AFGE Communications Director Brittany Holder was recently honored by her alma mater as one of 40 alumni under the age of 40 who are trailblazers in their fields.
The Old Dominion University Alumni Association’s 40 Under 40 Recognition Program recognizes notable alumni who are making exceptional contributions to society. This year’s cohort is the fifth class to be honored by the association and were selected based on rigorous criteria for demonstrating excellence in their fields, making an impact in their communities, and for achievement in business, research and education.
This year’s class is comprised of educators, engineers, scientists, health care professionals, government officials, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers across a range of industries.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for the work I’ve done to uplift the voices of federal and D.C. government union members across the country,” Holder stated. “The best part of working in the labor communications space is seeing how a particular campaign results in positive outcomes for our union members, either locally or nationally. The work is sometimes hard, and we put in a lot of hours – but it is meaningful, and that is what makes it all worth it.”
Holder is a 2014 graduate from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Her career in the labor movement began while studying Communication at ODU during an internship with the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE-SEIU) where her mother Glovena Holder has worked for 30 years. She was communications director for the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) before joining AFGE as a press secretary in March 2020. She was promoted to deputy communications director in March 2022 and became communications director in August 2025.
“I was blessed to get my start in the labor movement at 19-years old, working alongside my mom who encouraged me to apply for an internship with her union,” Holder continued. “To be recognized for my contributions to the labor movement with her in the audience was such a full circle moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
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