Insights from an Insider with Heidi Heitkamp

In the first episode of our seventh series, "Courageous Conversations About the 2024 Election-Rural Issues Impacting Real Lives," Michelle talks with Former North Dakota Senator and Co-Founder and Chair of The One Country Project, Heidi Heitkamp. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp was the first female senator elected from North Dakota from 2013 – 2019.

During her six years in the U.S. Senate, Heitkamp quickly became a proven negotiator who worked across the aisle to fight for rural America. Throughout her time in the Senate, Heidi prioritized improving the lives of Indigenous people and working families, stopping human trafficking, guaranteeing affordable health care, addressing childhood trauma, eliminating unnecessary regulation, and securing an energy policy that keeps costs low but achieves climate goals. Providing equal economic opportunity to Rural America continues to be her lifelong pursuit.

Heitkamp previously served as North Dakota's Attorney General and elected state Tax Commissioner. She serves on numerous boards, including The McCain Institute, The Howard Buffett Foundation, and The German Marshall Fund. She is the founder and Chair of the One Country Project, an organization focused on addressing the needs and concerns of rural America. Heidi was recently named the Director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, a university she has long been committed to and a place where she enjoys engaging with students over civic discussions while encouraging them to seek opportunities in public service to our country. Heidi also serves as a contributor to both CNBC and ABC News.

During this conversation, Heidi and Michelle discuss the rural impact of policies linked to the issues on the minds of rural voters and Farm Bill updates. Heidi shares takeaways from a recent conversation with National Farmers Union President Rob Larew and her own insights into the Farm Bill.

Heidi and Michelle also discuss the pressing need to strengthen the rural workforce, rural apprenticeships and training, and rural civic engagement. Heidi shares advice for communicating with policymakers, the power of storytelling, and why rural should matter to those who don't live in rural areas.

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ABOUT MICHELLE
Michelle Rathman is a CEO, strategic advisor, policy advocate and enthusiast, community and stakeholder engagement specialist, professional speaker, writer, and podcast host. With over 30 years of in-depth experience in healthcare, both urban and rural, Michelle understands that every road to living a life of quality and equity is paved by policy.

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