Message from the Little Rock Regional Executive

Transcript: A Conversation with Matuschka Lindo Briggs

Hi, I’m Matuschka Lindo Briggs, Vice President and Regional Executive of the Little Rock Branch at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Q: What are your views on the importance of the Fed’s role in outreach?

The Federal Reserve relies on data and research, which really reflects everything that happens in the past, so that makes my role and outreach even more important because I’m focusing on what’s happening in real time when I’m talking to bankers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, academia, or any various numbers of industries. So really, it’s almost like a partnership of an economic exchange. I’m listening to what they’re telling me, but I’m also sharing what we’re learning and the trends that are happening at the St. Louis Fed. So, it’s important for me to understand there’s a lot of great stuff happening in the Natural State, but there’s also pain points and challenges, and I need to hear that anecdotal information.

Q: How do you connect with key audiences in Little Rock?

Well, first let me say that I am honored to be in Little Rock, representing the majority of Arkansas, everything except northeast corner of Arkansas, which goes to my colleague in Memphis.

I’m meeting people where they are. I’m listening and I’m learning. And whether that means a lunch, or one-on-one, or a roundtable, or an event—it may even mean me putting boots on and heading to a farm or just taking a tour of an industry. That’s really how I’m trying to connect is just meeting everyone where they are.

Q: How have your previous Fed and non Fed career experiences prepared you for this role?

I’ve been on various boards, so that really helps me understand the talent pool that I’m looking for directors when I’m trying to build my board, as well as gathering information. That’s really my sweet spot. That’s what I’ve spent my whole life doing as a reporter is out there looking for information. I really feel like I’ve come full circle.

I started in Iowa in the fields reporting seed corn, and feed corn, and soybean report. I’ve been a health reporter as well as working in D.C. as a political reporter. So I understand various industries, and that’s what I’m doing now when I’m talking to all these different industries and people in different sectors.

As well as in working with the Fed, I was always a relationship manager, or working in community development, or communication and public affairs. So really, when you think of the role of the regional executive, it’s about building community and communicating with everyone.