Meet Kristin Walstad the President at Tobacco Free Lancaster County (tobaccofreelancastercounty.org).
Tell us a little about your business. – Tobacco Free Lancaster County (TFLC) is a local coalition that advocates for health by eliminating the use of and exposure to tobacco and e-cigarette products. It includes over 30 community partner agencies. We work on issues such as: promoting referrals to tobacco cessation education (or “quit smoking” groups), addressing vaping among youth and promoting the establishment of smoke-free housing. We also strive to respond quickly to changes in tobacco, e-cigarette and nicotine products to best protect our community. We believe that the Lancaster County area should be a tobacco and e-cigarette free community.
How did you get started in the business? – I first got started in advocacy related to tobacco and e-cigarette use while working at a local community health organization. I led regular “quit” groups for individuals receiving services. I learned a lot over the years of leading those groups – what did and didn’t work for people. Or why quitting felt impossible. I was also invited to collaborate with local government and other nonprofit organizations to better provide tobacco cessation services.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – In terms of my work with TFLC? – Nicotine! It’s a very addictive drug. There are so many people who I’ve met who want to quit, but struggle with the physical burden of nicotine dependence. The struggle to quit tobacco, e-cigarette and other nicotine products is real. And the companies that sell the products don’t help you stop using them.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I left the finance industry to work in mental health care. Best career decision I ever made.
Who inspires you? – I feel very lucky to work in healthcare. The people who inspire me most are the individuals I’ve served. Improving your health is no small task. Health setbacks can be overwhelming. It takes courage to address them. Success never happens because there’s some perfect person helping you. A person’s strengths and motivation change everything. It’s always a privilege to be a part of the journey.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – My grandmother once told me – “Don’t worry about how your job is going right now. You’ll work lots of jobs before you get old. You may even have four careers.” I think that’s true about many facets of life. Even more adventures await. Change is exciting. Having a life full of possibilities is unavoidable.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I currently work as the Program Director for the Nebraska office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI Nebraska is another grassroots organization that promotes health and community. We advocate for individuals living with mental illness and their loved ones. The work is very rewarding. It’s all about empowering people to grow and flourish, despite the impact of a mental health condition.
What is your favorite local Lincoln restaurant? – I’ve been on the go a lot recently. Runza is always a great staple for lunch. Delicious and satisfying!
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – The best way to contact me is to reach out to TFLC directly. TFLC can be reached by phone at (402) 441-8045 or by email at info@tobaccofreelancastercounty.org.