Terri Broussard Williams, Hosted by Elizabeth Hadley

This episode was recorded on October 4, 2020.

In this episode, longtime friends and lobbyists Terri Broussard Williams and Elizabeth Hadley sit down to discuss how they because fast friends working at the Texas Capitol and dive deeper into Terri's career as a multi-state lobbyist as well as her adventure into social impact and change-making as the Founder of Movement Maker. 

Learn more at: https://www.terribwilliams.com
Buy Terri's book: Find Your Fire

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Season 2 of the Pink Granite Podcast is generously sponsored by:

Davis Kaufman
Public Blueprint
Denise Rose
Amy Whited

Thank you for listening!

Guest:  Terri Broussard Williams
Host: Elizabeth Hadley
Editing: Amy Whited
Music:  "Only the Brave Run Wild" Sounds Like Sander
Voice Talent:  Sarah Keats
Executive Producer: Amy Whited

Transcript

Elizabeth Hadley: 0:36

Hi, everyone. I'm Elizabeth Hadley. I'm a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig law firm in our Austin office. And I lobby in Texas as well as practice law. And through that world, I got to know Terri Broussard Williams, who is one of my dear friends and I think so highly of. So I'm really excited to get to talk to you today, Terri, and learn more about your journey as a lobbyist and this incredible movement that you've created. So, welcome.

Terri Broussard Williams: 1:07

It's so interesting. Usually, it's the other way around. The last time we did this, I was interviewing you.

Elizabeth Hadley: 1:12

I know, I know, we have a little, we have a little thing going now with these interviews. So um, you know, we first met, of course, during our transfer class of the Junior League of Austin. And it's funny, I can remember walking through the fit pantry talking. And which, of course, became a big part of my life when I chaired the fit program, which is fit 4 tummies for anybody listening who doesn't know, which is a signature program of the Junior League of Austin, which in part was was from Terri serving on the nominating committee. So we both really enjoyed our time there. But you know, it's one of those things where you meet people in life, and you just click and I remember just talking to you that day, and thinking, gosh, I really liked her. And we became friends and grew from there. And of course, given our legislative work and backgrounds, it just sort of, you know, naturally grew in that way. And you of course, were the first person to hire me as a lobbyist when you were at the American Heart Association, which is really exciting. And we got to do a lot of cool things together there. So, you know, before you got to the American Heart Association, obviously, you had roles and work in your career before that, and you have done so many different interesting things. Of course, one place where we have to disagree is your background and as as an LSU tiger, with me with me as an all of us rebels. So, you know, started, you did great things at LSU. Like, how did you get into this world of, you know, politics and legislative work? And how did you get started and find your way? Here?

Terri Broussard Williams: 3:02

Yeah, how did I find that fire? So I'm a mutt you know, so many people that probably listen to Pink Granite, they knew in high school or college that they wanted to work under the pink dome. And that's just not the case for me. I always wanted to give people information so that they could do good in the world. They could take the information and use it to better themselves or their community. And so I went to school to be Barbara Walters.

Elizabeth Hadley: 3:38

And you got to work in in news. Yeah, in South Carolina, right.

Terri Broussard Williams: 3:43

Oh, three different TV stations. So I worked at a TV station in Lafayette. Yes, start working there when I was a teen reporter. And worked at WBRZ in Baton Rouge. The whole time I was in college, I worked full time. My last year of school I was at LSU for three years and rush to graduate because I just knew I wanted to work in a newsroom and found my way to Columbia, South Carolina, where I worked at WIS, which is the largest TV station in South Carolina. And just one day, gave it up I felt like and giving people information was not the most important thing. I felt like I had to create headlines that were more sensational than what was reality. And that was not what I wanted to do. So I broke my contract was incredibly young. I was like 22 and never looked back. I had a quick stint as a fundraiser at a children's museum, which is how I learned how to raise money for nonprofits. I did that for exactly for a year, and then became the press secretary and comms director for Alex Sanders when he ran against Lindsey Graham for US Senate for Strom Thurmond seat, so 2002

Elizabeth Hadley: 5:07

See, I don't think I even realized that you started that in South Carolina, because I knew that you of course lobbied then in Louisiana.

Terri Broussard Williams: 5:15

So yeah, cool. Yeah, not many people do know that, you know, as lobbyists, sometimes we might like to try to appear to be as bipartisan as possible to get all the votes.

Elizabeth Hadley: 5:26

Yes.

