Lara Kyriakou is the Associate Director of Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy at The Education Trust–New York, and coordinates Raising NY, a statewide coalition of early childhood, business, education and health organizations dedicated to supporting the learning potential of young children. Lara is dedicated to centering equity within all early childhood systems, with a focus on improving long-term outcomes for infants and toddlers who live in low-income households, children of color, children and parents with special needs, and other under-served groups across New York State. 

Prior to joining Ed Trust–NY, Lara led the early childhood work at a collective impact initiative at The Children’s Aid Society where she worked with community stakeholders to strengthen early childhood systems in the South Bronx. Lara has also worked in research settings at New York University and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as community-based positions as a home visitor for families with young children and as an infant and toddler teacher in Philadelphia. 

Lara holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in interdisciplinary studies in human development and a bachelor’s degree from Pace University in psychology with a minor in women and gender studies.