Prior to her term as vice chair, Brainard served as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, taking office in 2014.

[3] President Biden nominated Brainard to serve as Vice Chair of the Federal Reserve on November 22, 2021, succeeding Richard Clarida in the role.

[6] In February 2023, Biden announced Brainard as Brian Deese's successor as Director of the National Economic Council (NEC).

[14] In this role, she was the White House staff coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Vancouver and Manila; responsible for the President's three-year review of NAFTA; and for preparing the way for China's entry into the WTO.

As the U.S. Sherpa to the G8, she helped shape the 2000 G8 summit that, for the first time, included leaders of the poorest nations and laid the foundations for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

[22][23] Reuters News Service reported on December 23, 2009, that the Senate Finance Committee had approved Brainard to become the "Treasury Department's top global diplomat, a job that would give her a key role in the bid to push China toward a flexible currency".

[25] Brainard managed the Office of International Affairs at the Treasury Department with responsibilities including the euro area crisis and currency relations with China.

[42] In February 2023, Biden selected Brainard as Director of the National Economic Council (NEC), replacing Brian Deese.

[43] As NEC director, Brainard also serves at the helm of the White House Competition Council, a position she also succeeded Deese in.

[9] Dr. Brainard, along with Jake Sullivan and Steve Ricchetti, acted as an intermediary for Biden administration officials and lawmakers who sought access to the President according to an investigative report by the Wall Street Journal.