Laura Benavidez, MBA is the administrator of compliance for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Prior to this role, she was the director at Boston Public Schools. Boston Public Schools and before that she was the interim co-director at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). She has over 20 years’ experience in child nutrition including operations, meal development and procurement. Laura earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology and Master of Business Administration. Since starting at TDA, her BPS' Food and Nutrition Services department, her focus has been to be continuously provide guidance and support to all participants in Texas’ 12 nutrition programs. Her goal is to continue to build compliance and accountability for all programs to increase access to healthy meals to Texas families.  (Austin, TX)