Laurie Russman manages day-to-day operations and supervises special projects for CRP since 2007. She organizes events and policy briefings in collaboration with Mexican and U.S. partners, oversees the dissemination of CRP research and publications and is instrumental as a point person for myriad projects. Prior to CRP, Laurie worked in various capacities in the field of documentary film and television, including writing for a documentary magazine, traveling throughout Latin America and Africa as a field producer, and negotiating music licensing and archival contracts. She segued from TV to the unsung (and notoriously low-wage) field of motherhood and parenting.  It was the latter which provoked her deep interest in education and civil rights, particularly for children with special learning needs. Laurie received her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan and completed a master’s in fine arts at UCLA in the School of Theater, Film and Television.