Before joining AIM, Courtney was the program coordinator in the Office of the Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She served mainly as a liaison to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, among other duties.

Throughout her career, Courtney has held administrative positions working for the Vice President of Harvard Library and the University Librarian at Harvard University and, over a decade, served as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Courtney is a lifelong resident of Melrose, and received her Bachelor of Science in Social and Cultural Studies from Lesley University in Cambridge.