Laura Kate Bender

Laura Kate Bender is the Vice President, Nationwide Advocacy and Public Policy at the American Lung Association. In her current role, Laura Kate oversees the organization's efforts to advocate for policies to improve lung health, keep our air clean, prevent tobacco use, end lung cancer and help families who face lung disease.

Previously, she served as Assistant Vice President, Nationwide Healthy Air at the American Lung Association, where she led the Healthy Air Campaign, directing outdoor air pollution and climate advocacy initiatives in Washington, DC; field work in multiple states; and coordination of a broad group of national public health and medical organizations. She has also served as the campaign’s lead representative to Congress, advocating for limits on outdoor air pollution to protect public health. Prior to that, she worked in Virginia to implement the Healthy Air Campaign on the state level. She also served on the board of the Virginia Asthma Coalition. Prior to joining the Lung Association, Laura Kate worked as an organizer on clean air issues for Environment America. Laura Kate studied political science and communications at American University in Washington, DC. She lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband and two children.