> Burnell is an organizer, a researcher, and a student of politics.

Burnell is a proud graduate of Boston College where he received a formal education in communications and political science and an informal introduction to political activism and organizing. While on campus, he helped organize and support several student efforts to build a stronger and more inclusive university community. In 2004, he worked as an intern at the Democratic National Convention and later served as vice president of the Boston College undergraduate government.  He also serves as Editor In Chief of The Usual Suspects, Barbary Coast’s aggregator of San Francisco political news.

Burnell has also received professional training from the Coro Center for Civic Leadership in San Francisco and is a recent alum of the Fellows Program in Public Affairs. While serving as a Coro Fellow, Burnell was able to gain valuable work experience in both the private and public sector. His most memorable experience came at the conclusion of the fellows program, in which he developed and coordinated a successful Get Out The Vote (GOTV) operation for a heavily contested State Senate Primary. Most recently, he served as district staffer for the Speaker Pro Tempore of the California Assembly.

In his spare time Burnell devotes his energy towards strengthening friendships, making political predictions, working out, and debating the latest college football polls.

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Through kiva.org, all Barbary Coast employees make interest-free microloans to people in need around the world.  Burnell’s Kiva partners are Américo João Muzonda and Armando Xavier Massingue.  Living with his wife and seven children, Américo owns a stand where he sells soft drink and groceries.  Armando, who is married with four children, owns a grocery stand as well.  Both Américo and Armando are fishermen and reside in the Corumana region of Mozambique.