Laura Howell is the Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Community Services, a statewide nonprofit association working to strengthen community-based services for Marylanders with developmental disabilities. She has spent her career working to improve the health, wellbeing and opportunities for vulnerable citizens, including work in the areas of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and aging. Laura's accomplishments have included developing innovative programs as well as extensive work in the legislative arena leading successful advocacy campaigns. Laura holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s of Community Planning, both from the University of Maryland.