Continental Strategy announced today the addition of Brandi Gunder as the firm’s newest partner. Gunder brings more than a decade of experience at the highest levels of Florida government, fiscal policy, and executive leadership including her recent service to Gov. Ron DeSantis as Acting Director of Policy and Budget (OPB). Gunder joins the firm after serving as the Vice President of Research for Florida TaxWatch.
Gunder brings an unparalleled understanding to the firm of how state dollars are allocated by the Legislature and Governor’s Office. Under DeSantis, she played a central role in developing and implementing Florida’s state budget. She worked with state agencies, and legislative leaders on budget development, appropriations strategy, policy implementation, emergency response funding, and long-term fiscal planning.
During her tenure, Gunder was the chief architect behind the Governor’s recommended state budget, successfully building and championing spending blueprints exceeding $114 billion. Her deep institutional knowledge includes a mastery of the state’s complex Legislative Appropriations System/Planning and Budgeting System (LASPBS), the vital framework through which all funding lines are secured and defended.
Furthermore, Gunder directly managed the allocation of over $14 billion in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds and directed state expenditures during major natural disasters and public health emergencies, making her an invaluable asset for all clients navigating state procurement and emergency contracts.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, said: “Brandi understands the Florida budget and state policy better than anyone in the state. She is a hard worker and she is loyal, which means she is an invaluable part of any team. She will offer clients unique insights because she wasn’t just an observer of government, she was a part of getting things done.”
“Brandi brings an extraordinary level of executive branch experience and operational knowledge to our clients,” said Ashley Spicola, Managing Partner of Continental Strategy. “Very few people in Florida have had the opportunity to work as closely as Brandi has with the development of the state budget, agency operations, and the implementation of major statewide policy initiatives. She understands not only how decisions are made, but how to successfully navigate the process and deliver results for our clients.”
Carlos Trujillo, President and Founder of Continental Strategy, said: Gunder’s addition further strengthens the firm’s ability to provide clients with high-level strategic insight into Florida government. “In Tallahassee, almost every major policy victory ultimately comes down to a budget battle, and Brandi has spent years holding the keys to the state treasury,” said Carlos Trujillo, President and Founder of Continental Strategy. “She doesn’t just understand how state dollars move; she literally helped write the blueprint for over $114 billion in state spending. For clients looking to navigate procurement, secure state appropriations, or protect their business interests, Brandi is the ultimate insider strategist who knows exactly how to drive results.”
Prior to joining Continental Strategy, Gunder served as Vice President of Research at Florida TaxWatch where she led research and policy initiatives focused on fiscal accountability, healthcare policy, aging issues, and improving government efficiency and transparency. Earlier in her career, Gunder served as Policy Coordinator for the Governor’s Education Unit, where she oversaw Florida’s more than $25 billion education budget and advised senior executive leadership on K-12 and higher education policy matters statewide. In that role, she managed a team overseeing education budget and policy issues, coordinated directly with the Florida Department of Education, State University System Board of Governors, legislative leadership, school districts, and higher education institutions, and played a key role in developing legislative proposals, communications strategies, and statewide education policy initiatives. She also helped coordinate Florida’s education response during the COVID-19 pandemic and assisted in the organization of the Governor’s Re-Open Florida Task Force.
Additionally, Gunder served as Program Director for Property Tax Oversight at the Florida Department of Revenue where she supervised statewide oversight of more than $31 billion in property tax collections and managed a staff of more than 130 employees across six offices statewide. In that role, she worked closely with property appraisers, tax collectors, local governments, and state leadership on compliance, taxation, and local government finance issues throughout Florida. Gunder also brings significant legislative branch experience, having served in the Florida Senate Majority Office.
Gunder earned her Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Professional Accountancy from the University of West Florida. She is a member of The Florida Bar.
