Dr. Laura Guerra-Cardus serves as Deputy Director for the Texas office of the Children’s Defense Fund.
She leads CDF’s policy initiatives – including the #SickOfItTX grassroots campaign for healthcare coverage – and is a leading member of the Cover Texas Now and Children’s Healthcare Coverage coalitions which work with statewide partners to ensure that all Texas children have access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage. Since 2008 the Coalitions have connected over a million additional children with health coverage. As part of her work, Laura oversees CDF-Texas work in a variety of policy issues including the wellbeing of immigrant children. In 2009, 2010 and 2014 Laura served as CDF-Texas’ Interim Director.
Laura is a graduate of Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. After graduating from medical school, Laura served as a Fellow in the Coro Fellowship Program in Public Affairs – St. Louis. In 2013, Laura was awarded Rumbo’s Mujeres Destacadas award for her public service.