Terri Broussard Williams: 5:27

I work for Alex Sanders, incredible man, he was a judge, a state rep. college president, we got to travel all across South Carolina. And it was an incredible time for me. Being young, and traveling all across the state, South Carolina had just moved up as presidential primary to February. So everyone who was considering running for president showed up to try to get into the game. And you know, the time Lindsey Graham was a congressman, and he had just led the impeachment hearings against President Clinton. And but yet he was so respectful and so appreciative of everything that judge Sanders did for the state that it made for a very interesting campaign, and we lost on election night. And then I turned to a mentor of mine who remains in politics today and is still a big brother to me and said, What am I gonna do? You know, I graduated college in three years, had a job before I graduated, I always had like a plan. I didn't have a plan. And he looked at me and literally, this I this is exactly how it went down. He said, you're going to become a lobbyist. And I was like, Elle Woods? In Legally Blond 2? And that was really the only lobbyist I've never seen. And that was November and February, I had a badge Louisiana State Capitol that said lobbyists and a briefcase and I was on my way.

Elizabeth Hadley: 6:55

I love it. I love it.

Terri Broussard Williams: 6:56

So, rare, right.

Elizabeth Hadley: 6:58

And so then you were in your lobby there in Baton Rouge for how long before you came to Texas?

Terri Broussard Williams: 7:04

So that was 2003. I moved to Texas in February of 2008. And it was this incredible ride, you know, as you know, is about because you serve as a contract lobbyist for the hardest association is not easy working on those laws. There's so many metrics, so many specifications that you have to follow when you're working in public health, especially for a large nonprofit. And the whole time I was in Louisiana, I still don't understand it. You know, I didn't have a pedigree, never trained to be a lobbyist. never went to state capitol with the exception of fifth grade field trip. And I never lost a bill the whole time I was there. Yeah. So you know, I say some of it was luck. Some of it is just gut instincts. And some of it was understanding how to communicate, bringing those skills in from the newsroom, and nonprofit space and fundraising and serving on a campaign to distill the message so that I really could communicate with people that I was talking to, to pass laws.

Elizabeth Hadley: 8:09

That's so interesting. And something I think we've talked about before, that, you know, you having a news and media broadcasting background, and then me being a lawyer, as well as a lobbyist. You know, there, those are different ways that you learn to communicate and advocate for your clients. And so it all ties in to the advocacy work that we do in this space. And also, similarly, you know, we neither of us grew up here in Texas, we didn't, you know, start working in the Capitol in college, like a lot of our friends and colleagues did, which is great. We both came here and said, Hey, figure it out. This is what we want to do. And, you know, here we are. Um, so, you know, how do you see, before we get into some more of the other amazing things that you've, you know, gotten into now? What kind of differences do you see your or did you see in lobbying in Louisiana versus when you versus here in Texas, but then also, you know, your work in South Carolina as a black female lobbyist, person working in politics? What kind of similarities or differences Did you see across the southern states? And how did that impact your work?

Terri Broussard Williams: 9:27

There's so much there to upack. You know, I had this incredible journey at the Heart Association. I was there for almost 16 years. Exactly. So I got to work first in the south east affiliate. So from Louisiana, all the way to Florida, up to Tennessee. And then when I moved to Texas, I became the Vice President of six states. So I had from Arkansas, over to Colorado and Wyoming seems so random, but I've worked in a lot of states and even now I work all the way up to Kansas and Missouri. So I'm definitely getting a different feel for the country. And so, so much is the same yet so much is different. So I'll start first by talking about what was it like transitioning from Louisiana, Texas, and then get into what it was like being a young black female lobbyist in the South because I started loving before my 25th birthday, which is also rare for Texas, right? Most people work at the Capitol for a hot minute before they, you know, they start lobbying. And so, you know, I think there are there's a lot that similar people work the same, you know, lobbyists who tend to be transactional in the way that they build relationships, they're not going to be successful, new lobbyists that are truly authentic, and being curious, just like stimulated by someone's conversation and who they are and why they make the decisions. They're going to be successful. And understanding that cause and that why, and then from there, building out your strategy, you know, that's really what it takes. And so that's always the same no matter what state that I work in, but I'll never forget. Oh my gosh, so I get to Texas, you know, I like double my salary, I finally buy a DVF dress a wrap dress. One of those... And I get to the Capitol, you know, got my big girl heels on.

Elizabeth Hadley: 11:23

And your red lipsitck?

