Strategic PartnershipsProfiles in Power highlights public officials nationwide who are improving their communities through their dedication, enthusiasm, creativity and experience.
This week’s profile is the deputy secretary for Vermont’s Agency of Digital Services, Andrea DeLaBruere.
My public career highlights and education:
I began working for the state of Vermont at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic as the executive director of the Agency of Human Services. In 2023, I was appointed the commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access (Medicaid and the Health Insurance Exchange), and now I serve as the deputy secretary for the Agency of Digital Services.
I received a master’s in healthcare administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s in health education from Norwich University.
What I like best about public service:
I thought about this a lot because it took a long time for me to be able to make the shift, which is something I’ve always been interested in doing. For many reasons I just never did, but purpose and meaning is what I like best about public service. The meaningful work that impacts the folks and the state that I live in has been really gratifying for me.
The best advice you’ve ever received:
I think the best advice I have ever received is, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” That has stayed with me for the last 20 years because there are a lot of things that we have the capability to do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we should be doing them.
Something I wish more people knew about my division of government:
I wish people knew the complexity of technology better than they do. I think that IT literacy — like healthcare literacy — is quite low. It is a very complex situation when you’re working with even just one system, let alone the many systems that we have here in our small but mighty state. We support 10,000 users, but we also have many, many systems that are working together or not working together behind the scenes to deliver services and programs to the public. The nature of the work is difficult and it takes a long time to see the results. With many other industries, you see results immediately, but working in technology is a journey.
Current project or initiative you’re working on:
One cool thing, and one of the reasons I wanted to join this agency, is that we’re embarking upon some significant organizational changes. I really enjoy the challenge. We are actively engaged in a multi-year effort to improve sustainability and efficiency. A key part of this effort is ensuring responsible IT spending and optimizing our organizational structure — placing the right people in the right roles to maximize impact. With 390 professionals in this agency, we are simultaneously managing day-to-day operations, modernizing legacy systems, and addressing cybersecurity challenges to strengthen our overall IT framework.
One thing people may not know about me:
Many folks know I have a long history as an athlete, but few people know how competitive I am. I approach every challenge with unwavering determination – not just to accel personally but to deliver the best results for those around me. For me, competition isn’t just about winning; it’s about pushing boundaries, setting high standards, and striving for excellence in everything I do.
