A lover of life and nature, Laura works to engage families and youth in urban communities to build a diverse base of leaders and advocates who support NPCA's local and national campaigns. This includes coordinating Find Your Voice efforts, Civic Voice Workshops and other outreach and engagement strategies.

Laura was born in Mexico City, where her connection to nature began with her family’s devotion to home cooked meals and local foods. Her family is originally from an urban small town in Oaxaca and nature is an essential component of daily life, with celebrations that have been passed on from generation to generation and across borders.

She obtained her B.A. in Spanish from Grinnell College in Iowa, and her M.A. in Latin American Studies from Cal State Los Angeles. Later she combined her love for the outdoors with her academic and immigration activism. Participating in “Tour de Dreams” in 2010 was a transformational experience that really solidified her commitment to combine her passion for protecting the environment, access to education for all, and immigration reform.

Laura enjoys spending time outdoors, by riding her bike around her neighborhood, going on local hikes and camping whenever possible. She is currently a volunteer contributor for Latino Outdoors where she focuses on sharing the great work and activities Latinos are engaging in. In 2016 she participated in the 52 Hike Challenge.

My Favorite Parks