Brianna’s nucleus was her collection of communities, whom she showed up for and cared deeply about. She lived out her values and love through her work in the community and her career. She worked for many years at the University of Denver’s Living and Learning Communities before moving to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Brianna was incredibly devoted to both bettering the University of Denver community and mentoring her students. She approached each interaction with her empathetic knack for anticipating exactly what each student needed, effortlessly embodying the roles of advisor, mentor, and friend simultaneously. Most recently, she worked for Lotus Engineering and Sustainability, a sustainability consulting firm where she worked with organizations and governments around the country to maximize their sustainability impact.

Beyond her professional career, Brianna spent countless hours volunteering for various organizations including: Yoga for the People, Denver Food Rescue, Equity Labs, Rocky Mountain Mutual Aid Network, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Colorado, and The Climate Reality Project. Brianna committed herself wholeheartedly to the people and communities of Colorado, and her profound impact will continue to be felt across every life and organization she touched.

Brianna found joy in teaching yoga, gardening, traveling, animals, and skiing Colorado's mountains, which she learned how to do at a young age, thanks to the homemade skis her mother, Karen, built for her at age two. Brianna loved food and would never say no to cheese, whether trying a new variety or returning to an old favorite (of which she had many). She has had countless adventures around the world, from her trips with her mother, Karen, to accompany her to conferences abroad, to studying in her beloved Ecuador during college, honeymooning in Spain with her husband, Carlos, and numerous other adventures with friends or on her own (solo trip to Australia to scuba dive). Brianna loved to try new things (and foods), and travel was one of her favorite ways to do that.

Over the last ten years, Brianna has greatly grown in her yoga practice, from student to teacher. During COVID, she started a weekly Yoga with Brianna session that welcomed students from around the country to gather on Wednesday mornings for an hour of togetherness during an extraordinarily lonely time. Brianna was also passionately helping to build Yoga for the People, a grassroots, volunteer-run nonprofit that connects community partners with volunteer yoga teachers.

Brianna had the most joyful and infectious laugh, one that was heard often due to her love of silliness and having fun. Whether it was shaking it on the dance floor (from Taylor Swift to Dua Lipa), perfectly personifying a sneezy murder mystery character, or descending randomly into full-fledged conversations in different accents, Brianna took the task of having a blast very seriously. Since meeting her husband Carlos, one of her favorite pastimes has been Carlos Karaoke, where Carlos would break out his acoustic guitar (ideally around a fire pit) and guide the group through different songs.

Brianna met Carlos virtually the day after Thanksgiving during COVID and were inseparable ever since. Carlos was living in Chicago at the time, but had just gotten a new job in Colorado. Their relationship blossomed through weekly virtual dates where they would cook together, watch movies, and Carlos would put on a concert for Brianna. Carlos and Brianna would finally met in person on New Year's Eve, when Brianna surprised Carlos by showing up a day early to ring in the New Year together. Two months later Carlos moved to Colorado and his love for Brianna grew every day. In 2022 Brianna and Carlos moved into a house in Westminster and built a life together. A year later Brianna and Carlos rescued Daisy, a long-haired dachshund. At first Daisy was timid and shy, but over time would grow into a rambunctious and cuddly pup. That same year, Carlos would surprise Brianna in their home and propose. They married each other on October 13, 2024, both having the most perfect day. Their honeymoon would take them to Barcelona, San Sebastian, and Lisbon where Brianna did what she loved the most, explore, eat, and get lost in new cities. 

One week before their wedding, Carlos was offered and accepted a new position with Meta/WhatsApp.  This involved a move to Menlo Park, CA--in the heart of Silicon Valley and close to Stanford University. Carlos and Brianna welcomed their new life in California and, as is their way, lost no time in exploring the area.  Living close to Carlos's work at Meta/WhatsApp, they found that they could get along fine with one car and Carlos' eBike.  Biking--well beyond to and from work--became one of Carlos's passions. Brianna explored hiking trails with sweet Dachsund Daisy, checked out The Bar Method and joined Planet Fitness. Of course they began to explore San Francisco including one of their favorites--the Botanic Gardens.  They visited Sonoma Wine Country for Valentines Day.  On Karen's recommendation they prioritized time in Monterrey/Carmel. They found it as lovely as Karen described--unique shops (including a cheese shop (!)), art galleries, delicious restaurants, calming beaches with playful otters and all welcoming of  Daisy. No NorCal life would be complete without a trip to Napa with all of its charm and culinary excellence. They discovered a multiplicity of farmer's markets used their finds to guide their own culinary explorations. 

She is survived by her husband, Carlos Reyes, and their cherished dachshund, Daisy; her parents, Karen Schultz and Andy Johnson, and countless friends who are chosen family.

Her sudden loss has left her family, friends, and community devastated. Brianna will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.