Terri Broussard Williams: 11:24

Oh, my red lipstick girl, I wore my red lipstick today just for you. So I get there. And first of all, it's big. There, like multiple levels underground, above ground. People everywhere, couldn't find a place to park. I was so overwhelmed. And God bless Joel Romo, who met me at the grill and walked me to where I needed to go because I would have not found it. Yeah. And are these big offices like lawmakers in Texas, I call it the like mini congressional dome, or there were like 20, staff, interns and committee staff. Yeah, stop and one senate office and I'm like, Louisiana, Louisiana. State reps have a desk, there's no office is a district representative, you know, a person that answers the phone. And then in the Senate, they might have one or two staff, they do have an office. But like, it was just something that was so different. And I'm not a person that gets intimidated. I'm not a person that I'm usually fearless and just kind of don't get flustered. But I'll never forget, I was just I called my mom. But then I was like, I can get the people, I can learn the people, but I'm not going to learn this building. I still get lost.

Elizabeth Hadley: 12:48

You know, it's so it's so funny. I mean, there's somebody, you know, similarities and things that we've shared over the years. And it's the same thing, you know, I had since I had worked in Washington, DC first. And I came here and I thought, well, this is kind of like a mini DC. I mean, this is like, you know, the real deal. And say, you know, coming from Mississippi, where I was like, I remember when they called me about interviewing for my first job in the Texas Capitol. And I said, Now, this is his office, and it's a general counsel position. And same thing, because I'm like, they don't have all this. And this is this full time stuff. So I totally get it. And it's always funny, you know, when you bring new people to the Capitol, and you walk around in the extension underground, and they're like, how do you know where you're going? And you're like, you just, you just get it after some time. But yeah, there's still hallways that you might turn down and have to figure out where you're going

Terri Broussard Williams: 13:42

I remember going to the shark tank. And everyone's like, this is the shark tank, this is where the lobbysts wait. And I was like, "yo, like, I stand at the door and throw notes to the state reps. in Louisiana." I was the problem child, all the Sergeant at Arms would turn the other way, I'd made friends with Diet Coke and KitKat. All the things I actually should not bring to the Capitol, based on who I was lobbying for. And literally would throw notes to who I needed to talk to you. And there is no way you could do that in Texas, you would get escorted out the building.

Elizabeth Hadley: 14:11

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Yes. There are some things definitely different about the Texas Capitol, I think compared to other states and DC.

Terri Broussard Williams: 14:21

It is and you know, I tell everyone, there's actually a legit cafeteria with good food and yogurt. Yogurt day is always the best day. But you asked a little bit about my journey, being a woman of color and lobbying and I think in Louisiana, Louisiana is different than Texas. You know. There isn't a lot of diversity in the population. So when I was in school, there were only white kids and black kids after Hurricane Katrina. Then we started to see diversity within the workplace or school systems. And that's so weird, right? That Katrina happened in '05. You know, and I, this is I'm gonna take a tangent here, but to this day in Lafayette, which is my hometown, the order of Mardi Gras parade store reflects the segregation of the community. So it's the king parade. First, it's an all white crew, then it's the Queen parade. It's an all white crew, then is the black parade, which has the king in the Queen there third, and then afterwards, the independent party, which is mostly pets, you know. And so that was just how it went. So I never really thought about race, lobbying in Louisiana, that said, when I was there, there were we might have been five women of color under the age of 40. In 2003, and everyone is still there. They're all doing incredible things. Some of them are Assistant Secretaries of department, some of them are so lobbying on their own or within practices. But there really wasn't many of us. So we never thought about it, you know, and Dari Jordan, who had been lobbying for a long time before me, about three or four years before me, talk to me on my first day, and I'm an introvert. Everybody knows this, although I act like I'm not on TV. She came and said, Hello. And I just remember thinking, like, Who's this girl, she's been here for so long. She knows all these lawmakers, and we became besties. And to this day, we're still best friends. And she's still lobbying there in other states. But it wasn't until I came to Texas that I understood that black women and black men lobbied and made money and made a difference. And they were running, you know, law firms and just all these things, you know, it, it was just a very different type of lobbying environment. I think some of that is just the makeup of Texas and how professional and this means you see, we've been talking about, and some of it is just that people more so in Texas, grew up within the Capitol than in DC. I have to admit, it wasn't until I came to Texas that I really understood what it meant to be a black lobbyist and how hard it was. Because when we say no, you're just working, you're just, you know, happy to be around. But here, there was truly a difference. And so many people at that time, took me under their wings, Steve Brown, I don't know if you remember Steve Brown, he's this great lobbyists in Houston. He showed me all around, he had my job before me, he was the vice president herd Association. He introduced me to Demetrius McDaniel. To this day is still one of my greatest allies and cheerleaders. Who know I can ask any question, that might be a stupid question. And he just tells me it's okay.

