Laura Archuleta strongly believes, “a complete community includes housing choices for all families." She continues to be at the forefront of driving long-term solutions for the housing crisis through collaborative efforts among nonprofit organizations, public-sector agencies, and private companies. Under Laura’s leadership, Jamboree creates complete, healthy communities where residents thrive as they live, work, shop and play in their local neighborhoods. Under her leadership, Jamboree's asset portfolio has grown to a market value of $3.2 billion, directly benefiting over 20,000 Californians.
While she’s proud of Jamboree’s expanding portfolio, it’s the faces behind these numbers that matter to her most. In 2001, her desire to go beyond housing and provide needed services for residents, and her vision for healthy communities, motivated Jamboree to start an in-house Resident Services Group – one of the industry’s first – that fosters learning, healthy living and community building for residents. These crucial services empower Jamboree residents to excel in school, cultivate strong friendships and develop more active lifestyles. Laura remains passionate about the award-winning quality of Jamboree housing and services in neighborhoods throughout California.
A gifted visionary and an exceptional innovator, she simultaneously creates a spirit of collaboration among her staff and external partners, while relaying her inspiring sense of mission and maximizing the talents and skills of those around her. She has a dynamic directorial style that keeps Jamboree on the cutting-edge of the industry. And, people have taken notice: In 2014, Laura was named “Person of the Year” by the Southern California BIA 55+ Housing Council for her commitment to providing innovative housing for seniors. Laura brings decades of experience serving on numerous boards, including the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors, California Housing Consortium, California Building Industry Association (CBIA), ULI Orange County / Inland Empire Advisory Board, and United Way Orange County. She is also a founding member of UC Irvine's Livable Cities Lab which leverages academic expertise to study the impact of affordable housing.
Laura’s personal commitment to affordable housing spans more than 30 years. Her own family experience drew her initially to the nonprofit housing sector. Her mother was born and lived in public housing growing up – instilling in Laura a strong sense of community and compassion.
Prior to joining Jamboree, she held several public sector positions, and her advocacy has led to the production and/or preservation of more than 10,000 high quality homes for low-income families, seniors, veterans, and transitional age youth. What does she love about her job? “I believe we have a tremendous impact on so many people’s lives and the way we go about doing that continues to change.”
Guiding principle: Creating hope for people when they feel they have no hope or no future is a powerful motivator.
Awards:
2024 Vision & Visionaries Honoree, Cal State Fullerton