Dr. Laura Locker is the Foundation’s Senior Analyst, working across our programs to enhance our capacity to identify, capture, analyze, and effectively manage and use data, evidence, and stories to reinforce the power of invention to improve lives. She works across teams on data and evidence collection, designs and management of research projects, information synthesis and analysis, and supports thought leadership and communications initiatives.
She previously served as the Asset Building Services Program Manager at Mercy Corps, working with low-income entrepreneurs, incarcerated and post-incarcerated youth, and the unsheltered to promote entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and regional prosperity. She has experience utilizing data management as well as program design, evaluation, and analysis to implement effective grant initiatives.
Dr. Locker is a native Portlander and a published author in the field of political science. She has taught courses in American and comparative politics at Reed College, Portland State University, and the University of Portland.
Dr. Locker holds a doctorate in Political Science from The Johns Hopkins University, and received her B.A. with honors in International Studies (International Development) at the University of Washington.
