Laura Jackman

“BuildUp Oregon’s mission matters to me because it sits at the intersection of equity, education, and community.”

‍

As ECE Director of Capacity Building, Laura works with partners and funders to design and manage the BuildUp Oregon grant program. She leverages both her experience in classrooms, as well as in managing facilities funds across the country, to provide high level technical assistance to providers, and to train and develop the BuildUp Oregon team.

‍

Laura first found her way to early care and education when a friend asked her to join her program after college. She reflects, “I immediately connected with the work and found it incredibly meaningful to be part of children’s earliest years.”

‍

After spending over a decade in classrooms, her interest evolved into creating impact on a systems level. Her experience made her see firsthand how creating high-quality facilities has a direct and positive impact on children’s development: “The environment is the third teacher – and I’m excited to now be a part of shaping those spaces with BuildUp Oregon.”

‍

Based in Washington, D.C., Laura enjoys being involved with her neighborhood by getting to know her neighbors, attending events, and spending time in shared spaces. She also loves taking her dog to the dog park, being with friends and family, and trying out new coffee shops.