Lara has been involved in the field of public participation (p2) since 2005.  She is passionate about creating productive conversations that allow for a positive process and usable feedback.  Her experience includes developing p2 strategies for complex and controversial multi-stakeholder projects. She is also well versed in implementing a large variety of digital and in-person public participation tactics. Her facilitation experience includes everything from small stakeholder meetings to large public events

She spent 11 years working at The City of Calgary in the Engage Resource Unit where she collaborated on an amended engage policy and the development of an engage framework.  Lara led a team of p2 professionals working on diverse projects from many lines of service including parks, transportation, police, finance, community development, recreation, and planning. She then became a p2 consultant working with municipal governments, non-profit organizations and energy companies.

Lara is a licensed IAP2 Foundations trainer and is on the board of the Wild Rose Chapter.  She has a degree in Psychology and a certificate in positive psychology. She volunteers at the Calgary Women’s Centre teaching yoga a couple of times a month.