Lauri Brammer, IT Services Department Management Lead

What is your current role/position and how long have you been at IV&V?

I work in the IT Services Department as the Management Lead, working logistics, planning, and projects with the team. I’ve been at IV&V for a decade and have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people along the way.

How do you help support IV&V’s mission?

The condensed version is that I help support the mission by fulfilling a support and management role to the IT Team, assisting with the logistical aspects of implementing projects, planning, and issue resolution, as well as creating outreach to customers and documentation for services we provide. Each customer at the IV&V Program utilizes the services that the IT Services Department supports. Our goal is to ensure that any issues or requirements are identified and resolved because in order to support the bigger mission, we must support every single employee. We understand that these missions are completely dependent upon the people supporting them and we want to support those people.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

There are a couple of favorites for me. My most favorite thing is when there is an engineering issue or systemic problem (this sounds counter-intuitive because we don’t want to have issues) and I get to watch the back-and-forth of ideas within the team. With the many years of experience across our small group, it is fun to witness the expertise and ultimately a final solution. My other favorite part of my job is creating documentation for customers. I’m a helper and like creating things that are useful.

What motivated you to want to work for NASA?  

I went to college at Fairmont State University, lived in Fairmont for several years, and did not know there was a NASA facility here (like so many other people!) I learned about NASA through my now-husband, Matt, who had worked at NASA for many years. I had just graduated with an English degree and was an aspiring writer, having just finished a draft of a novel. Fast forward and there came an opening for a Technical Writer at NASA. It wasn’t exactly my writing dream but it was much closer than the job that I was at, so I was all in! Plus, who doesn’t want to work for NASA? It’s a job where we don’t just provide daily services, but we also dream for a future, explore space, and make magical discoveries.

What is your educational background and what influenced you to choose it?

I attended a few different universities in my quest to find the right fit for me and was originally headed down the path towards Law School. Life happened and led me toward English and Communications. My end goal was to graduate college and figure it out from there. I’m still figuring it out, and I’m really happy where I am!

What advice would you have for anyone wanting to work for NASA?

Apply.

Are you involved in any organizations/clubs at IV&V?

I am a member of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee and have been for several years. I’ve previously served as the Chair for the committee, and I am so grateful for having been given that opportunity. I grew both professionally and personally from that experience. I truly believe in what the committee is doing for the program and have witnessed so much movement forward in the field of inclusion. Little changes ripple out to big changes, and over the years it has been a true blessing to see how the efforts of committed individuals influence our culture to be a more inclusive, accepting environment.

If you could go anywhere in the world (travel or live), where would it be and why?

I would travel anywhere. If I had to choose a place to live knowing what I know right now, it would be Avon, NC. Almost every year, Matt and I vacation with our kids, and sometimes extended family, in Avon and every time we arrive, I feel like I’m home. Avon is a cozy, laid-back, seaside village in the Outer Banks, with approximately 800 full-time residents. It’s a great place to get away, put your toes in the sand, and listen to waves crashing on the beach.

What do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies or activities?

Outside of work, I stay busy. With kids ages 7 and 8, I am busy keeping them on their toes. We do a lot of travel, bike riding, hiking, swimming, beaching, playgrounding, and simply exploring. I enjoy practicing and teaching yoga. I am a 200-hour registered yoga teacher in Trauma informed Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation and completed an additional 300 hours in Kundalini Yoga, Ayurveda, Enneagram, Lunar Wisdom, and Self-Awareness. I am a certified Reiki practitioner and enjoy learning about and practicing holistic wellness.  Reading is one of my big hobbies and I enjoy everything from romance novels to self-awareness books. I love doing just about anything outdoors and appreciate the environment whether it be deep in the mountains or on a sandy coastline.