As Senior Program Officer, Sustainable Development at Verra, Lauren helps ensure the quality of projects registering with Verra programs and provides technical guidance to program users. She supports the development of Verra’s sustainable development programs, helping stakeholders achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Before joining Verra, Lauren worked in various positions that advanced her desire for environmental and social justice. As an intern at FundsforNGOs, she helped make the grant application process more accessible to NGOs in developing countries. She was also a Project Assistant for Hudsonia, where she collected data on painted turtles to study the impact of changes in their environment on populations. Lauren also has experience with using GIS for environmental and development research, including as a graduate teaching assistant.

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs with a minor in Geographic Science from James Madison University. Lauren also holds a Dual Master of Arts in Sustainable International Development and in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence from The Heller School at Brandeis University. Her master’s thesis focuses on indigenous participation in the development and implementation of land reform policies put in place by peace agreements.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and trying out new foods.