Natalie Braswell facts for kids

Natalie A. Braswell is an American lawyer and public servant. She held an important job as the Connecticut State Comptroller. This role is one of the state's six main elected positions, and it means she was the chief financial guardian for Connecticut. Natalie Braswell was also the first African-American person to serve as Connecticut's comptroller. She was chosen to finish a term that lasted about one year after the previous comptroller, Kevin Lembo, left the job.

Natalie Braswell's Journey and Work

Her Education and Early Career

Natalie Braswell went to the University of Connecticut. She earned several degrees there. In 2000, she got a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in political science. Then, in 2002, she earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA), which is about managing public services. Later, in 2007, she received her law degree (JD).

After finishing her studies, she taught law as a special professor at the UConn 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 the vice president of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, a group for Black lawyers. She is also a member of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Working for the State

Natalie Braswell started her law career in Hartford from 2007 to 2011. She then worked for the state government for ten years, from 2011 to 2021. During this time, she was the main lawyer and assistant comptroller under Kevin Lembo. Her job involved handling all legal matters for the Comptroller's office. She also helped create and manage contracts and made sure buying processes were fair. She was the person in charge of making sure the office followed ethical rules.

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

Becoming State Comptroller

Governor Ned Lamont chose Natalie Braswell to become the state comptroller starting on December 31, 2021. This happened after Kevin Lembo resigned because of health issues. Governor Lamont appointed Braswell as a "caretaker" comptroller. This means she agreed not to run for a full four-year term herself. She served in this important role until the next comptroller, Sean Scanlon, took office on January 3, 2023.

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