Laura is a native of Washington state and is thrilled to be at the City of Beaverton and back in the Northwest.  She brings a wealth of experience  to the role.  Having been a champion for arts and culture for the last 15 years, she has balanced leadership roles in both public arts administration and nonprofit management.  Most recently she worked within the City of Santa Monica’s Cultural Affairs Division where she managed the public art program. Prior to her move to Los Angeles, she served as Executive Director of Spokane Arts, a local arts agency in her hometown of Spokane, WA. She has managed public art projects for the Washington State Arts Commission as well as for the Seattle Department of Transportation and the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, working as a consulting artist, designer, and project manager. She has lectured and led workshops on public arts administration, creative place-making and professional development for emerging artists. She is a practicing visual artist, independent consultant, and longtime cultural producer. One of her greatest joys is cultivating inclusive creative practice, and helping emerging artists to build skills, confidence and success.