Elizabeth Hadley: 18:02

Who, of course, is my law partner who I've been fortunate to lobby with for the last eight years that GT.

Terri Broussard Williams: 18:09

Oh, my gosh, it's been eight years since you've been at GT?

Elizabeth Hadley: 18:11

Yeah, it'll be eight years on a couple, like, in like a month, it'll be eight years.

Terri Broussard Williams: 18:15

So. so old, I remember your first day there.

Elizabeth Hadley: 18:18

I know. I know. Well, no, but and I didn't mean to stop you. But I think that's a great point, you know, talking about Demetrius and Steve and these others, you know, who are the people who you considered mentors and who, you know, really took you under your wing, their wing like that, you know, as you did learn your way here. And that, you know, worked

Terri Broussard Williams: 18:40

so different because I came to with. Texas as a vice president, and I was 20 at the time. So I think a lot of people were still trying to figure out who, who is this girl? Why is she here? She hasn't been around the Capitol. And so it was a full year of people testing me is what I felt like, of wanting to just poke the holes in the strategy. And I don't know if you remember me talking to you. But one of the reasons I wanted to work with you, I was like, you actually you're nice to me, you get me you're hard worker. And I trust you. Because there was a lot of just tests. And so Demetrius was the person that would always answer any questions. Senator Ellis, Senator Ellis at the time, he was our bill sponsor, so he would give me a lot of historical information that I didn't have access to. And the first time I met him, he thought I was his intern. I was like,"sir I have on my expensive shoes, I'm a Vice President." But, but always would answer my questions. And then as I got older, and it wasn't so much a mentorship relationship, but more so a sister. You know, Denise Davis, always had my back. Yes, always. And Karen Kennard is someone who I can just say like, let's go grab a drink and walk on the lake, and she'll she'll be there,

Elizabeth Hadley: 20:02

My other law partner who also adore and have gotten to work with for the last several years.

Terri Broussard Williams: 20:10

I'm such a GT fan for lot of reasons. You're #1 but don't tell the others.

Elizabeth Hadley: 20:17

Thank you, thank you, I'm very fortunate to get to work with a really amazing team. Well, let's talk about that, too. You know, you talk about your work, and you have done so much in your career, also in your volunteer life, and I feel like what you're doing now really meld so much of that together. And as we, you know, went through the Junior League of Austin together, then you became a board member on the AJLI, which is the National Junior League Association. So I'd love for you to talk a little bit about that. But then you know how all of that kind of came together with then your legislative and political background, to get you to this point where you've really created a new movement, literally called Movement Maker, and you have a movement maker tribe. And you've just published your first book, which I've got sitting right over here, next. Find Your Fire book. So you know, how did all of that come together? Because I guess I can see it. From the outside, I can see you know, how passionate you have always been about community service and volunteerism, and how much of that you also turn into your professional life, which I think is, you know, like I said, it's gotten you to this point where you have all this together. And obviously, at the Heart Association, we got to work together on amazing things and everything there, you know, is obviously for the greater good. And, you know, one of the best moments was when we got to pass the CPR bill in school, my gosh, that we worked so hard on very hard. Yes. Yes. I mean, I, I really, that was early on in my lobby career, and I never, I think that that's when I first realized, wow, people can really be opposed to something that is absolutely, you know, only meant to help people and to teach. And to teach CPR for one hour in schools who knew that could be controversial, but it was and we got it done and got it passed. And now kids learn, you know, at least an hour of CPR before they graduate high school. So you've you've gotten those things accomplished? How did it get you to where you are now? And you know, what is the movement maker tribe and finding your fire all about?

Terri Broussard Williams: 23:04

Yeah, oh my gosh, um, you just asked me 42 years worth of answers.

Elizabeth Hadley: 23:13

I need to break it down, like want to take a deposition and ask individual questions.

