About Laura's Work
Laura is a program officer in the Climate and Clean Energy Program of the Heising-Simons Foundation, where she leads the Foundation's efforts to support grantees working to reduce emissions from the utility sectors. From 2008-2019, Laura was at the Union of Concerned Scientists, where she led UCS's work on western power sector issues.
Laura graduated with a Master's of Public Policy from the Goldman School of Public Policy in May 2008. At GSPP, Laura focused on western energy and water policies. Specifically, she directed her work toward helping states address climate change and protect freshwater ecosystems while meeting energy, water supply, and flood management needs. She has worked with the Sonoma County Water Agency, the renewable energy division of the California Public Utilities Commission, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Before graduate school, Laura was the Director of the California Hydropower Reform Coalition. CHRC is an association of river conservation and recreation organizations that work to restore California rivers by improving the operation of hydropower dams. The heart of Laura's work at CHRC was working with dam owners to return water to its natural channel, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. Laura earned her B.A. in environmental public policy from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
