Scott Brown

Known as a builder of political bridges with deep expertise in both the public and private sector, Ambassador Scott Brown speaks from more than 30 years of experience as a diplomat, senator, military officer, trade negotiator and bestselling author. As the former Ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa, he is considered an expert on all issues in the Indo-Pacific, including the U.S. relationship with China. In that region and beyond, Ambassador Brown brings high-level insights into the impact of geopolitics on trade and the business climate. He also shares an inspirational personal story of rising out of abuse and troubled beginnings to achieve success against all odds.

Completing his term as Ambassador, Brown returned to his native Massachusetts to briefly serve as the President, CEO and Dean of New England Law/Boston. Prior to his ambassadorship, he was Senator of Massachusetts, elected as a Republican in a 2010 special election to fill the term of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy. During his time in the Senate, Ambassador Brown was considered its most bipartisan member, drawing upon many years of experience as a Republican in Democrat-majority Massachusetts politics. As Senator, Brown was the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He also served as a member of the Veteran’s Committee and the Committee on Small Business. In 2011, he reached the top of the New York Times Best Sellers List with his powerful memoir, Against All Odds: My Life of Hardship, Fast Breaks and Second Chances.

In June 2017, Brown earned overwhelming bipartisan support and was confirmed by a 94-4 vote as the U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa. During his term, Ambassador Brown focused on combatting terrorism, China’s expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing trade opportunities, strengthening the United States’ “Five Eyes” relationship in New Zealand, expanding cooperation in the Antarctic, and human, drug, and child trafficking prevention. He also led the United States Embassy through the Christchurch mosque attack, the White Island volcano eruption, and the repatriation of American citizens during the COVID-19.

Ambassador Brown’s career in public service began as an Assessor and Selectman for the Town of Wrentham, Massachusetts. He served as Massachusetts State Representative for the 9th Norfolk District for seven years and as State Senator for the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District for five. For nearly four decades, Brown served in the enlisted and officer ranks of the Massachusetts and Maryland National Guard. He retired as a Colonel after three years as the Deputy to the Chief Counsel, to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon.

Ambassador Brown’s private sector experience includes working for the Boston law firm Nixon Peabody, LLP, focusing on Mergers and Acquisitions and Governmental Relations. He also served on numerous boards to include the Board of Directors and as an advisor to 1st Alliance Lending, LLP, an organization aimed at helping low-income citizens keep their homes. He is also remembered for his work as a paid contributor and occasional host on FOX and appearances on FOX National News and Fox Business. Brown is also the Chair of the Competitiveness Coalition, a group supporting innovation in the high-tech industry.

A highly engaging speaker known for connecting with audiences through his eclectic life stories, Ambassador Brown is also a competitive triathlete, musician (he played guitar with Hall of Fame Inductees Cheap Trick 6 times) and has his own rock band. Brown is a graduate of Tufts University and Boston College Law School. He is married to Gail Huff Brown, and they have 2 children, Ayla Brown, morning co-host Country 102.5 in Boston and Dr. Arianna Brown Hendry, head veterinarian at Lafayette Animal Hospital in Portsmouth, NH and is the mother of granddaughter Cecilia Gayle.