Bio

Sean Brennan-Founder/Executive Director

Sean Brennan is the founder and executive director of the Brain Food Garden Project (BFGP). As a social entrepreneur, Sean embraces the rapidly growing field of therapeutic medical research and practices known as the “food as medicine” movement. He launched BFGP to raise awareness about the holistic benefits of food on psychological and physical health.

Prior to starting BFGP, Sean founded MSB Creative Restaurant Consulting and managed operations for several successful restaurant and hotel brands in New York City. A fourth-generation restaurateur, Sean began his career as a host in his family's restaurant at the tender age of three. He has performed virtually every role in a restaurant imaginable, proudly continuing his family’s tradition of serving amazing food and providing gracious service.

Sean’s life changed in 2010 when he was diagnosed with clinical depression and later rediagnosed with bipolar disorder. Unable to continue in his profession, he embarked on a path of healing that led him to create BFGP. In 2016, Sean graduated from The Howie T. Harp Advocacy Center (HTH) and became a mental health peer advocate. He has also studied urban farming and food justice at Farm School NYC.

Sean is in demand as a guest lecturer and classroom facilitator, speaking about food, mental health, and the benefits of the peer approach. He has addressed psychiatric fellows at Columbia University, New York State congressional leadership, InUnity Alliance workshop attendees, and trainees at HTH.

He has been featured on Spectrum News NY1 as "Person of the Week," received a Community Partnership Award for BFGP by Baltic Street Wellness Solutions, and was recently nominated for the first-ever New York City mayor’s award for “Leading the Charge” at the 2024 Peer Support Workers breakfast.

Sean has nearly completed his first book, The Compassionate Path: Navigating Mental Health Peer Advocacy and Nonprofit Development, which will be published by Amazon Pro in Spring 2025.