Terri Broussard Williams: 23:18

No, you're good. Um, so it goes back to Louisiana. My family, they are incredible. They are fire starters. You know, my grandparents started movements. They built churches when the church burned down. When you know, I got married to a longhorn the month before Well, I got engaged and a month later. I went to LSU, as you all know, married this longhorn basketball player. The church burned down. They do not believe that two different conferences should have a wedding in Louisiana. So, but my parents then stepped up and built the church again. And, you know, my dad led that capital campaign, which is so crazy. I when I did that hot minute as a nonprofit fundraiser, I was a capital campaign coordinator. And as you know, Elizabeth I spent four years leading the capital campaign for the Junior League of Austin. Yes, and little did I know that that was tied back to my family, but my dad but the capital campaign for our church. Three months before he passed away, we we walked in that church had a beautiful church service, and then we buried him there. And that was truly the start a movement maker. You know, at that very moment. That's when I got to see that your legacy was so much bigger than you and the lessons that you learned should not live within yourself. They should be shared with others. So it was shortly after my dad died. That I changed so much. I was living in this box of what was expected of me by the organization that I worked at where I was beloved, and did really well. But you know, it was definitely passing 27 bills a year, as you know, we're all about our metrics at the Heart Association, yes. But I started to really understand that the systems that I was learning the methods that I'd figured out or created on my own, it did not need to live within me, I needed to teach others. So I decided to launch a blog. And it just started off by like two Facebook messages that are pretty longer. And then someone emailed and said, I quit my job, I was inspired by what you wrote. And I'm like, did you talk to an attorney? Oh, no, are you getting this from? And, you know, someone else message though, that you should write a book. And I was like, I don't know why. But I became very clear that how I was living, and, you know, community service was in my DNA, I can't remember my life without it. And when I go back to that tenet of giving people information, so they could do good in the world, and they can make decisions for themselves or their community, it became so clear that there should be a blog, then that went, well, maybe I should consider writing a book. And so the steps were ordered, not by me, but the universe, and I was just depositing and the good karma bank always say, like, I want you to deposit more and the big corporate bank that I will take out. And that was my way of making those deposits for all the good that had happened to me. But at the same time, you asked me about AJLI, the same time, there were so many things that happened in my life, but now I realized to find me, but at that moment, I was just living. And so I was a member of the Junior League of Austin and transferred to Austin, having served on the board of the Junior League of Lafayette and got to Austin quickly got engaged, became a leader was league lines editor, communications VP, you know all the things and had that perfect Junior League resume. But this is, you know, I'll say it, this might make some people really uncomfortable, but that was where my we journey within. You know, Austin was in a place where they, they only had one president of color. And the tradition was, if you were going to be the president, you would not work full time, you would take a sabbatical and give your all to the league. And I was so wedded to my job and so wedded to my career that that was not an option. And I was also not wedded to the idea that a group of women on a committee would not place me in a position where I was qualified for because they were not comfortable with someone like me leading. So screw it, I'm gonna apply to be on the association of junior league's international board, like an international board, like, what, and I'll never forget, it was like my Miss America moment, I was sitting at Fleming's having dinner, and they call and they're like, this is the Governance Committee and you want to talk to you and I was like, what? I'm having wine. And she told me that I was selected to be on the board for a three year term. And I legit bawled and the restaurant, I'm not a crier, you know, um, but it was just this moment of where I knew there were so many women that had helped me get to that moment, there were so many people that believed in me, but also that I would not be determined by someone else's idea of how they were going to box me and that I was just going to be me. And so I think the moment of my dad passing away, launching a blog, and serving on that board, is what led me to find new fire.

Elizabeth Hadley: 28:53

And you did I remember that, all of that coincided. And I've loved hearing all the wonderful stories about your dad and your mom. And I know how much your dad you know, meant to you and the impact he had on your life. And I think I know he would be amazingly proud of everything that you're doing. And the finding your fire and everything so I can totally see how that was just part of your you know, who you are, you know, and everything that you grew up with with them. So that's pretty amazing. So so with find your fire, you know, obviously, that I think was the culmination of everything. Like you said, You started the movement maker and the blog and, and you publish this book, which is amazing. So what do you hope to accomplish with that? I mean, what do you want people to do or see, you know, when they read your book?

