Heather Braum | LGT Class of 2026

What influenced your decision to pursue your current field or profession?
I love connecting people to information that empowers them to do whatever they need to do next, including making decisions. I always have. It’s why I was first a librarian, although I tried to ignore my mom’s pushing me in that direction — and she would know best as a librarian herself! Now in advocacy, lobbying and policy work, I get to do that with multiple levels of stakeholders.

If you could instantly solve one community challenge tomorrow, what would it be?
Affordable and timely access to health care for everyone, which allows health care providers to also make a living and tears down all of the systemic barriers in place that prevent people from truly addressing their health. There is a lot facing our local community and health is at the center of those challenges. The health care system is a messy, huge problem, and chipping away at the edges with small solutions isn’t going to begin to solve the challenges. The status quo is not working for anyone. Hard questions are ahead, but they need to be asked and answered.

What movie or TV character do you relate to most?
Elizabeth McCord from the TV show “Madam Secretary.” She loved her family, worked hard, asked tough questions, stood up to power even at the risk of her own job because it was the right thing to do, told the truth and held hope for the future, in spite of what she saw in her job every day. She also treated her staff with dignity and respect. How a leader treats those around them says the most about their character.

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