2018 40 Under 40: Crystal Quade, 32

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

State Rep. Crystal Quade has the floor when it comes to debate over issues impacting the 37,000 Springfieldians she represents in District 132. As a freshman legislator, Democrat Quade didn’t waste any time building strategic relationships on both sides of the aisle, which she was able to leverage in a successful vote to restore funding cuts for seniors and people with disabilities needing in-home health care. Although the governor vetoed the bill, Quade continues to do what she does best: find solutions. When not in session, Quade can be found speaking at formal engagements, in college classrooms or at events like the Women’s March to encourage people to be involved in the governmental process.

What was your professional aha moment? When I walked into the Missouri Capitol for the first time, I realized I wanted to be a public servant. I was a senior at Missouri State University.

What is your best productivity hack? Coffee.

What did you learn the hard way? You will never be 100 percent ready for anything in life.

Top secret alias if you worked for the CIA? J.F. Slay was my roller derby name.

Have you ever met a celebrity? Only elected officials: Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, several U.S. senators and a few governors.

What app gets you through the day? Snapchat. Politics can get intense and we need some goofiness throughout the day.