Lauren‘s experience in the fields of policy and advocacy has allotted her a career that spans across the areas of political strategy, policy implementation and civic engagement. Throughout the continuation of Lauren’s career, she has made strides in leadership in democracy policy, environmental policy, and economic policy; being one of few Black women to have worked statewide and nationally in multiple policy areas of expertise. Lauren has previously provided policy expertise and helped to bridge the gap between government affairs and advocacy for some of the strongest voices within the political landscape on key issue areas including voting rights, redistricting, reproductive rights, environmental justice, minimum wage increase, paid sick leave and criminal justice reform. Currently, Lauren is the Associate Director of State and Local Policy for Prosperity Now, where she leads the national work of advancing Prosperity Now’s policy development at the state and local level to support championing economic opportunity, innovating outside of and beyond existing systems to build power for all communities and help close the racial wealth gap. In this role, Lauren has specific policy expertise that includes financial security, businesses & entrepreneurship, housing, and tax policy. Lauren’s voice has been included in over 100 media features including CNBC, Forbes, POLITICO, NBC News, Comcast Newsmakers, News One, NowThis, and Newsweek to name a few. Lauren has also been recognized for her work through awards including 2017 Crain’s Twenty in their 20’s, 2018 National Congress of Black Women of Distinction and Pioneers recipient, 2021 MSU Alumni Grand Awards-Young Alumni Award Recipient, and 2023 Leadership Center for Excellence 40 under 40 honoree. Lauren’s value of service to everyday communities remains a core priority in her personal life as well as an active member of several prestigious organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Junior League of Washington, and City Commissioner for the Sister Cities Committee in the City of Alexandria. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University where she studied Social Relations and Policy from the residential college program James Madison College; and holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy from The New England College.