18 · SBJ.NET MARCH 6-12, 2023 40 UNDER 40 As the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s public affairs policy analyst, Lauren Mustoe is a communication liaison. She helps chamber members connect with elected officials and stay up to date on the happenings and issues at the state capital. During her time at the chamber, she’s grown the organization’s legislative e-newsletter subscription list from about 400 to more than 5,000. She also expanded its content to include advocacy updates and topics impacting the business community at the local, state and federal levels. Each year, Mustoe, 25, organizes The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals Day at the Capitol. Through the event, she encourages private sector leaders to share their experiences with lawmakers. “It is an honor to prepare these volunteer leaders to share their message,” she says. Your proudest moment? My mom has worked in the Missouri Senate about as long as I have been alive and is incredibly well-respected. I couldn’t believe the first time she called me to ask for insight on a piece of legislation: a true full-circle and proud moment. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I often give detailed updates on state legislation to engaged stakeholders, which can be nerve-wracking. Tim Rosenbury shared with me that when it comes to public speaking, people are not there to grade or judge your presentation, but they are there to learn from you. Favorite podcast? My Favorite Murder, Crime Junkie and Buried Bones. —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer LAUREN MUSTOE Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce GENEVIEVE NELSON Lost & Found Grief Center For school districts in need of professional grief development, Genevieve Nelson is at the top of their call list. After serving as a national board member for the American School Counselor Association, she was named by the organization as on-site trainer for grief and loss work. That made Nelson, 35, “the first person to offer the specialization for ASCA, and the first person to be called if any school district across the country requests professional development on grief work from the national association,” she says. The former school counselor now works for Lost & Found Grief Center as program director. She succeeded her mentor, now-retired Lost & Found co-founder Karen Scott, in the role. “She saw potential in my passion and encouraged me to learn and explore beyond the boundaries of my role as a school counselor,” Nelson says. “I was blown away when I was chosen for the position, and I carry my gratitude for her mentorship with me daily.” What about your job would shock people? Even in grief work, there is joy and laughter. When you work in the grief field, you live differently. You find appreciation in smaller things; you laugh when you can, and you tell your people you love them more often. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Your advocacy is your excellence.” – Sue Arvidson. Favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? The Crazy Monkey Roll from Ocean Zen. —Geoff Pickle, Digital Editor Daniel Ortega knows what it takes to motivate people toward a common goal. This skill is crucial for his role as director of communications at Ozark School District. On the internal front, Ortega, 35, manages a team of two communication specialists and eight building communication coordinators. Together, they rally external support for the district through events, partnerships and sponsorships. He honed his knowledge of the public school landscape on the communication teams at Willard Public Schools and Nixa Public Schools. During the pandemic, he helped organize Nixa’s Back to School Bash, which served more than 700 families with $150,000 in goods and services. What is your proudest moment? The birth of my kids. The bond that was created with each of them is indescribable, and these events solidified my relationship even further with my wife. What about your job would shock people? It is our job to communicate everything, from a crisis, accomplishments/ recognitions, news (and) community partnerships, to over 23,000 individuals. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? There are things we face every day that we can control and things that we cannot. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and keep moving forward. What is your favorite food item to order in the Springfield area? Wagyu steak, lobster mac and cheese, and Lyonnaise potatoes from Flame. —Tessa Cooper, Contributing Writer DANIEL ORTEGA Ozark School District Brittany Perry says she’s determined to do as much good as possible. That goal permeates her life and work. As a senior associate attorney at Evans & Dixon, Perry, 31, helps clients tackle challenging litigation, like representing an employer whose employee broke his ankles after falling from the ceiling and a client whose yacht was unlawfully detained. “And yes,” she says, “I got the boat back.” Her practice covers workers’ compensation defense, civil litigation and business law. After realizing the need for female attorneys to support survivors of domestic violence, last year she co-founded Surveillance for Survivors. The program partners with Harmony House to give free surveillance cameras to survivors of stalking and domestic abuse. She has also served as president of Isabel’s House Associate Board and the young lawyer’s chair for the Southern Missouri Women’s Lawyer society. Your proudest moment? I had a client whose stalker was using the legal system as a tool to continue their abuse. After I got done with him, he dismissed on all counts and crawled back to whatever hole he came from. My client told me I gave her courage, but she was the courageous one. What about your job would shock people? The amount of people who allege they are severely injured while posting completely contrary evidence on social media. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Work hard and don’t let anyone push you around. —Christine Temple, Executive Editor BRITTANY PERRY Evans & Dixon LLC HEATHER MOSLEY
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