Laura Rodriguez

With twelve years of experience working at the Y and as a former Youth Program Director of Camp STAR, Laura Rodriguez is thrilled to join the NJ YMCA State Alliance team to support Ys across the state. For the past five years, Laura worked in Massachusetts both as an SEL coach for Arlington Public Schools and as a Camp Staff Director for Belmont Day School. As the Youth Engagement Director, Laura will be responsible for working closely with Ys, volunteers, and advisors across the state to facilitate and enhance the Youth and Government (YAG) Program and conference.

Laura is a driven, equity-focused leader who strives to remove barriers and ensure all community members can access our programs. Some of Laura’s greatest strengths are building intentional culture and community by fostering an environment of mutual trust, equity, teamwork, and relationship building. Laura is known for her passion, empathy, high energy, hard work, and ability to bring different people together.

In 2018, her team at Hillsborough Y launched the Model United Nations (MUN) and YAG programs and they grew the program by over 500% in two years due to their stalwart and strategic efforts of outreach, advocacy, and relationship building. Laura has seen the impact the programs have on young people and their families, and is excited to begin showcasing the stories, the passion, and the drive within YAG to share with the community and beyond. Her priorities are, and always will be, for the kids (FTK). Laura is eager to dive back into the Y world to help continue the commitment to a stronger community and invigorate youth programs across Ys in New Jersey.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the shore, playing DND and writing.