Branda Jurasek

Branda Jurasek is a senior executive and community leader with over two decades of experience in international trade and public education. She is currently serving as a Vice President of a global business, where she leads commercial operations in the forest products industry.

Branda L. Jurasek was born in Missoula, Montana, where she completed her secondary education at Big Sky High School. She later attended Arizona State University in Tempe, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Following her undergraduate studies, she went on to complete her Master of Business Administration at Portland State University.

Branda is a Vice President at her company, overseeing international trade activity within the forest products sector. She is responsible for guiding market strategy, ensuring pricing alignment, forecasting operations, and managing commercial relationships across different geographic regions. Her role requires a careful and structured approach to decision-making, grounded in analysis and long-term planning.

Her professional background began at the Bank of Tokyo in Portland, where she gained experience in international banking and finance. That early work gave her exposure to global financial systems and helped develop her understanding of cross-border trade and corporate investment. From there, she transitioned into the forest products industry, first working with solid wood and lumber before shifting her focus to pulp and paper. With this change came expanded duties and increased strategic involvement.

Branda has also held a senior leadership role at a family-owned business in Missoula, Montana. That business employed 25 people and produced annual revenues exceeding seven million dollars. Unlike larger organizations, this environment demanded constant attention to operational details. She dealt with challenges directly, managed personnel issues firsthand, and monitored financial outcomes closely. This experience gave her a practical understanding of small business operations and strengthened her leadership in high-pressure situations.

Branda once served a local educational institution. Her involvement began with her children’s experiences in the district and gradually became a formal commitment. In this role, she learned about school finance and the way budget decisions influence programming and staffing. Her work included reviewing policy, supporting the superintendent, evaluating budgets, and approving district planning initiatives.