Laura M .Gendreau currently serves as the Secretary of the Delaware Hispanic Commission.

Laura is the Director of Stand By Me and Housing Stability at the United Way of Delaware (UWDE), one of the state’s largest non-profit community impact organizations.

Laura assists in the implementation of UWDE’s statewide strategy to improve outcomes within financial stability and empowerment, especially in high-need communities. Within the UWDE’s financial stability lies Stand By Me a joint venture of the state of Delaware and the United Way of Delaware. Stand By Me (SBM) provide free financial co-active coaching for our fellow Delawareans, the goal being to improve the four facets of financial stability such as but not limited to: debt reduction, increased savings, successful monthly budgeting and credit score improvement.

Over the course of the last eight years with UWDE/SBM, Laura has risen from Program Manager for the SBM Home Program, which launched in 2016 as a coaching program for those interested in home ownership as a financial goal. Laura assisted with the development and launch of full scale marketing campaign promoting the program and the partnership among all of the SBM’s partners and to the public.

Prior to Laura’s position within the United Way of Delaware she has over twenty years’ experience within the nonprofit sector specifically in upper management and with Latino organizations. She was the Director of The Puerto Rican Action Board – Lakewood, New Jersey. As the Site administrator for the Ocean County Multi-Service Program, she ensured compliance with goals and objectives according to contract specifications and assisted in the development of program evaluations.  Expanded the Multi-Service Program by successfully implementing two after-school homework programs that target English as a Second Language Students in two elementary schools. Laura was also been a keynote speaker at various engagements on such topics as cultural diversity, and domestic violence within the Latino Community.

As the Director of Democracia, U.S.A., Laura directly oversaw and managed field organizers, administrative staff, quality control, and seventy-five door-to-door canvassers.  Primary point person on a national level regarding Latino issues for the State of New Jersey. Oversaw the registration of over 8,000 individuals in the course of seven weeks via a massive organized door-to-door voter registration effort. Conducted and implemented strategic planning for expansion into nine counties. Developed and directed grassroots mobilization efforts, including volunteer recruitment and management. Conducted volunteer training, orientation, and leadership training.