About Laura

Highlight Reel

Born and raised in Niagara
Regional Councillor since 2018
Work experience in public, private, and non-profit sectors
Certified by AMCTO in Municipal Administration
Founder of Underdogs Boxing Club

The Details

Laura has lived in the Niagara region her whole life, having grown up in Niagara Falls and moving to St. Catharines nearly 30 years ago. She has been an extremely active community member since she was a teenager, volunteering for numerous initiatives.

Laura is a graduate of both Brock University (Hons. Bachelor of Arts in Sociology), Niagara College (numerous management certificates and a Teaching Adults certificate), and she holds a certification in Municipal Administration from AMCTO. She has worked in public, private, and non-profit sector roles and is currently a freelance researcher/writer, as well as the Project Manager, Responsible Media Reporting of Gendered Issues for Gillian’s Place. Laura is also the founder, president, and head coach of Underdogs Boxing Club, a local, entirely volunteer-run, non-profit organization that offers recreational non-contact boxing programming to the community, including women-identified survivors of violence, and youth.

Below is Laura’s resume for the last 25+ years of education, work experience, and selected community involvement.

EDUCATION

Degrees and Diplomas
Social Justice and Equity Studies M.A., Brock University (coursework and research interviews complete)
Sociology (Hons. B.A., with Distinction), Brock University (2012)
Office Administration – Executive (Co-op), Niagara College (1998)

Professional Development and Certification
Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Management, Toronto Metropolitan University (anticipated completion – April 2023)
Reconciliation Education, First Nations University of Canada (2022)
Leadership and Inclusion, Centennial College (2022)
Aboriginal Worldviews and Education, University of Toronto (2021)
Indigenous Canada course, University of Alberta (2021)
Psychological First Aid – Caring for Others, Canadian Red Cross (2020)
Psychological First Aid – Self-Care, Canadian Red Cross (2020)
Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C, Canadian Red Cross (2020)
Teaching Adults Certificate, Niagara College (2010)
Municipal Administration, Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers (2007)
Leadership Niagara (Inaugural Group), Brock University / Niagara College (2007)
Municipal Administration, Niagara College (2006)
Management Development – Effective Leadership, Niagara College (2004)
Ontario Management Development Leadership Skills, Niagara College (2003)

Awards
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (2013)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) (Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship) (2012)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (declined, due to SSHRC award) (2012)
Distinguished Graduating Student Award (2012)
Brock University Dean’s Honours List (2008 – 2012)
Niagara College Dean’s Honours List (1995 – 1998)

EMPLOYMENT

Project Manager, Responsible Media Reporting of Gendered Issues, Gillian’s Place (2021 – Present)
Regional Councillor, Regional Municipality of Niagara (2018 – Present)
– Corporate Services Committee
– Public Health and Social Services Committee
– Public Works Committee (March 2019-January 2021)
– Accessibility Advisory Committee (Chair)
– Budget Review Committee of the Whole
– Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee
– Linking Niagara Transit Committee (December 2018-January 2021)
– Niagara Regional Housing Affordable Housing Master Plan Team
– Procedural By-law Review Committee (Vice Chair)
– Regional Development Charge Policy Task Force
– Transportation Steering Committee (Chair) (February 2019-January 2021)
Freelancer, Self-Employed (2014 – Present)
Project Coordinator, Informed, Inclusive, Indivisible, OUTniagara (2021)
Communications Coordinator, Heartland Forest (2019 – 2020 ~ impacted by pandemic)
Developer of Volunteer Programs, Gillian’s Place (2018 – 2019)
Resource Development Coordinator, YWCA Niagara Region (2015 – 2018)
Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant, Brock University (2012 – 2018)
Administrative Coordinator/Community Engagement, INCommunities (2015)
City Councillor, St. George’s Ward, City of St. Catharines (2014)
On-Line Instructor, Canadore College (2003 – 2015)
Continuing Education Instructor, Niagara College (2000 – 2015)
On-Line Instructor, Humber College (2005 – 2010)
Executive Assistant to the Mayor and City Manager, Corporation of the City of Welland (2003 – 2005)
Communications Coordinator, OEB International (2000 – 2003)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Working Group Member (Agencies & Partners and QTBIPOC Geographic Representation), OUTniagara (2021 – Present)
Founder/President/Head Coach, Underdogs Boxing Club (2017 – Present)
Member, Women in Niagara Council (Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce) (2016 – 2019)
Working Group Member, Wages & Work working table, Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (2014 – 2018)
Community Editorial Board, Niagara Voices Columnist, St. Catharines Standard (2016 – 2018)
Director & Lead of Governance, Cowork Niagara (2015 – 2016)
Fighter, Pearl Gloves, MS Society of Niagara (2015)
Director, Niagara Workforce Planning Board (2014 – 2016)
Lead of Promotions/Creative Committee & Fighter, Pearl Gloves, MS Society of Niagara (2013 – 2014)
Member, Niagara Grant Review Team, Ontario Trillium Foundation (2009 – 2012)
Community Editorial Board/Niagara Voices Columnist, St. Catharines Standard (2009 – 2010)
Event Chair, Mayor’s Committee on Community and Race Relations (2007 – 2009)
Founding Director & Secretary/Treasurer, Quest Community Health Centre (2006 – 2009)
Founder, Mommy Talk (2005 – 2007)
Public Relations Chair, Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (2003 – 2004)

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