Alumni Spotlight- Kassidy Heckmann
Kassidy is a proud New Yorker who graduated the EPM program in 2019. After graduation, she was hired as a policy analyst for an environmental lobbying firm where she advocated for clients on issues related to environmental health, water, and natural resources. The following year, she was hired on as a legislative aide in the California State Capitol for an elected official from the Bay Area. She was able to expand her policy knowledge to other issue areas and before the end of her first year, she was promoted to legislative director.
Kassidy served as legislative director for three years under multiple assemblymembers. She worked on several impactful policy proposals, spearheaded the legislative agendas of her respective offices, mentored legislative staff, and gained extensive experience navigating California’s complex political environment.
Prior to her work in the Capitol, Kassidy worked at multiple regulatory agencies – including the California State Water Resources Control Board and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
What do you currently do for work, and what do you enjoy about the role?
I currently serve as Vice President of State Government Relations for McGuireWoods Consulting’s California team, where I advocate and lobby on behalf of our clients in the legislature, the executive branch, and relevant state regulatory agencies.
We have a variety of clients ranging from healthcare, education, technology, and manufacturing – and every year there are a plethora of bills introduced that can impact our clients in unique ways. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the clients, understanding the issues that matter most to them, and that I can use my knowledge and experience of California politics and the policy making process to help solve those issues with them. In particular, working on healthcare policy has been incredibly rewarding – especially when there are so many changes happening at the federal and state level that will impact healthcare delivery for all Californians.
How has EPM prepared you for the workforce?
I view my path post-EPM as less traditional than other students because I haven’t worked on environmental policy in the last few years – at least on a significant scale. However, EPM was crucial for my career development. I moved to California to attend UC Davis when I was 21 years old. While I attended EPM, I chose to focus on fine-tuning my overall professional skills so I could prepare myself for the workforce. I was able to do that through the coursework, the practicum, and the policy clinic. But being near the California Capitol was what prepared me the most – because I was able to lay the foundation of my professional network, which ultimately allowed me to transition my career into California politics.
Why did you choose the EPM program?
I chose EPM because at the time, I wanted to work on environmental policy and knew California was the best place to do that. While I applied to multiple graduate programs in the state, I ultimately chose EPM because of its streamlined course work and proximity to the Capitol. Also, the advisors and professors at Davis are some of the best around!
Do you have any advice for prospective students?
Meet with everyone you can who has a career path that interests you. Or who has a path that is connected to the one you are currently on. Put another way, network as much as you can! You never know where an opportunity will lie.
This will help you build your professional network – which is key to working in policy. You can also learn something new that may be useful in the future…or have a connection to someone who may have the expertise you need to help solve a future problem.
Can you share a memorable experience or accomplishment from your time here as a student?
Policy clinic. As a young professional, it was exciting to work on a research report with my peers and present that research to our client in a professional setting. Our proposal has also been quoted in other research papers following its publication. It’s nice to see your work being used to help others in their search for solutions.
Share a fun fact about yourself!
During my free time, you will find me in one of two places: at swim practice or in the yoga studio. My friends and family have learned to stop asking me “what are your plans today” and instead ask “what time does practice end”. For me, staying active is key to a great work-life balance.