Stephanie Sevatson | LGT Class of 2026
Who significantly impacted your professional development?
My parents. By example, they taught me the value of hard work and having a strong work ethic. For nearly a decade, my mom commuted two hours per day from Sabetha to Topeka to work at Westar/Evergy. My dad spent many days away from home on business trips. They both successfully managed their careers while simultaneously balancing family life. I have always aspired to grow up to be the same way.
What community issue do you wish more people paid attention to?
School shootings. Sandy Hook happened right after I had my first baby. I have been obsessed with doing something about school shootings ever since. Why are lawmakers safer in our legal buildings than our children in our school buildings? Why do our public school buildings not contain at least the same security features as our public legal buildings?
What is the best leadership advice you ever received?
To question everything! This advice has stopped me many times from following along with the crowd when my gut says I shouldn’t. Just because no one else is speaking up doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.
What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people?
I am on the hypermobility spectrum, and I didn’t learn that was a thing until I was 37 years old. Outside of the party tricks I can do with my body, being hypermobile is often painful and not fun. May is Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month!
Click Here to got back to Leadership Greater Topeka | Class of 2026
