| Born and raised in Northeast Metro, Brion is a first-generation Minnesotan. She was raised in a household where the values of community service and sacrifice for the common good were central tenets of life.
Interested in furthering this service mentality, Brion began their career in the nonprofit world at Northeast Residence, Inc. two days after graduating Centennial High School in 2003. She spent 20 years at this nonprofit serving our neighbors with developmental disabilities and occasionally still volunteers there. This work drives Brion's passion to serve on the Human Services Policy Committee, where they passed bills to further independence and access to community resources.
While working full-time at Northeast Residence, Brion started classes at Century College, finishing with an Associate's degree in Investigative Sciences for Law Enforcement with a Certificate in Investigations and a 4.0 GPA.
Brion then joined the White Bear Lake Police Department as a Volunteer Police Reserve Officer. They rose to the rank of Reserve Sergeant, responsible for local event coordination and training other reserve officers. She ensured Police Reserve presence at events in White Bear Lake including Marketfest, the Manitou Days Grand Parade, Polar Plunge, and many more. During this time she was pursuing her Bachelor's Degree at Concordia University.
As a Police Reserve Sergeant, Brion enjoyed making connections with the community, helping people in times of need, and, eventually, answering calls as a 911 dispatcher. Brion was a calm voice during times of crisis.
In 2018, Brion completed their Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, with a 4.0 GPA. She then joined the Chisago County Sheriff's Office as a Sheriff's Deputy. Brion ended their career in public safety voluntarily in May 2018 after enduring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a licensed police officer.
These experiences fuel Brion's passion about public safety and creative solutions to keep our communities safe. She brings her education and vast array of experiences to serving our community in the Minnesota Legislature.
Brion resumed their career in the nonprofit health & human services field as a Human Resources professional. She became a Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and completed the Northeast Metro Young Professionals Program in 2021 through the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation (VHEDC).
As a homeowner and active community member in Vadnais Heights, Brion searched for more ways to become involved with the community. She joined the Vadnais Heights for Change community group in efforts to establish a Human Rights Commission in Vadnais Heights. While City leadership eventually did not support this commission, human rights are still central to how Brion centers conversations of human dignity and individual rights in our politics.
Brion knew they could further serve their community by advocating for community safety and making our neighbor's lives easier. In March 2022, Brion made the bold decision to run for the MN House of Representatives to represent the newly-drawn district 36B at the State Capitol. District 36B includes Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, Gem Lake, Birchwood Village and parts of White Bear Township.
As your elected State Representative, Brion will once again serve the community with honor, integrity and dedication. |