Community Knowledge Exchange Partner

Laura Anderson is a Director at the Child Protection Branch, where she oversees operational programs that work to protect children, and youth and is second to Manitoba’s statutory director. Laura has stepped into the acting role of the Deputy Director on many occasions. She presently oversees initiatives that focus on improving the child welfare system, and encompassing policy and program develop that is trauma informed and family centred. Laura has dedicated almost two decades of her career working in the field of child protection, from conducting front line child abuse investigations to the oversite of service delivery and program development at an executive management level. Laura has been pivotal in supporting the child welfare system through various initiatives, including the implementation of recent changes to the Child and Family Services Act. She is driven by advancing ideas and equitable practices and policies that support healthy development and well-being for children youth connected to child welfare and other intervening human services systems. Laura obtained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work from the University of Manitoba. She entered the world of child protection work in 2006 and never left. During her career, she has had the privilege to visit numerous First Nation communities, and greatly values the teachings she has been gifted with. She has a passion for the work and seeks to find ways to better the systems that are designed to support families.