Bruno is senior advisor, emeritus, for the K-12 Education Program focused on grantmaking and team operations. Before joining the foundation, he was senior program associate for education with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and before that, a senior fellow in the Education Policy Studies Program at the Hudson Institute. From 1986 to 1993, he worked in the United States Department of Education, holding several senior positions, including assistant secretary for policy and planning.

Bruno received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the University of Dayton and a Ph.D. from Boston College. He is the co-author or author of numerous books and articles on K-12 education policy and reform as well as philanthropy.