Laura Epstein

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Laura, her husband, and their growing family moved to New Jersey from Brooklyn in 2009. 

Laura graduated from Brown University and received a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Michigan. Her career in nonprofit and public sector work began at the Carter Center in Atlanta, negotiating with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for more favorable lending terms to help developing countries achieve sustainable economic growth. She switched gears to domestic policy, working for ten years as NYC’s Department of Homeless Services’ Director of Homeless Prevention, an early intervention program for those experiencing extreme housing vulnerability. 

Since leaving the workforce to be home with her four kids, Laura has been active in our schools, serving on the PTA and volunteering as class parent throughout her kids’ time in the school system, and has volunteered as an Achieve tutor. Laura serves on the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Board of General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery as well as the Conway Family Foundation. 

Laura forged her love of public libraries through weekly childhood trips to her local library, filling a giant tote bag with everything from Encyclopedia Brown to Little Women. Likewise, her kids have benefitted from countless storytimes and SOPL summer reading challenges. She believes the public library provides all children a gateway to a wider world of ideas and opportunity, and is their first experience engaging, both as beneficiaries and stewards, with a crucial civic institution.

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