Terri Broussard Williams: 29:52

Yeah. Find Your Fire has been the gift to me that I didn't know. I did not know that I needed So I set out to write this book to inspire people by telling stories of other incredible people that I knew. There, I met so many incredible people throughout my journeys as a lobbyist or a volunteer. I've just gotten to travel to places that I'd never thought that I would. And, you know, so I'm like, if I can tell the story of this Firestarter, this person that sees change, but does not ignore that takes action, maybe someone else will see a little bit of themselves in that person and decide to be a change maker. And so I put those stories together, but also really thought about the strategies of what helped me be successful and starting building or amplifying movements for social impact and for good, and told that story and find your fire. But what I didn't realize throughout the process was, you know, it was shedding of the person that I was in the skin that I had been living in. And, again, going back to my time, at the hardest decision, I'm sure you've you've witnessed it all grow, you know, at all. But you know, there was this box, there was always a goal, there was always parameters. And so, I was able to overcome all those things by being myself by being innovative by being a generative thinker. But you don't get credit for that, when you're in a big box organization, no one recognizes that you were a part of that winning solution. I was never all of it right, I had a lot of staff that were agree a lot of staff to coaching or a lot of stuff that taught me, but you never get credit for that spark. And so, stepping on a writing find your fire was like, I actually get to share my ideas with others. And I'm not influenced by anyone or anything, and I can just say it like it is. And so over the past 12 to 18 months, I've just found a second when I found my fire, by writing, find your fire, and not only as it helps me really become a better lobbyist. It's helped me become a better, you know, member of my community. And it's helped me become a better person. I'm definitely I'm just not the same person I was a year ago. And so I, I say that because of anyone that's listening is on the fence about starting something new, or letting something go that might be holding them back, or just living their most authentic self just jump, just do it like you will be rewarded on the other side of your heart work and determination and your fearlessness.

Elizabeth Hadley: 32:38

That's awesome. Yeah. Remember, you know, when you told me that you had, you know, left heart association to do that. I mean, that, that takes a lot of courage, you know, and confidence to go out and do that. But, I mean, as far as I can tell, you're doing what you really want to do and what you really believe in.

Terri Broussard Williams: 33:00

I never could have never done it there. I mean, I would have had to check all the boxes to get permission to do all the things, hashtag all the things, but I would have those ideals would have always been questioned, it would have been like, Is this an extension of them, it would have never been like this, this live within hers is tied to her family, her upbringing or just taking a chance on what she sees. And I think those are the greater lessons. And it wasn't until I could jump myself and say I'm letting go of that security blanket of the workplace that thinks I can do no wrong even when I do wrong, the workplace that rewards me for, you know, for all the things I mean, I had a very, very cushy situation. But it's how you can jump from that to do what really is within yourself and in your heart you'll never really be yourself.

Elizabeth Hadley: 33:59

So, you know, what is your ultimate goal? You know, now going forward with this movement and the new career, I guess, that you've developed for yourself with all your experiences.

Terri Broussard Williams: 34:14

I feel like TMZ is watching what up? No, um, I think it's a journey. It's like there's an evolution, there's so much going on. There's a lot going on some things I can talk about some things I can't talk about. But you know, I, throughout all of this, I still went but I went back to school, I doubled down on myself, and really realized I was addicted to the win right, the win of passing a law, but it was also the win of creating change and creating change in the world is not just policy. It's a it's a continuum. It's not even there's not even an instant solution, right? It's a continuum. And so I went back to really understand social impact strategy and, you know, where does that begin and where my It ends, but usually it's not the true end. And, and so just reimagining what does that look like at the intersection of policy and strategy, and challenging a lot of thought processes that occur within my current workplace. And, you know, with the clients that I have, that I'm consulting, and I think we are at the beginning of creating a new category of lobbying that sounds so weird. But, you know, a lot of times within businesses and companies, when people create a new category category, that's when you really see systemic change. And I think 2020 is going to cause us to think differently. And so we're going to find ourselves at a space where lobbyists just started expected to have relationships, or to understand how to pass a law, but they're truly going to have to be embedded within a community to understand where those needs of that community and how just one piece of that public policy and part the rest of the community. So I'm excited. I'm not really answering your question about what that means next. But, but I think that all of us will be called to really look within, and to find our fire and to reinvent what lobbying looks like as we move forward. And those lobbyists that are just transactional, that are just having golf, and dinner, they're going to get left behind, people are going to want more, when we hit 2021, they're going to demand more, and they're going to become more a part of the process. And so I think this is a great time for someone like me, to give my all to our profession, but to continue the work that is a part of find your fire. So perfect, the universe always knows what it's doing.

