Laura Thako Email & Phone Number

Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Des Moines, Iowa Area

Key Responsibilities:• Engage and build a portfolio of local foundations, corporations, and individual donors• Research and apply for funding opportunities from various sources, including government (federal, state, and local), foundations and corporations• Manage monetary and in-kind gift processing, acknowledgement, and tracking• Orchestrate agency events, including outreach, community engagement, and fundraising events• Support marketing and communications activities, manage social media

Des Moines, Iowa

Key Responsibilities:• Provided Case Management for high-needs clients to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency • Coordinated and delivered Cultural Orientation for all new refugee arrivals• Oversaw adult education programs and enrollment of school-aged children into Des Moines Public Schools• Connected clients to community job skills programs• Supported DSM Welcome Corps VISTA team members

Des Moines, Iowa, United States

Covington, Kentucky

Led Kentucky Refugee Ministries’ successful establishment of the first refugee resettlement office in Northern Kentucky. Key Responsibilities:• Provided services to the refugee community in order to promote self-sufficiency and community integration• Built regional network of community partners, including faith based organizations, employers, civic groups, local government, health care providers, and volunteers• Managed day to day office operations• Ensured compliance with state and federal service provision contracts• Served as advocacy and media representative for Northern Kentucky

Mae Sot, Thailand

Managed Education Programme for Thai NGO supporting migrant education along the Thai-Myanmar border, providing oversight for projects to enroll out of school children, facilitate student accreditation, increase quality of education, and ensure adequate school running costs and teacher salaries. Key Responsibilities:• Oversaw project implementation for donors including UNESCO, IOM, Save the Children, True Corporation, and Microsoft • Developed pathways to student accreditation through alternative education programs, transfer to Thai school, and Myanmar Board Exam• Oversaw monthly cash disbursement of running costs and teachers’ salaries for 15 Migrant Learning Centers (MLCs) and four dormitories; yearly budget in excess of 500,000 USD • Partnered with MLC management to provide teacher training and increase overall school capacity• Supported and supervised six program staff; project plans, budgets, and reporting• Provided timely narrative and financial reporting to donors

Mae Sot, Thailand

Independent contractor to U.S. based non-profit organization working with refugees and migrants from Myanmar. Provided classes three days per week for Thai-Karen staff to improve business English skills.

Chicago, Illinois

Progressive responsibility within the largest refugee resettlement agency in Chicago. Provided quality housing for refugees, contract compliance for U.S. Department of State, and opportunities for staff and client engagement around a wide array of advocacy issues.Key Responsibilities:• Ensured compliance with U.S. Department of State policies through regular monitoring of client files and staff training around changing program requirements• Developed strategies to address core advocacy issues affecting refugee populations in Chicago and the broader United States • Located market rate affordable housing for an average of 200 new refugee clients per year• Administered 30,000 USD in monthly client rent subsidies, secured over 300,000 USD in external emergency rental assistanceSelected Presentations:“Immigration Reform as an African Issue” Panel. UAO 7th Annual Chicago African Summit & Resource Fair. Chicago, IL, May 2013. “Refugee Housing Best Practices,” Tri-Agency National Conference - Newcomers in our neighborhoods: Stronger networks, stronger communities. St. Paul, MN, May 2013.“Comprehensive Immigration Reform: A Panel Discussion,” Organizing for Action. Chicago, IL, April 2013.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Completed 10 month term of service through Public Allies, an AmeriCorps Program founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama to provide leadership development and paid apprenticeship to a diverse group of youth leaders. Placement with local non-profit committed to removing barriers for women in the trades and other non-traditional fields.Key Responsibilities:• Conducted presentations to young women in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) on opportunities in high-paying, non-traditional skilled trades• Coordinated with CPS teachers and Education to Careers counselors, apprenticeship programs

Ba, Political Science

Minor: Studio art Study Abroad: Yearlong study abroad in Quito, Ecuador and Uberlândia, Brazil Senior Paper: "The Rise and Fall.

Education record