Stephanie Bueno
Senior Constituent Liaison
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Want to meet a native Washingtonian who thinks Shrek 2 is the best sequel of all time?
Oh, you should talk to Stephanie Bueno!
Being Staffers, we often take great pride in saying “Washington D.C.” when someone asks us where we’re from. Stephanie Bueno, however, actually grew up in the district and currently serves as the Senior Constituent Liaison for Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the House’s D.C. Representative.
Stephanie shares that she got her start in Del. Norton’s office and on the Hill by originally turning down her offer. Stehpanie says: “I applied for a Staff Assistant position, but I was offered a caseworker position. I turned it down. I eventually understood the importance of the job and I loved how they were willing to work and be flexible with me…”
Now, Stephanie says how much she loves being a caseworker and she hopes to work in that position for a long time. “I always wanted to work for the government and help people with their issues. I am just lucky I found what I wanted to do so soon,” says Stephanie.
Stephanie was nominated for a Staffer Spotlight for the “great work” she does for the D.C. constituents and for going “above and beyond for [the] immigrant community.”
Casework can be a tough job, and it requires a sincere desire to help your constituents. Stephanie is someone with that desire.
“I love to listen to people. I know how it feels when you do not have anyone to talk to so I love listening to people and making them feel like they are being heard,” she says.
⬇️ Keep reading to get to know Stephanie! ⬇️
Her Backstory
🏠 Hometown: Washington, D.C.
🎓 College & Major: American University (Political Science)
💭 Favorite Hill Memory: “The CHCI Gala that just happened this past September. I have never been to a Gala and since I was in high school, I would see all the pictures and stories in the local news about it. However, I got a free invite this time and I was able to see President Biden speak and see so many wonderful people I have met these past two years. The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association is a great resource and they were the ones who helped me get a ticket.”
🔗 CNCT with Stephanie about…
Planning her future trip to Japan
Playing piano 🎹
Hidden D.C. gems
Her favorite video games 🎮
What’s it like working for Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton?
“Growing up in the nation’s capital is such a privilege; and now, being able to work for my representative and giving back to my community is rewarding. EHN as we call her in the office has two offices like every representative but hers is unique as we have a district office and a Hill office in the same city. The district staff can just walk or take the metro to see the Hill staff. During the day, she is in the Capitol and at night, she can do district work and walk in the streets to see her constituents.”
❤️ Stephanie’s Favorites
Lunch Spot: A. Litteri
Vacation Destination: El Salvador
TV Show: “Brooklyn 99 or Superstore - it’s a tie!”
Video Game: Fortnite
Movie: Shrek 2
Advice from a Caseworker
Working as a caseworker can be a tough gig! Stephanie recalls some of her negative experiences and describes how she overcame them:
“Sometimes you have people crying or screaming at you about them losing their passport or the fact that they lost their social security benefits. You have to learn how to leave all those problems at work and not take it with you home, since we deal with a lot of emotional cases.”
📚 Stephanie’s Book Recommendations
Chocolate City by Chris Myers Asch and George Derek Musgrove
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
Do you know someone on the Hill who should be our Staffer Spotlight for a week? Nominate them here and let us hear their story!
Staffer Advice
“Keep moving forward.”
“No matter what your situation is right now, you just have to keep looking ahead. What you go through right now is temporary and nothing lasts forever, so you just gotta keep moving forward!”
- Stephanie Bueno