Lara D.

Lara D. is an experienced public policy professional currently serving as the Midwest Public Policy Manager at Waymo since November 2025. Previously, Lara worked at Airbnb from January 2022 to November 2025, focusing on public policy for the Midwest and Central U.S. Lara's career also includes significant roles at McGuireWoods Consulting, where responsibilities ranged from Research Associate to Vice President from January 2015 to February 2022. Earlier experience includes serving as Legislative Liaison for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from November 2013 to January 2015, and as a James H. Dunn Fellow in the Governor’s Office of Legislative Affairs in the State of Illinois between August 2012 and November 2013. Lara began a professional journey as a Corps Member with City Year in August 2011. Educationally, Lara earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago in 2019, following a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from DePaul University.