Laura Kate Bender, National Assistant Vice President, Healthy Air at American Lung Association

Laura Kate has spent more than a decade working for protections from air pollution and climate change. She currently serves as National Assistant Vice President, Healthy Air at the American Lung Association, where she leads the Healthy Air Campaign, directing advocacy initiatives in Washington, DC; field staff working at the state level; and coordination of a broad group of national public health and medical organizations. She previously served as the campaign’s lead representative to Congress, advocating for limits on outdoor air pollution to protect public health. Prior to that, she worked in Virginia to implement the Healthy Air Campaign on the state level. She also served on the board of the Virginia Asthma Coalition. Prior to joining the Lung Association, Laura Kate worked as an organizer on clean air issues for Environment America. Laura Kate studied political science and communications at American University in Washington, DC. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband and two children.