Laura joined the Institute in the summer of 2021, and has made a difference on the Epicenter team since day one, with seven years of community school experience in the charter sector, and 17 years of compliance experience in this and other civic industries. She joined the team hailing from a leading authorizer in Ohio, where she worked as the operations team leader and was responsible for ensuring all authorized schools operated within the legal and contractual compliance guidelines and requirements. More than that, Laura had a vested interest in ensuring that the authorizing team did all they could to make a difference for kids in supporting the schools within their portfolio. Prior to becoming an authorizer, Laura spent her entire career collaboratively working with educational providers and administrative staff, providing training, technical assistance, and compliance support. She previously was a supervisor of the childcare compliance department for a three-county region in the State of New York, a child and family specialist, and a program manager for a domestic violence shelter for women and children. Laura received her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education and her Bachelor of Science from Cazenovia College, and received her Masters of Strategic Leadership from Roberts Wesleyan College.