Laura Jankstrom

Laura Jankstrom, MSW, is a New York City-based organizer and educator, working to build youth and adult community members’ leadership and advocacy skills. Laura believes in intergenerational, community-driven advocacy and in centering the voices of children, youth and caregivers in systems transformation. She currently serves as the Associate Executive Director for Civic Engagement at Citizens' Committee for Children (CCC), where she leads the team in educating and mobilizing New Yorkers around the organization’s policy priorities through civic leadership programs, community organizing, advocacy campaigns, and communications.

 Previously, Laura spent a decade working as a youth development specialist in New York City’s after-school settings, where she engaged with students, families, schools, and community stakeholders to break down access barriers and create opportunities for young people to thrive. For her work in this space, Laura received a PaseSetter Award, which honors afterschool educators whose commitment, energy & creativity have had an indelible impact on the children and youth of New York City. Today, she works as an adjunct in the CUNY School of Professional Studies’ Youth Studies program, leveraging her experiences to teach a new generation of youth workers about the intersections of youth work and public policy.

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from New York University and an advanced certificate in non-profit management from SUNY Empire State. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Hunter College, with a macro concentration on community organizing and public policy.