Laura brings a diverse background in research, business development, and economics to the GHD program. Prior to joining GHD, she spent two years as a research analyst at Catholic Relief Services and earlier worked as a proposal specialist at Child Trends, a nonprofit specializing in childhood development. Her path into this field was shaped by her two-year volunteering experience as an elementary school teacher at Amigos De Jesus Hogar de Niños in Honduras. Here, she not only enhanced her Spanish language skills and cultural competence but also developed a deep appreciation for her own Latina heritage. Laura's dedication to international development solidified as she witnessed human rights violations and the root causes of forced migration during her volunteer work.

Laura graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration complemented by a minor in social justice from the University of Michigan. During her time at the university, she actively engaged with social justice issues and cultivated a keen interest in economic development, which played a pivotal role in fueling her aspiration to pursue a career that would positively impact others.

During the GHD program, Laura served as a graduate research assistant at Georgetown's Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM). Her contributions were instrumental in a research grant examining the impact of climate change on the Northern Triangle, accomplished through interviews with immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Furthermore, she extended her reach by working as a consultant on the Gender Effects of Forced Displacement project at the World Bank, earning recognition in the 2023 World Development Report. These experiences have sharpened her focus on the intersection of gender, forced displacement, and climate change, driving her passion for future endeavors in this area.