Bronaugh cited the desire to spend more time with her family as the primary reason for the move, and said that her time working in the Biden Administration alongside USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack “the greatest honor of my professional career.”
Bronaugh was apppointed Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in early 2021 and confirmed to the position in May of that year by the Senate. She was the first African-American to be named to the post.
In a separate statement, Vilsack lauded Bronaugh’s service and accomplishments, particularly her work to advance diversity and inclusion efforts and “institutionalize and sustain USDA’s governance and management of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, while contributing to attracting and retaining a workforce that is proud to represent USDA.”
“Through her work and leadership, Dr. Bronaugh has set a powerful example for the next generation of agriculture leadership. She’s broken glass ceilings as the first African-American and person of color to ever serve in her role at USDA and made history while inspiring many more — especially young people — to serve in the future, within USDA and throughout the food and agricultural sector,” Vilsack said. “The Department, all those who we serve, and I personally have greatly benefited from her service, knowledge and commitment to USDA’s mission, and very much respect her decision to put family first.”
