Laura Book joined the Greater Des Moines Partnership as its new director of government relations and public policy in early January after serving as workforce policy advisor in Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office for about 3½ years. She also did work in public safety and corrections in the governor’s office as well as being the deputy legislative liaison. 

Book’s work in public service also includes time with the Senate Republicans’ caucus staff and with the Legislative Services Agency’s fiscal division. She said those experiences have given her the understanding of how the state budget and programs work and she has built a strong foundation for her new role with the Partnership, where she will be advocating for businesses and their needs at the statehouse.

The Business Record recently caught up with Book, 35, to learn more about her, her goals for her new role and how her parents and dance have influenced her. Her responses have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

How have your experiences in state government prepared you for your current role with the Partnership?

It was helpful in the sense of being able to work side-by-side with legislators and understand their process for policymaking. It helped me understand their perspective, so now when I’m working from the Partnership angle, I understand what their thought process is and maybe knowing that will help me to facilitate those conversations between the Partnership and lawmakers and give a voice to those in the business community, a direct line to them while policy is being crafted. Having been on the inside and understanding how it works, I can help the Partnership navigate the thought process of lawmakers and the governor. It’s a great way of building relationships and having good communication because I think the best communication comes from when we understand each other’s perspectives and what we’re working through. It facilitates those conversations so all of it comes together to help make a strong public policymaking process.

How do you navigate bringing sides together to create a better understanding about where they’re coming from?

That’s a really great part of being part of a nonpartisan organization. You get the chance to work with all sides and have those conversations and gain those perspectives on both sides so it gives everyone a better perspective overall. We have conversations constantly with our investors and members and they all have very diverse perspectives as well, so it’s making sure those conversations are happening, and understanding their perspectives, and then bringing together those parties for those conversations. We’re looking at having roundtables here in the near future, specifically looking at housing, health care and workforce. It’s our role at the Partnership to make sure we include everyone in those conversations and help facilitate that to have a strong policymaking process.

Both your parents were attorneys. What values did they instill in you that you carry forward in your career today?

My parents instilled a service-oriented mindset. They both went into very different areas of the law, but it was very much about providing a service and helping others while at the same time having critical thought, analyzing, understanding, basically being an independent thinker. All those attributes made me want to go into law and government specifically. Those are all skills that work well in that space, too. They were also very civically minded, so I grew up going to the caucuses with them. I think that example growing up helped me become who I am today. And then just being a good listener, having empathy for others. It really helped inform who I am and how I approach, not only having gone to law school, but my current position here.

What was it about the Partnership position that attracted you?

I really loved my time at the governor’s office. I have memories from there that I will carry with me forever. The Partnership has always kind of been on my radar. They’re well-known and well-respected, and I’m very driven by public service so being able to be a part of my community and of something that is forward thinking, it seemed like a perfect fit. It’s a chance to serve the community and make a difference with a different organization.

What goals do you have in your new role?

Ultimately, my goal is to continue building on the great reputation the Partnership has and those strong relationships, not only at the Capitol but also regionally with our chambers and our investors. My goal is to keep that open communication and be available to help and facilitate where I can. I want people to see me and know I can be a resource and help them wherever they need and help facilitate conversation. 

You mentioned you used to be involved in dance. What disciplines that you learned in dance will help in your career?

I was actually thinking about this recently. I did ballet as my main focus and one of the keys with dance is being able to accept correction or criticism without taking it personally, but then absorbing it and applying it going forward. I think that is something I very much carry forward with me today, and being able to understand what I don’t know or maybe what I can improve, and what I can work on and taking it forward to do my jobs better or build relationships better. That’s something I’ve always carried with me.

What motivates you each day?

For me it’s having that purpose-driven mission to help others, to see those real world impacts of the things I’m working on and how it helps others. Those real world impacts inspire me.

What book would you recommend?

One of my absolute favorite books is “A Woman of No Importance” by Sonia Purnell. It’s about a woman who was a spy during World War II and how she overcame great adversity. She lost her leg and she had to escape, and then just being a woman during the war and having to navigate all that. It was just a good demonstration to me of the strength of the human spirit and what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. It’s absolutely incredible. I love reading about World War II and some of those lesser known stories of people who made a really big difference. So, that’s a story I think back on often and I’m inspired by.

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At a glance

Hometown: Born and raised in West Des Moines. Currently lives in Urbandale.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from Marquette University; juris doctor degree from Drake University Law School

Activities: Attending outdoor festivals and farmers markets, solving puzzles, cooking and reading.

Contact: LBook@DSMpartnership.com