Elizabeth Hadley: 37:06

Yeah, I guess, the 2020 has certainly been a very different year. I don't think anybody could have predicted all the various things, you know, that have happened. But I think you know, what you're working on and what you said and how I think there's going to be changes, and I think expectations of change, you know, particularly from clients. Going forward. I think we'll all see that. And now, you know, diversity inclusion programs, of course, have been sort of a, you know, a key word. And you have heard a lot about that in the last couple of years. I think it's taking on a whole new meaning this year. And I see, you know, within my own firm, and our leadership and how that is changing, and how much a part of who we are that is you know, and we see clients who demand that it's not just check the box keyword anymore, it's how, what are your actions? And who do you have involved in working on things? And what do you understand about the social changes that are that are here and that are necessary? You know, and how can we all work together in that? So I think you're right and Exactly. spot on with what you're working on there.

Terri Broussard Williams: 38:27

Well, and I'll tell you, I'll never forget when I started to talk about going back to school and getting certified, you know, graduate certification and DNI and social impact strategy. All of our lobbyists, friends, especially like the older people were like, What are you talking about? Like, why are you wasting money and time? And I'm like, I truly think that things are evolving, and things are gonna be different. And so it's really interesting that the time is now.

Elizabeth Hadley: 38:56

Well, and when you did when you decided that that was of course before 2020, in 2017 Yeah, I mean, before this, so you know, some some foresight on your part. I think I know that mentioned that too. I want you to just explain to people who are listening what you went back to school for when you went to Penn and because that is a part such a part of what you're working on now. And, and yeah, and your past experiences.

Terri Broussard Williams: 39:23

So crazy. I truly had to double down and say what is it that I want out of life? What is it that I know? that's inherent and inside of me and what I have lived and I started to realize like I wanted to teach I wanted to educate I wanted to share and so it's one thing to live it but it's another thing to understand the academic lens, the theories, the concepts. So within a period of two years, I went back and I did get certified from Cornell, the graduate certificate for D and I in 2018. went to Penn to the Center for Social Impact strategy and got a graduate certificate. There I fell in love with everyone. They're such incredible humans started teaching there as a teaching fellow. And then that led me to going back and getting a Master's from Penn in this work, nonprofit leadership, social impact strategies all the things. It's really understanding how can businesses be social entrepreneurs and do good and create be cores or just businesses that are socially conscious? And then how do we look at the work that we do around policy and take it to the next step? You know, it's definitely a continuum. It's not you pass a bill and it gets implemented? No, that's just half of it. So really understanding all of that. And so it's it's so interesting to me now that so much of this was how I was seeing my work, especially at the Heart Association, and the plans that we're building or even, you know, working on one piece of legislation, this session, because it was laying the ground or ground softening for a bill that we're passing the next session. And I expect to see more people embracing that. And I would encourage, like firms like yours, big box lobby shops to really find a social impact strategist and embed them within your space. Because just passing a bill is not going to be enough moving forward. But I could talk about that forever over scotch or vodka. But you know, one thing that I want to bring us back to do you talked about the chaos, that's 2020. And it's been incredibly hard to live, especially for someone like me that loves being on a plane and meeting lawmakers all across the country. And I think it definitely is a booster shot that we needed to just do more within our profession, a profession that does so much, right. It's so much of what we know from seatbelts to exit science, not smoking on planes, all those things were done by lobbyists and movements. But Gosh, darn it, let's not forget the good stuff in 2020. On January 13, the LSU Tigers be constant in the national championship. football team. There's one good thing that happened in 2020,

Elizabeth Hadley: 42:10

I'll give you that I'll give you that.

Terri Broussard Williams: 42:12

I got to fit it in man.

Elizabeth Hadley: 42:17

That's right. Yeah, no 2020 is it will go down in the history books. I don't even know what but I think as you and I have talked about separately, too, and, you know, you mentioned, you know, Facebook earlier and things like that. And social media is such a part of our lives. everyone's lives and it can be used for good, but then you know, we also see a lot of negative things. And we've seen some of that, you know, this year. So it's just interesting, I think, to watch and see how people react to a lot of what's going on this year, as well as society. So, you know, obviously a lot of what you do, you're doing a lot of work through social media as well. So I guess how do you see that and the impact that it has, especially right now during this time?

Terri Broussard Williams: 43:17

Man, I'm gonna like to take a sigh. Um, first of all, I have to thank you, you have been such an incredible friend, but not only a friend and ally. I mean, there have been times when you have had my back on social media, by sharing a post with me with someone that I thought was a friend that really was not or just even when I did not dare to, you know, say that something was wrong directly to a person because I didn't want to get into social media. tit for tat, you would say like, this is not okay. And not everyone is wired to do that. And not everyone desires to do that. But it's like so a part of who you are just one of the many reasons why I adore you so much and your family.

Elizabeth Hadley: 44:04

Right back at you. Who also adore you..

