Her Story
About Lorrie
Lorrie Briggs dedicated 36 and a half years to state government roles in Louisiana, working across human services areas such as child welfare, economic mobility, workforce development, eligibility, and TANF. She earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Louisiana State University in 1989 and started a master's program in rehabilitation counseling, which aided her work with individuals facing disabilities. Prior to retirement, Briggs led a pilot integrating social services and workforce development and contributed to a statewide governmental task force that influenced legislation moving programs like SNAP employment and training and TANF work programs to the workforce development section. She served nearly five years as a board member of the National Association of Welfare Research and Statistics. Briggs is based in Maurice, Louisiana, and has volunteered with the Extra Mile in Lafayette and Community Action Agencies throughout the state. Now retired, she seeks opportunities in the private sector focused on social justice and economic mobility.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lorrie
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To be your authentic self. You can't be anything but who you are. And when you figure out who you are, and you act in that way consistently, all of your goals and dreams will come true. Now, everybody might not like that. But if you don't lean in on your authentic self, you're never gonna get where you need to be.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think to give themselves grace. I think young people are very, very, very hard on themselves. They have the expectation that they can be experts immediately. So, recognize that to be great, you have to really put in the work. Make mistakes, learn from the mistakes, and pivot. You know, and just give yourself grace in knowing that life is filled with ups and downs, but if you never make the same mistake twice, you'll have many more ups than downs.
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