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Warm, friendly, and inviting, Shannon O’Brien ushered us into her office and welcomed us. Although I had met her previously, I was still impressed by her down-to-earth and confident attitude. As our meeting progressed, she left us with valuable advice and a lasting impression of the State Treasury.

Elected in November 1998, Shannon O’Brien is the Treasurer-and-Receiver- General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Her focus is, “to fix mistakes and to save every penny for what makes a difference in people’s lives.” She has an impressive record. After graduating from law school in 1985, O’Brien ran for office in 1986.

She served for the Massachusetts House of Representative for three terms and in the Massachusetts Senate for one term. She ran for State Treasurer in 1994 and then in 1998.

As the first woman to hold this office, she said that there is not a noticeable difference between men and women, but only small discrepancies, such as in the portrayal of her actions by the media. Her responsibilities encompass the many divisions of the State Treasurer’s Office such as Abandoned Property, State Lottery, State Board of Retirement, Cash Management, and more. Her goal is, “to save the tax payers’ money and find the cheapest way of doing things.” She stressed that she did not want to leave a huge burden on future generations of Massachusetts residents to pay for ongoing projects around the state. She is concerned over the increasing budget and debt.

Due to her past internship experience, O’Brien had an inclusive attitude about our internships. She reminded us that although our tasks may seem routine, we are contributing to a larger system. Our part makes a difference and helps make the various offices more effective.

On public service, O’Brien remarked, “I’ve enjoyed public service. It’s a noble calling, and very important . . . You give back to your community . . . It’s fascinating.” Her advice to us: “Take that shot. Take that detour.” She urged us to take risks and reach for something that would seem unlikely. “Life should not be predictable and lived cautiously.” As evidenced by Shannon O’Brien’s career, success is possible if you are willing to take risks and work hard.