 She completed a BSW at the University of Texas at Austin in 1995, followed by a MSW in 1996 and a PhD in social work at the University of Houston in 2002.Brown has spent her research career as a professor at her alma mater, the University of Houston's Graduate College of Social Work.With research focused on the themes of authentic leadership and wholeheartedness in families, schools, and organizations, she has presented a 2012 TED talk and two 2010 TEDx talks.