Growing up in Texas and Arkansas before moving to New York, Laura experienced firsthand how different neighborhoods can shape our outlook on the future and opportunity. Some structural environments opened doors, while others faced persistent barriers. Watching those differences unfold between urban and rural landscapes sparked an early curiosity about the role environments play in our lives.
While earning her undergraduate degree, Laura spent several years working in international development, tackling complex systemic challenges and contributing to policy work with United Nations NGOs. After graduation, Laura built a career in strategy, design, and creative production, helping organizations communicate complex ideas, and bring ambitious projects to life.
While she was inspired by global issues, living in a New York NYCHA building led Laura to consider how she could apply those same strategy and execution skills closer to home.
That realization led Laura to graduate school in California, where she could explore how housing, transportation, economic development, and community all connect. As she learned more, affordable housing development stood out as the place where those interests came together—and where she could help shape stronger communities. It was during graduate school that Laura discovered the Merritt Scholars Program.
As a Merritt Scholar, Laura found more than technical knowledge—she found clarity. The program helped demystify the affordable housing industry by exposing her to the many stakeholders whose collaboration makes every development possible. From developers and lenders to policymakers and community organizations, she gained a deeper understanding of how each partner approaches success and the importance of translating across those different perspectives.
Learning how the development and finance sectors work closely together to align priorities helped her understand how critical collaboration is in the process. Rather than viewing affordable housing through a single lens, Laura now sees the interconnected system that makes long-term community impact possible.
Laura’s goal is to build a career in affordable housing development, where she can combine her strategic background in design, production, planning, and real estate analysis with her passion for collaboration. She is especially interested in making an impact at the local level, bringing more voices into the earliest stages of development and helping shape projects with a long-term vision that extends decades into the future.
She also believes workforce development will continue to play an important role in strengthening the affordable housing sector, ensuring the next generation of professionals has the knowledge and support needed to meet growing housing challenges.
For those considering a career in affordable housing—or applying to the Merritt Scholars Program—Laura encourages approaching the experience with curiosity.
“Approach the program and the industry with curiosity instead of comfort,” she says. “There are more perspectives than you think are possible.”
Looking back, Laura reflects on how the Merritt Scholars program transformed not only her technical understanding of affordable housing but also her confidence in the path ahead.
As she begins her career in affordable housing development, the communities that once sparked Laura’s curiosity are now inspiring her life’s work: expanding opportunity with creating places where people can build stable, healthy, connected places to call home.
About Merritt Community Capital Corporation
Merritt Community Capital Corporation is a mission-oriented affordable housing funder that serves the state of California. For more than 35 years, Merritt has been a trusted partner, investing more than $1.7 billion and creating over 12,500 affordable homes across California. Beyond investing in properties, Merritt invests in people. Through its Commitment to California initiative (C2C), Merritt proudly spearheads programs across the state that attract, train, and retain current and future affordable housers.
Merritt is also the west coast member of the National Association of State and Local Equity Funds (NASLEF), which empowers locally engaged, mission-driven housing and community investment partners to build thriving communities. By partnering with mission-aligned organizations and developers in the affordable housing space, Merritt ensures the most critical communities are developed and maintained for low-income residents.