Commencement Speaker Brooke Pinto ’07: Find Your Magic

Alumna Brooke Pinto ’07, Ward 2 Councilmember in Washington, DC, returned to the Country Day campus to address the Class of 2025, continuing a time-honored tradition of having a member of the alumni community share their wisdom with graduates.

“It’s an honor to be back on campus today—a place that has meant so much to me throughout my life,” Brooke Pinto ’07 began, addressing the crowd of graduates, families, teachers, and friends in the Donovan Mitchell Athletic Center. She reflected on a painting hanging above her family’s kitchen table on Round Hill Road: “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

“Magic is different for everyone,” she continued. “And I don’t mean a slight of hand or make believe. But to me magic is your own personal ‘Je ne sais quoi’. Magic is believing in yourself. Magic is creating your version of success. And I think, magic is finding your purpose.”

Brooke had been a GCDS lifer, starting before she turned three. “And I remember it!” she told the graduates with a smile. “I remember making makeshift bamboo flutes in Nursery and warm morning hugs from Mrs. Merritt. I remember signing up to be the snack waitress and instead of throwing out the extra saltines, starting a little side business where I sold saltines for two dollars a pop to my classmates to raise money for the homeless in New York City.”

“I remember passing notes with Caroline Melly in Mrs. Caldwell’s class and having Chris Denunzio beat me for the award of most books read.”

“But most of all,” Pinto said, her voice filled with emotion, “I remember a feeling— one I hope you all feel today and felt throughout your time here—this magical feeling that this village of classmates, teachers, custodians, folks who run the cafeteria, the bus drivers, moms and dads, grandparents—and my classmates—had my back and I had theirs.”

That foundation carried her forward. “If believing in magic is the first step, how can you go out and create the magic and find your success?” she asked. “One of the things we all learn while we’re at GCDS is that effort counts. At GCDS, you’re graded on effort.”

“I created the magic at the Attorney General’s office when I asked the Attorney General for a 5-minute meeting to discuss my future. He told me that of the 50 or practiced tax law, managed legislative affairs for an attorney general, worked at landlord tenant court, and for a homeless advocacy organization, and am now a politician!”

“And I draw upon all of these experiences—and I draw upon all of these experiences regularly—they all had their own purpose.”

Brooke introduced the concept that guided her: “There is a Japanese concept called Ikigai which represents what your life’s purpose is. It literally translates to your reason for being.” She explained how it exists at the intersection of four circles: “what you love to do, what the world needs, what you can make money doing, and what you’re good at.”

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Brooke Pinto ’07 serves as Ward 2 Councilmember on the Council of the District of Columbia and chairs the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety. First elected in 2020, she made history as the youngest member ever to serve on the Council and the first woman to represent Ward 2 and was re-elected in November 2024 for another four-year term. Throughout her tenure, she has championed initiatives focused on public safety, small business support,

Downtown revitalization, housing and homelessness solutions, environmental protection, accessible transportation, and empowering women and girls. As Committee Chair, she has prioritized reducing crime and gun violence, addressing domestic violence and hate crimes, and creating opportunities for youth and returning citizens to reduce recidivism. Before her election, Pinto served as Assistant Attorney General for Policy and Legislative Affairs and in the Tax and Finance Section of the DC Office of the Attorney General. Following Greenwich Country Day School, she attended Greenwich Academy, earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, and received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

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