Laura is the Vice President of Operations, Performance, and Compliance, National Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (NEID) for Kaiser Permanente (KP) Health Plan and Hospitals. In this role, Laura designs and executes strategy to drive equity in workforce, care, and community.  She partners with leaders across KP to align and advance Kaiser Permanente’s EID strategy and facilitates and consults on systems, policies, and practices to achieve KP’s vision of equity and inclusion for all. In collaboration with national and regional leadership, she identifies, scopes and plans initiatives to all across the enterprise, including leading multi-disciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive approach to EID.

Laura brings more than 30 years of experience in health care. She joined KP in 2009 and has held roles in National Workforce Planning and Development where was responsible for developing strong partnerships with regional and national internal KP functions, labor representatives, education providers, and other external organizations to advance workforce development, policy, and access to education. In addition, she was Co-Director of the Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust (BHMT), providing career development and innovative education programs for 55,000 represented employees.

Prior to coming to KP, Laura was a program director with the Stanislaus County Public Health Department where she worked on key public and population health issues to reduce health disparities while working to improve social determinants of health. She also held the position of California training coordinator with the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service.

In 2013, Laura was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to the California Workforce Development Board and continues to serve in this capacity under Governor Gavin Newsom. Laura is also a current Board Member of the Health Career Connection, past chair of the California Hospital Association Workforce Committee and served as secretary and executive board member of Healthcare Career Advancement Program.

Laura received her Bachelors in Integrative Biology from University of California, Berkeley and an Executive MBA from St. Mary’s College of California.

Laura has been with her high school soulmate, James for 35 years and is the proud mom of two adult daughters and an adorable rescued terrier. Laura is a first generation Mexican-American and enjoys spending time with her extended family. Laura’s personal health practice includes daily meditation, yoga, and long-distance running. Laura has successfully finished six half marathons and planning on her 7^th.