Laurie Smolenski

Laurie Smolenski has a diverse work experience spanning various roles and industries. Laurie'smost recent position is as the Director of Development at ideas42, starting in 2022. Prior to that, they served as the Director of Development at the Global Center on Cooperative Security from 2020 to 2022. From 2018 to 2020, Laurie worked as an Outreach and Development Officer at the Institute for Economics & Peace. Laurie also held multiple roles at The New York Immigration Coalition, including Senior Development Manager of Foundation Relationships, Development Consultant, and Development Manager from 2013 to 2018. In 2016, Laurie worked as a Human Rights employee at the MacArthur Foundation. Laurie has also worked as a Contributor at Waging Nonviolence, Advocacy Coordinator at Jacob A. Riis Settlement House, and Research Assistant at UC Santa Barbara. Laurie started their career as a Regular Contributor at Detroit Metro Times in 2007 and briefly served as a Policy Intern at Amnesty International in 2011.

Laurie Smolenski has a strong educational background, with degrees from various prestigious institutions. Laurie began their undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan in 2003, focusing on Romance Languages. The following year, they transferred to Wayne State University and completed their Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Urban Studies in 2007.

In 2010, Laurie pursued a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Human Rights at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, which they successfully completed in 2011. Building on their previous studies, they decided to further expand their knowledge in the field of peace and conflict studies and enrolled at The University of Queensland in 2016. There, they attained a Master of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies in 2017.

Overall, Laurie Smolenski's education has focused on various aspects of social sciences, including sociology, urban studies, international relations, human rights, peace, and conflict studies, as well as a strong emphasis on language and cultural studies.