At both the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum, Laurel has the responsibility to oversee, develop and activate strategic community partnerships related to a comprehensive suite of public education programs and performing arts vision to maximize impact for Museum visitors and engage the broader Los Angeles community.
Laurel received a Bachelors of Science in Animal Science and Management from the University of California, Davis. She has been working in the informal science education field, serving the diverse communities of Southern California for over 16 years at the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens and the California Science Center and at the Natural History Museum for the past 9 years. Her expertise is in translating science concepts into engaging learning opportunities for patrons of all ages and backgrounds.
Since joining the NHM in 2010, she has overhauled the Adventure in Natures program, produced First Fridays, created a suite of youth programs, launched two new family festivals (Dino Fest and Nature Fest) and grown community focused programming such as Summer Nights in the Gardens and a new partnership with L.A. County Parks and Recreation. In addition to these newer initiatives, Laurel has strategic oversight of an extensive suite of public programs.
She was a two-term board member of the Museum Educators of Southern California, contributed to the planning committee for the California Association of Museums Conference and has presented at the annual Association for Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Conference. She is founding member of SoCal ISE, a regional organization to strengthen informal science education through professional development. Alongside her work in informal science education, Laurel has extensive experience in the Performing Arts, studying music theory and performance. She has been a performer and co-producer of a local theater company since 2008.
NextGen Peer Mentor (2020)