Branda Jurasek is a senior executive and community leader with more than twenty years of experience in international trade and public education. She currently serves as a Vice President of a global business, where she leads commercial operations in the forest products industry. Branda L. Jurasek was born in Missoula, Montana. She completed her secondary education at Big Sky High School in Missoula. She then went on to study finance at Arizona State University in Tempe, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. After completing her undergraduate studies, she continued her education by enrolling at Portland State University, where she earned her Master of Business Administration. As a Vice President, Branda oversees international trade activity within the forest products sector. Her responsibilities include managing market strategy, maintaining pricing alignment, guiding operational forecasting, and developing commercial relationships across various geographic regions. Her role requires careful coordination and consistent execution to meet evolving market demands. Branda began her professional journey at the Bank of Tokyo in Portland. Her early work in international banking and finance gave her valuable insights into global systems and operations. This experience helped build her understanding of cross-border trade and corporate investment. She later transitioned to the forest products industry, starting with a focus on solid wood and lumber. Over time, her role expanded into pulp and paper, leading to broader strategic involvement and increased leadership responsibilities. She also worked in a senior leadership position at a family-owned business based in Missoula, Montana. The company employed 25 people and produced annual revenues exceeding seven million dollars. In this smaller business setting, Branda managed a range of daily operations, addressed personnel challenges directly, and maintained close oversight of profitability. This experience taught her to act quickly and remain hands-on, sharpening her operational awareness and leadership under pressure. Branda once served a local educational institution. Her interest began when her children entered the district, eventually leading to more formal participation. In this role, she learned the financial structure of school systems and how budget decisions influence both programming and staffing. Her responsibilities included reviewing policy, supporting the superintendent, evaluating budgets, and approving district planning initiatives. Her business background helped her contribute to thoughtful discussions centered on data and fiscal responsibility. She remained active in work sessions, attended school-related events, and maintained regular communication with administrators to stay informed on current needs. For over 10 years, Branda has volunteered as a coach in youth sports. She has coached both soccer and basketball teams for boys and girls in the community. Her coaching duties included organizing practices, maintaining family communication, preparing for games, and providing team leadership throughout the season. In addition, she supported local athletic events like track meets by assisting with logistics and field operations, helping events run smoothly for participants and families. Earlier in her life, Branda volunteered with the Portland Crisis Helpline. She offered support to individuals experiencing emotional and psychological distress, including those affected by domestic violence and suicide risk. This work required compassion, patience, and clear communication in difficult situations. Branda Jurasek approaches leadership with a disciplined mindset and a focus on long-term outcomes. She sets clear expectations and builds systems that promote consistency. Her leadership style includes tracking key performance measures and balancing individual autonomy with organizational accountability. She encourages transparency and thoughtful decision-making at all levels. In governance, Branda focused on collaboration, accountability, and measurable progress. She saw her responsibility as supporting student achievement, maintaining sound financial practices, and reinforcing professional standards across the educational system. She valued honest communication with staff, parents, and educators, always working toward clearly defined goals. Branda supports educational environments that equip students for adulthood by integrating academics with athletic, technical, and creative opportunities. She believes aligned resources, clear expectations, and ongoing development for educators are essential to success. Her communication style, shaped by years in business, emphasizes clarity, responsiveness, and shared purpose. Outside of work, Branda enjoys spending time outdoors, especially near rivers or around campfires. She attends high school and college games and continues to support her children’s athletic pursuits. She also enjoys live performances, such as concerts and theater, which offer meaningful connections to her community and opportunities to support the arts. Branda is married and has two children. Her family is part of the Scappoose School District, where both children are enrolled. This connection continues to shape her perspective on education and strengthens her commitment as a community advocate.