As a Director in Cherry Bekaert’s Strategic Financing Services practice, Laura focuses on Applications and Strategic Planning initiatives for Community Development Entities (CDEs), Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), community lenders and nonprofit organizations.

Laura works with these community development organizations to strengthen both internal operations and external impact. She supports clients in refining their mission, vision and values, while guiding the development and execution of strategic plans that enable growth and new services. Laura also oversees a team of NMTC application writers and community development specialists, managing the end-to-end
process for New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) and other CDFI-related funding applications.

Prior to joining Cherry Bekaert, Laura spent 16 years as a Community Development Investor at a major U.S. bank. There, she led teams responsible for originating, underwriting, and managing NMTC, affordable housing, and environmental finance investments in underserved communities nationwide. She also played a key role in developing new impact investment pathways, including private equity and other flexible, patient capital solutions for emerging small and mid-sized businesses.