also available as a PDF. Last updated August 2026.