Natalie Braswell facts for kids

Natalie A. Braswell is an American lawyer and public servant. She served as the Connecticut State Comptroller, which is one of the state's six main elected officials. This role means she was like the chief financial manager for Connecticut. Natalie Braswell was the first African-American person to be the Comptroller in Connecticut. She was chosen to fill a term that lasted about a year after the previous Comptroller stepped down.

Natalie Braswell's Journey

Education and Early Career

Natalie Braswell went to the University of Connecticut. She earned three different degrees there. In 2000, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Then, in 2002, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree, which is about managing public services. Later, in 2007, she completed her law degree, called a Juris Doctor.

After finishing her studies, Braswell taught law as a special professor at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She also helped guide the school's foundation and worked on committees that focused on fairness and belonging. From 2007 to 2011, she was a leader in a group for Black lawyers called the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association. She is also a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, which is a group for lawyers in Connecticut.

Working for the State

Natalie Braswell started her career as a lawyer in Hartford, Connecticut. From 2007 to 2011, she worked at a law office there.

From 2011 to 2021, she worked for the Office of the State Comptroller. She was the main lawyer and an assistant to the Comptroller, Kevin Lembo. In this job, she handled all the legal matters for the office. She also helped create and manage contracts and oversaw how the state bought things. She was also the person who made sure the office followed rules about good behavior and honesty.

In March 2021, Braswell took on a new role. She became the chief of legal and planning affairs at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. This department works to protect the environment and manage energy in the state. Natalie Braswell is a member of the Democratic Party.

Becoming Comptroller

On December 31, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont chose Natalie Braswell to become the Comptroller. This happened after the previous Comptroller, Kevin Lembo, resigned because of health reasons. Governor Lamont appointed Braswell as a temporary Comptroller. This meant she agreed not to run for a full four-year term herself. She served in this important role until January 3, 2023. On that date, the new Comptroller, Sean Scanlon, took office.

Natalie Braswell lives in Bloomfield, Connecticut with her husband, Robert, and their daughter, Gabby.