Branda Jurasek

Branda Jurasek is a senior executive and community leader with over 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 graduated from Big Sky High School in Missoula before continuing her education in Arizona. At Arizona State University in Tempe, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Later, she pursued graduate studies and completed her Master of Business Administration at Portland State University. Branda is a Vice President at her company, where she is responsible for managing international trade activity within the forest products sector. Her role includes overseeing market strategy, ensuring pricing alignment, forecasting operations, and developing commercial relationships across geographic regions. Her approach to this work is grounded in long-term planning and consistent oversight. She began her professional career at the Bank of Tokyo in Portland. Working in international banking and finance gave her an early understanding of global systems and the complexities of cross-border trade and corporate investment. These insights proved valuable when she moved into the forest products industry. She started by working in solid wood and lumber and later focused on pulp and paper, taking on broader strategic responsibilities as her career progressed. In addition to her corporate experience, Branda served in a senior leadership position at a family-owned business located in Missoula, Montana. The company employed 25 people and produced annual revenues exceeding seven million dollars. In that setting, she was involved in day-to-day operations, managing challenges in real-time and monitoring the company’s financial health. Her role required her to respond directly to personnel matters, make operational decisions quickly, and maintain profitability in a fast-paced environment. Branda once served a local educational institution. Her interest in education began through her children’s experience in the district and led to formal involvement. During her service, she became familiar with the structure of school finance and how budget decisions impact staffing and program delivery. Her responsibilities included reviewing policy, supporting the superintendent, evaluating budgets, and approving district planning initiatives. She used her finance background to contribute to discussions focused on accountability and performance. She stayed active in work sessions, attended school events, and maintained regular contact with administrators. For over 10 years, Branda has volunteered as a coach in youth sports. She has coached soccer and basketball teams for boys and girls, contributing to her community through consistent involvement. Her responsibilities included planning practices, maintaining family communication, preparing for games, and leading team management throughout each season. She also supported local athletic events, including track meets, where she assisted with field operations and event logistics. Earlier in her life, Branda volunteered with the Portland Crisis Helpline. She provided support to individuals in crisis, including those experiencing domestic violence and suicide risk. This work required careful listening and steady communication during emotionally difficult situations. Branda Jurasek brings a thoughtful and organized mindset to leadership. She focuses on setting clear expectations, building transparent systems, and tracking performance to ensure accountability. Her leadership style encourages independent work while maintaining alignment with broader goals. In governance, Branda valued collaboration, accountability, and practical results. She approached decision-making in education with a focus on student achievement, responsible financial management, and professional standards. She built strong working relationships with educators, parents, and staff while remaining focused on measurable progress. She supports educational environments that prepare students for adulthood through academics, athletics, technical training, and creative experiences. She believes aligned resources, professional development, and clear goals are critical to success. Her communication style, informed by her business experience, centers on clarity and consistency. Outside of work, Branda enjoys spending time outdoors, especially by rivers or around a campfire. She continues to attend high school and college athletic events and actively supports her children’s sports participation. She also enjoys concerts and theater, appreciating the role of arts and performance in community life. Branda is married and has two children. Her family is part of the Scappoose School District, where both children are enrolled. This connection keeps her closely involved in local education and continues to shape her perspective as a dedicated community advocate.