Loralei is a fellow for the Grassroots Project at HSRI, which aims to support disability grassroots advocacy nationwide. As the daughter of working-class immigrants of color, she is highly dedicated to improving the delivery of public services and supports for marginalized individuals, particularly for low-income populations and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Driven by her desire to serve the public and guided by her lived experiences, she strives to empower vulnerable communities to achieve economic mobility and resilience. Loralei has extensive experience in federal policy research and analysis, program implementation, grassroots organizing, and qualitative and quantitative research. She is also skilled in designing campaigns and effective advocacy strategies for diverse coalitions.
Prior to joining HSRI, Loralei worked in public policy roles at the White House under the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) under Chairman Bernie Sanders, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other national advocacy organizations and think tanks. Her work has focused on a broad range of issue areas, including housing, labor, education, health care, and technology policy.
In her personal time, Loralei enjoys snowboarding, spending time with family and friends, and watching movies with her cat.