Full Biography for Laura Malakoff

Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Hope School District

Biograpy of Laura Malakoff

I am the mother of three sons. Josh (age 6) and David (age 10) attend Hope School and Zach (age 13) attends La Colina Jr. High. I have been married for 18 years to Michael Brown.

I earned a Master's in City and Regional Planning and a Ph.D. in Housing from Cornell University. I am the author of Housing Options for the Elderly, a book exploring innovative alternatives to nursing homes. My work includes conducting survey research for UCSB's Office of Budget and Planning, teaching at Lesley College in Massachusetts, providing housing services to the elderly, and working as an evaluator of federal programs.

In 1995-97, I served on the Monte Vista School Site Council and, in 1997, was elected to the Hope School Site Council. I was on the Safe Routes to Hope School Committee, which successfully lobbied for sidewalks in the neighborhood. I co-chaired two PTA committees and regularly attend PTA meetings. I volunteer regularly in my children's classrooms, regularly attend Hope School Board meetings, and have participated in the planning of the newly reopened Hope School.

I currently serve as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Community Housing Corporation.