​Our Team

LVA works with a diverse group of consultants across California.
​Laura leads each of the projects and assembles teams based on each project's needs and priorities. 

Laura Valles, MSW, CCC, ACSTH

President, Coach and Senior Consultant Laura Valles is an impact-oriented coach and consultant dedicated to advancing community and social transformation. Her commitment to social justice was born from her experiences growing up in the predominately Latino community of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles. Laura identifies as a cis-gender female. Her preferred pronouns are she, her, and ella. 
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As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Laura encountered first-hand how institutionalized racism, disinvestment, and classism impacted her family and the broader community. Her passionate commitment to addressing these conditions began in high school and continues today in her role as a community and organizational development consultant, strategic planner, community facilitator, and trainer. Laura is trained in a number of facilitation approaches and is also a certified community coach.

Over the last 25 years, Laura has partnered with people and organizations to improve the lives of children, families, and communities across the state of California. Her focus areas include community building, early care and education, child welfare, civic engagement, health, environmental justice, and mental health.

​Laura holds an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Social Work from San Jose State University.  Laura is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and bi-cultural. Laura loves to travel and hopes to retire abroad so she can continue to explore the world's delicious cuisine, amazing people, and beautiful landscapes. Laura is passionate about visual arts and spends much of her time lost in her painting - whether it be art journaling, watercolor, or acrylic. Laura is also an avid gardener and aspires to grow all her own fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Sal Aguilar

Senior Consultant
Mr. Aguilar has over 20 years of experience helping clients address the question of "where" by developing custom software applications, integrating different GIS and routing technologies, conducting field data collection, utilizing Web based GIS, and leveraging databases used in spatial analysis. Past clients include Casey Family Programs, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.