Hello and welcome to That's So Auburn! I'm Nancy Backus, Mayor of the City of Auburn, and today's episode is about government relations, which, I know, may sound like a very official title. But really, it's about relationships and advocacy, problem-solving, and making sure Auburn's voice is heard in the rooms where decisions are being made. Today I'm joined by Megan Utemei, the City of Auburn's Government Relations Policy Advisor. Megan works closely with me, our City Council, city leadership, regional partners, state legislators, federal offices and community organizations to help advance Auburn's priorities. Megan began at the City just over two months ago and she stepped into a brand new role at our city. And it couldn't have come at a better time, because the work she does matters. Whether we're talking about transportation, public safety, housing, infrastructure, economic development, or funding for major city projects, Megan's role is to help connect Auburn's needs with the people and resources that can help move them forward. Megan brings 10 years of experience working on federal and regional issues. A major part of her career was spent working with U.S. Senator Patty Murray's office in both Washington, D.C. and Seattle, where she helped secure federal funding and support for local elected officials, community-based organizations and stakeholders across King County. She has also worked on immigration issues as a congressional liaison to the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security. Megan earned her Executive Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington, focusing on policy implementation at the federal, state and local levels through leadership. And outside of work, Megan was born and raised on the islands of Guam and Palau, and enjoys karaoke, reading, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
