Lara moved to Atlanta in 2007, joining Dad’s Garage as Development Director. In 2010, Lara became Managing Director of Actor’s Express. While there, she helped lead the organization through a financial crisis, retired 26% of the debt in two years, and led the organization through a five-year strategic planning process.
In 2012, Lara returned to Dad’s Garage as Managing Director, teaming with Dad’s Garage Artistic Director Kevin Gillese.
Lara helped lead the organization through losing their home of 18 years, including securing temporary space and purchasing a long-term home through a nontraditional capital campaign. The new home, located in the Old Fourth Ward, opened to the general public in December 2015.
Lara is a graduate of the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2014. She was named one of the 40 under 40 in the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2015.