Lara is an award-winning business journalist who spent almost a decade as a writer and editor in Toronto before becoming a communications consultant. She has been teaching in the Algonquin Public Relations program since 2014 and became coordinator of the program in 2016. She is a recipient of the Algonquin Students’ Association Excellence in Teaching Award.

In addition to her full-time role at Algonquin, Lara continues to work with a small number of clients in the Ottawa area. She has been a member of the volunteer communications committee for the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre for almost a decade.

Lara holds a Master of Public Relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University, a Journalism degree from Ryerson University, a Psychology degree from the University of Ottawa and a Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing from Humber College.