Laura Searfoss is a certified planning professional dedicated to helping communities utilize their assets to tackle their most pressing challenges. Her primary focus is on equitable affordable housing, neighborhood-scale development, multimodal transportation, and effective resident engagement strategies that prioritize the needs of underrepresented groups.

Searfoss studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her master's degree in Urban Planning. Additionally, she received her Bachelor's degree in English and Political Science from James Madison University.

She currently serves as the Senior Program Director of Enterprise Advisors at Enterprise Community Partners, where she leads the development of Housing for a Resilient New Orleans, a groundbreaking initiative that aims to address the city's affordable housing crisis. She has also contributed to the City of Tacoma's Affordable Housing Action Strategy.

Before joining Enterprise Community Partners, Searfoss worked as the Policy Associate for the National Complete Streets Coalition of Smart Growth America, the Neighborhood Liaison for the City of Greenville, NC, and the Community Stabilization Intern for the National Community Stabilization Trust.

Searfoss is a versatile professional who has held various editorial roles, including Editor/Designer for Rocks & Minerals at Heldref Publications, Assistant Editor for Environment at Heldref Publications, and Editorial/Marketing Assistant for Peterson Institute. As a Civil Rights Intern for the National Coalition for the Homeless, she developed an awareness of the complex issues surrounding homelessness and housing insecurity.