Kristen Hassebrook Named Chief University Lobbyist

University of Nebraska (NU) System President Ted Carter announced today that he has named Kristen Hassebrook, a Nebraska attorney with more than a decade of experience in advocacy and policy at the local, state and federal levels, as NU’s new chief lobbyist and associate vice president for government relations.

Hassebrook, currently an associate at Mueller Robak LLC, a lobbying and government relations firm in Lincoln, will begin her university role on Aug. 16. As associate vice president, Hassebrook will report to Carter and will oversee engagement with local, state and federal officials in the Office of the President and across the NU system’s four campuses.

“Kristen will be a fantastic addition to our team. As a native Nebraskan and Husker alum, she knows our state and university well, and she has spent her career building strong and trusted relationships with leaders in government, agriculture, business and education,” Carter said. “Kristen is exactly the right person to share stories of the university’s work and impact with elected leaders and other officials, both in Nebraska and Washington, whose partnership is so vital to our success. I can’t wait to have her on board.”

Hassebrook said: “The University of Nebraska is a symbol of leadership in education, research and economic advancement for the entire state. The chance to help chart the path forward for my alma mater, which has done so much for me and my family, is the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m excited to join President Carter and the team and continue to advocate for strong workforce growth and a prosperous future for Nebraska.”

A native of Laurel, Hassebrook earned bachelor’s and law degrees, both with distinction, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has been admitted to practice law in Nebraska since 2011.

Before joining Mueller Robak, Hassebrook was executive vice president for legislation and policy for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she lobbied on behalf of Nebraska businesses, gaining expertise in issues related to taxation, business incentives, labor and employment law, and manufacturing. She also served as vice president for legal and regulatory affairs for the Nebraska Cattlemen, where she lobbied policy stakeholders on issues of importance to beef producers.

Hassebrook is a former development director for the University of Nebraska Foundation, where she helped raise philanthropic support for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She also lectured at UNL in agriculture and natural resources ethics. Hassebrook was also executive director of the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, where she developed strategies to grow livestock opportunities across the state and lobbied on livestock issues.

Hassebrook lives with her husband and two daughters in Raymond, where they raise livestock.