About Us
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Laura Aguirre Polo
DIRECTOR
Laura works at the intersection of workforce integration, innovation, immigration, and inclusive economic development. With a Master of Public Health and a Graduate Diploma in Community Health & Social Justice, she brings a systems-thinking and cross-sector approach to leadership.
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Laura moved to the United States at 16 years old to learn English and pursue higher education. In 2018, she relocated to Newfoundland and Labrador for graduate school, where she quickly developed a deep connection to the province and chose to make NL her home.
Laura currently leads Amal Unite & Empower, a multi-stream provincial workforce integration initiative housed at Amal Youth and Family Centre. Under her leadership, the initiative has grown into a province-wide ecosystem supporting newcomers, employers, and communities through employment readiness, employer engagement, workforce integration, wellness and retention programming, and inclusive workforce development initiatives.
Since launching in 2024, Amal Unite & Empower has supported hundreds of newcomer professionals in securing employment across Newfoundland and Labrador while building strong partnerships with employers, industry leaders, government, and community organizations. Her work focuses on strengthening workforce participation, long-term retention, and the connection between immigration, innovation, and economic growth.
Prior to her role at Amal, Laura played a key role at , the province’s technology innovation hub, where she led the Belonging Initiative and worked to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and immigration pathways within the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Manager, Amal Unite & Empower
Manager, Amal Unite & Empower
Laura works at the intersection of workforce integration, innovation, immigration, and inclusive economic development. With a Master of Public Health and a Graduate Diploma in Community Health & Social Justice, she brings a systems-thinking and cross-sector approach to leadership.
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Laura moved to the United States at 16 years old to learn English and pursue higher education. In 2018, she relocated to Newfoundland and Labrador for graduate school, where she quickly developed a deep connection to the province and chose to make NL her home.
Laura currently leads Amal Unite & Empower, a multi-stream provincial workforce integration initiative housed at Amal Youth and Family Centre. Under her leadership, the initiative has grown into a province-wide ecosystem supporting newcomers, employers, and communities through employment readiness, employer engagement, workforce integration, wellness and retention programming, and inclusive workforce development initiatives.
Since launching in 2024, Amal Unite & Empower has supported hundreds of newcomer professionals in securing employment across Newfoundland and Labrador while building strong partnerships with employers, industry leaders, government, and community organizations. Her work focuses on strengthening workforce participation, long-term retention, and the connection between immigration, innovation, and economic growth.
Prior to her role at Amal, Laura played a key role at , the province’s technology innovation hub, where she led the Belonging Initiative and worked to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion, and immigration pathways within the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.