Raised in Mexico by working-class parents, Laura helped run her family's businesses from fruit and vegetable stands to clothing stores. In search of stability, her family migrated to the United States, where Laura became the first in her family to vote, a milestone that cemented her commitment to civic engagement.

Now a resident in Burlington, Vermont, Laura lives in the Old North End neighborhood with her husband and two young children. In the community, she serves on the board of Center City Little League, a league founded by now senator Bernie Sanders, to ensure that every child in our city, regardless of their economic status, has the opportunity to play ball. Laura also advocates for students and families of the global majority in the Burlington School District where she co-founded the Family & Community Collective. 

Laura has spent her career breaking down systemic barriers across the social, philanthropic and educational sector. She currently serves as the senior director for intercultural excellence and community engagement at the University of Vermont where her work focuses on ensuring that every Vermonter has access and opportunity to higher education. Across her roles and in her position as a City Councilor, she approaches her work by first understanding how our current infrastructure functions and identifies areas of improvement that are informed by research, best practices, and community voices.

As an elected official, Laura is committed to uplifting perspectives that have historically been left out of our democracy and advocating for policies and resource allocation that benefit all in our city.