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Laura Kaplan

Laura Kaplan has been working as a facilitator, mediator, instructor / trainer, editor, and researcher with the Center for Collaborative Policy since 2002. Her current assignments include facilitating the San Joaquin County Flood Protection Technical Advisory Committee, co-facilitating the Lower American River Task Force, and facilitating the Lower American River FISH (Fisheries and In-Stream Habitat) Working Group.

Past projects Laura has worked on at CCP include the American River Parkway Plan Update Citizens’ Advisory Committee; the California Department of Mental Health Suicide Prevention Plan Advisory Committee; an assessment, training, and manual for public participation practice for the California State Water Boards; the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Pollution Prevention Advisory Committee; California Statewide Floodplain Management Task Force; Sacramento River Corridor Floodway Planning Forum; and the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Expansion Management Plan Process. She has also been editor of the Center’s Collaborative Edge newsletter, made guest appearances as an instructor in collaborative policy courses taught at Sacramento State University and U.C. Berkeley, and has been involved in the Center's research efforts regarding building statewide capacity for collaboration, as well as an evaluation of the CALFED program conducted with the University of California, Berkeley's Institute for Urban and Regional Development.

Before her move to California to join the Center, Laura worked for the Northern Virginia Mediation Service as the facilitator of a collaborative forum to resolve community planning issues associated with day laborers. Other past experience includes serving as the Training Director and Lead Trainer for the University Dispute Resolution Program at George Mason University, working with the ombudsman's office at the National Institutes of Health to improve organizational procedures, mediating court cases in Virginia, facilitating outdoor leadership and team-building, and teaching conflict resolution theory and practice to international youth. She has published peer-reviewed articles on community collaboration and organizational procedures to enhance shared learning. Laura holds an M.S. degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and a B.A. degree in Environmental Relations from Alfred University. When she's not at work, Laura enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and writing fiction.