Meet Lara,

one of our Partners.

Lara Jakubowski (she/her) brings more than two decades of leadership in the social sector, spanning community development finance, nonprofit management, and capacity building. She is known for her practical, evidence-based approach to helping organizations strengthen sustainability, collaboration, and impact. Her career has been inspired by the people and organizations committed to addressing economic justice.

Since joining La Piana in 2017, Lara has partnered with nonprofits and foundations across the country on strategic planning, business planning, mergers and partnerships, and financial modeling. A former Executive Director and lender to affordable housing developers, she combines analytical rigor with empathy and an ability to make complex financial and organizational challenges accessible to diverse stakeholders.

Before La Piana, Lara served as Executive Director of the Community Spaces Network, where she expanded national programs supporting shared spaces and services for nonprofits. She previously led Impact Development Fund, a nonprofit CDFI lender, doubling assets under management. She also ran her own consulting practice focused on financial strategy and collaboration.

Lara teaches Nonprofit Financial Management at the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs.

Learn more about Lara in this La Piana Consulting staff interview.

🎓 Education

✏️ Select Publications