A dedicated, hard-working public servant, Jean Breaux was appointed to the State Senate in December of 2006 to fulfill the unexpired term of her mother, Billie Breaux, who was recently elected the Marion County Auditor. Breaux was appointed to serve as Assistant Democratic Caucus Chair in 2008.
With extensive experience working in community-based economic development, Breaux's work focuses on creating and retaining good jobs in Indiana - particularly in areas with high rates of unemployment. She is also an outspoken advocate on education, health care and labor issues.
Breaux is employed at the Forest Manor Multi-Service Center, a not-for-profit center based in Indianapolis, that offers homelessness prevention, workforce development, mental health, family counseling and youth and after school programs.
Previously, Breaux worked for the Community Development Corporation and the Indiana Department of Commerce where she played a leading role in landing several major projects including Roche Diagnostics, Hill's Pet Nutrition and RelMed Corporation.
She is also an active community member volunteering for the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Member Diversity Committee, Junior Achievement of Indiana and the United Way of Central Indiana. Breaux is a member of the Indianapolis Urban League, a newly-elected member of the executive board of the NAACP and a past board member for the National Kidney Foundation.
In the State Senate, Breaux serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Utilities and Technology Committee. She is also a member of the Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee; Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans Affairs; Health and Provider Services; and Local Government standing committees as well as the Public Health and Transportation Subcommittees. Breaux is also a member of the Indiana Recycling Market Development Board and the State Workforce Innovation Council.
She is appointed to serve on the Agriculture and Energy Committee and the Environment Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. In 2009, Breaux was selected to attend the Program for Emerging Political Leaders hosted by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.
Breaux attended Boston University and graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. She also earned professional certificates from the Economic Development Institute and the International Economic Development Council.
She attends Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and resides, with her family, in Indianapolis.