Independent government relations professional Brunilda A. Cleveland has built a diverse and impactful career committed to public service and community engagement. For more than 15 years, she has been a contractor with Career Management Services (CMS) and is a trusted associate analyst.
Moreover, in addition to her work with CMS, Ms. Cleveland was a dedicated veterans service representative at the San Diego County Veterans Service Office, where she provided essential direct support and advocacy, drawing on her personal connection to military life through her late husband’s service in the U.S. Navy. Her work was characterized by empathy and a deep understanding of the unique challenges veterans and their families face. In tandem with her professional endeavors, Ms. Cleveland has exercised her civic passion as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the San Diego County Veterans Service Office.
Earlier in her career, applying her appreciation for history and education, Ms. Cleveland was a curatorial assistant at California State University Monterey Bay, contributing to the preservation and presentation of cultural artifacts. Concurrently, she worked as a translator at Natividad Medical Center, facilitating communication between medical staff and patients and ensuring that language barriers did not impede access to care.
Ms. Cleveland’s eclectic experience also includes working as a public relations specialist for the San Diego Police Department, for which she managed communications and fostered transparency and trust within the community. Prior to this, she was a Spanish tutor at San Diego Miramar College, where she supported students and promoted cross-cultural understanding. Her earlier roles as a civil servant and treasurer at San Diego Miramar College were foundational experiences that provided Ms. Cleveland with invaluable insights into organizational operations and financial stewardship.
Academically, Ms. Cleveland earned a Bachelor of Arts in world language and culture from California State University Monterey Bay. Her education has been instrumental in shaping her worldview and enhancing her ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She attributes her scholastic and career success to her tenacity, belief in herself, and pursuing her aspirations—qualities inspired by both her late husband’s distinguished naval career and examples set by her father, who was a successful lawyer forced to leave Switzerland after World War II. These powerful influences instilled in Ms. Cleveland a profound sense of resilience and determination.
Born in the capital city of Santiago, Chile, Ms. Cleveland takes pride in her origins and in her hard work, building a successful life in the United States. She values integrity above all else and hopes to be known as a good person who follows society’s rules without harming others. She believes that true fulfillment comes from living honorably and earning the respect of those around you, rather than from grand achievements alone. The mother of two children, a son who is a geophysicist and a daughter who is a lawyer, Ms. Cleveland’s own interests include reading and traveling, pursuits that reflect her curiosity about the world and dedication to lifelong learning.
Moving forward, Ms. Cleveland will continue to help veterans—a field in which she feels most effective and can honor her decades of experience living alongside members of the armed forces. To date, her career has been defined by humility, compassion, and a genuine love and commitment to serving people.