Sharon Brennan joined the City of Charleston in 1988 where she has held various positions. For almost 10 years, she served as the City's Director of Economic Development while also overseeing the operations of the City's Local Development Corporation (LDC). In her capacities with the City, Ms. Brennan created, implemented, and facilitated programs and projects which resulted in job creation and business development while also enhancing and sustaining the existing business climate. Her efforts in business development and finance, recruitment and retention and real estate development resulted in her being involved in many projects such as the Charleston Maritime Center, Majestic Square, Mikasa, Francis Marion Hotel, 2 a.m. bar closing, Gateway TIF, various retail strategies, recruitment of both national and locally-owned businesses, Palmetto Artisan Program, and being the lead person for the King Street Streetscape project, just to mention a few.

Ms. Brennan is currently the Executive Director of the Charleston Local Development Corporation. The LDC is an economic development corporation that serves to supply technical assistance while also providing an alternative lending resource for small businesses in the greater Charleston region. Since joining the LDC in 1988, the organization has grown from partnering with one funding source to partnerships with over seven sources and now offers numerous loan programs for various small business needs. Additionally, since 1992, the LDC has been designated as an Intermediary Lender for SBA as well as later being named a CDFI and a CDE by the U.S. Treasury.

Prior to beginning with the City of Charleston, Ms. Brennan had owned a real estate brokerage firm, worked in mortgage banking, and taught high school.

Ms. Brennan has a Bachelor of Arts from Winthrop University and a Masters of Science from the University of Southern California.

Ms. Brennan grew up in Beaufort but now calls the Charleston area home as most of her immediate family has joined her here in the local area.