Lazara Paz-Gonzalez, DrPH(s) (She/Her) is a Queer Latina/x, born and raised in New Jersey. She is the Senior Director of Youth Services at Hetrick-Martin Institute and is passionate about working on social, health, and community justice issues that impact marginalized communities. Lazara is an experienced program planner, strategic thinker, educator, and trainer with over 20 years of national practice in public health programs and community engagement. A key focus of Lazara’s work has focused on- evaluating the effectiveness of interventions for LGBTQIA+ youth, as well as developing empowerment models focused on young woman of color.
Lazara graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from William Paterson University in 2002, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She is currently finishing her doctoral degree in Public Health, focusing on Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity from Tulane University.