Terri Broussard Williams: 44:10

Yeah, I'm coming to your house to get some hugs with them know. Right. But I have, I've chosen to do things differently. You know, there have been some people that I thought were friends has gone to their weddings, you know, been out there baby showers sat on the side of the managing a league meeting. And they really rebuild themselves on social media by how they react to these things and not just react one time, but consistently. show people who you are once you have the opportunity to show them who you are every single time and some of them have. But instead of responding to those posts, you know, I've just really shared my thoughts from a place of what could it look like if you thought differently? What could it look like if you were the person on the other side receiving it and wrote some blog articles about what's going on in the world right now one that it you know, definitely hit home for me was watching a lot of people on Facebook talking about like how dare people tiot How dare people protest or lose, and I'm not condoning any of those things. That would not be how I would choose to share my thoughts and create change in the world. But I am not everyone. But a lot of those people as I reflected on who they were and how I have seen them operate. I have seen them riot, loot and protest in the workplace or their nonprofit community. So literally, I went to the dictionary and looked up the dictionary and placed it in terms of how we do this all the time. And so I also am not here to tell anyone that how they choose or live their life is wrong. You know, going back to that core tenant, we're gonna give people access to information. And I believe when you give people information, usually they use it for good and sound like we can show people what this definition is how this plays out in their life. Maybe they will choose a different outcome next time. And so that's just how I have been sitting with everything happening. And I have to tell you, I'm from Lafayette, Louisiana. Six years ago, Lafayette was declared the happiest city in the country. If you look at the headlines of Lafayette, it's a microcosm of the world's we've gone from being the happiest city in the country to Coronavirus, devastating the oil industry, which means my father worked for Exxon. So we were definitely privileged to the hospitality industry. Just no Cajun music and Creole music justwent flat. There's no more music playing. No more gumbo being served. To the mayor shutting down the parks and recreational centers in the black community but leaving the more affluent centers in the more affluent part of town open to a police shooting or they killed a man who had a knife. And the reason it's still still being debated. And, you know, paralleled with that had two different groups of friends that died on plane crashes, plane crashes one in January one in September. You know, I can tell you 15 people that have died from Coronavirus in Lafayette, including some our age, and so many people that lost their jobs. And so I think right now, we all have the opportunity to not only find our fire, but to really determine what direction we want to take in the world today. And to create it. And so if we just sit on the sidelines and write these flippant things on Facebook, we deserve where we are today. But if we dig deeper and have conversations with our neighbor with each other, then the future that we're going to create involves limitless possibilities. And so I often say like, what happens to that happiest city in the country, you know, when you truly are fighting for life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, like what movements can come out of there. So I just I think we're at a point of time where we are required to do more than we've ever done before.

Elizabeth Hadley: 48:31

Yeah, I think, without question, that's true. And, you know, everybody's going to decide how they're going to respond to all of these things. And that will, you know, say a lot about how we move forward. So hopefully, we can all you know, find our fire and be movement makers and make our communities better and you know, work for the greater good. Where we can just all do good. That's one of my favorite, you know, slogans as a DG is do good. And I think that's what you, you know, have been working toward. And what I see is something that you're doing at least so with your work in this space, anything else that we should cover? I think I've learned about all of this. I'm sure we could probably talk for a lot longer,

Terri Broussard Williams: 49:28

especially once we start getting into the Capitol scoop. No, oh my gosh, thank you for just letting me chat about what's in my head what's in my heart So, so rare that I get to have this type of conversations with people that work at the Capitol. You know, so many people know me as like the Wizard of Oz, the girl that's in the office in the conference call telling people what they need to do. And so they they don't get to see this side of me so I'm so grateful to you Pink Granite to you for being my tour guide. Today my trusted ally,

Elizabeth Hadley: 50:03

I love it. Awesome. Well, I will be your ally any day and follow you into any, any battle or champagne bar. So, yes.

Terri Broussard Williams: 50:16

I tell everyone when I speak I'm like, you know, there are two things that are required when you go into battle. One is a good pair of Spanx. I mean you really need them. They hold you up, girl, they will hold that back straight. The second is your red lip. And if you don't have either those things have a seat in the back.

Elizabeth Hadley: 50:34

There you go. There you go. Well, this has been fun. So thank you, Amy, for having us and letting us be part of pink granite.

Terri Broussard Williams: 50:43

Yeah, she's such a Firestarter.

Elizabeth Hadley: 50:45

Yes, she is. Exactly.