| Lauren is currently serving her first term as State Senator for District 17, which includes Liberty, Kansas City (North), Gladstone, NKC, Pleasant Valley, etc. Elected in the June 5, 2018, special election, Lauren became the youngest woman (and third youngest person) to ever serve in the Missouri Senate. She previously served two terms in the Missouri House.
As a state legislator, Lauren has championed a number of policy issues. She has fought for funding for early literacy programs. She has filed legislation to bring greater transparency to elections, to protect survivors of domestic abuse and assault, and to make the Missouri Department of Revenue accountable to taxpayers.
Lauren was born and raised in the Northland. After graduating from North Kansas City High School's International Baccalaureate program, Lauren received a scholarship to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. During her time at Smith, Lauren interned at the Smithsonian's American History Museum and the Scottish Parliament. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in History.
Lauren returned home to Kansas City to work as a middle school teacher. She taught English Language Arts at Urban Community Leadership Academy, a charter school in the urban core. During that time, Lauren earned her Masters in Education from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Lauren most recently served as Regional Director for Urban Leaders Fellowship, a program designed for early- to mid-career professionals who are looking to accelerate their leadership through a seven-week fellowship with a focus on education policy.
In her civic life, Lauren is member of the Children's Trust Fund board and co-chair of Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. (NNI)'s legislative affairs committee. She has served on the North Kansas City School District's Strategic Plan Steering Committee. She also recently sponsored a child abuse prevention training with Synergy Services and hosts an annual food drive.
She enjoys spending time with her husband Russell and their dog Odie. |