Brent Peterkin

Executive Director

Brent Peterkin is the first full-time Executive Director of the merged organization. A native of New York City, Brent comes to Gather New Haven after almost six years as Statewide Director for Project Longevity, a nationally recognized program of the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut focused on reducing gun violence in Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven. Project Longevity marshals law enforcement agencies and communities to focus on group and gang gun violence.

Brent has also served on the Governor’s Youth and Urban Violence Commission and the Bridgeport Mayor’s Initiative for Reentry Affairs. He is a board member of EMERGE and CT Against Gun Violence (CAGV). Previously, Brent was also a ZOOM Policy Fellow in the Office of the Governor working in support of the Office of Early Childhood, focusing on parent engagement and fatherhood development. Brent also worked with a Yale University-based global anti-poverty initiative and supported at-risk high school students with emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities in Yonkers, New York. Before public service and work focused on social impact, Brent worked in the natural and organics food industry.

Brent studied public policy and public administration, nonprofit leadership, and social impact strategy at Fordham University, Northwestern University, and the University of Pennsylvania. His commitment to social change has led to his recognition as an honoree of Connecticut Magazine’s 40 Under 40: Class of 2017 and 100 Men of Color 2017 Honoree.

Brent has been practicing a vegan diet for 23 years, drinks copious amounts of organic matcha green tea, fasts regularly, is an avid reader, and enjoys spending quality time with his loved ones.