Meet Laura Lara-Brady
Training and Education
I’m an equity-centered leader, relentless optimist, and higher education innovator focused on building stronger educational systems that support and value all students. I bring qualitative + quantitative expertise to help teams move from “lots of activity” to aligned strategy, clear priorities, and measurable progress.
Credentials
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Minor: Statistics/Research Methods) with a second doctorate minor in Special Education (University of Northern Colorado).
Outside of work, I’m an avid runner and I love the ocean.
How I Can Help
Strategy & alignment
- Strategic thought partnership for leaders and cross-functional teams
- Initiative alignment (“braiding” frameworks and priorities)
- Planning support (goals, milestones, governance, success metrics)
Research, evaluation & learning
- Program evaluation and evaluation design (equity-centered approaches)
- Mixed-methods research (qualitative + quantitative)
- Data collection (surveys, interviews, focus groups, document review)
- Equity program evaluations and learning memos / briefs
Analytics & data tools
- Statistical analysis (quantitative + qualitative coding/analysis)
- Equity disproportionality calculations
- Data visualizations and decision-support dashboards
- Technical assistance to translate findings into action
Capacity building & facilitation
- Workshop design and facilitation
- Coaching / capacity building for data use and evaluation
- Bilingual facilitation and materials (English/Spanish)
Have a project in mind? I’m happy to scope options and recommend a right-sized approach.
Areas of Focus
- Academic achievement and the obligation gap
- Equity-centered data use and decision-making
- Braiding and streamlining systems and improving cross-team processes
- Management and leadership support (from planning to execution)
- Braiding higher education initiatives and frameworks into coherent strategy
- Work across California and partner support for other states and national collaborations