Meet Dr. Laura Duncan of Glendale and LA County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Laura Duncan.

Dr. Laura, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Executive Director Dr. Laura Duncan joined Ascencia in 2014 as the Director of Programs. She has worked in the non-profit and education sectors since 1977 and in a leadership capacity since 1989. She promoted to Acting Executive Director July 1, 2018 and to Executive Director November 1, 2018. Her background includes clinical services; residential treatment; non-public education; adjunct faculty membership; approved dissertation panelist and reader for two universities; vocational rehabilitation; workforce investment; community care youth, dependent adult, and elderly licensed facilities administration; veteran services; and homeless services. Under her leadership, programs and operating budgets grew substantially while third party accreditations with the Board of Education, the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and State Community Care Licensing received the best possible outcomes. Dr. Duncan earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Alliant University and her B.A. in Psychology and M.S. in Counseling degrees from California State University, Fullerton. She is a California state-approved instructor and certified administrator with expertise in Title 22 regulations. In 2017, her course outlines were chosen as the State’s Best Practice Model and in 2022 she was selected as “Woman of the Year” by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. She also co-owns and manages a commercial real estate and rentals business. She fostered six children through LA County DCFS between 1998 – 2007 and is a current member of Rotary International, Kiwanis International, Glendale Chamber of Commerce, West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. This year she has been selected as one of two “Remarkable Women” honored by Soroptimist International of Glendale, CA.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working in the non-profit and education sectors each have their own set of challenges which have to do with funding. Student enrollment and securing public and private funding for non-profits is critical to sustaining these respective types of organizations. Currently, at Ascencia, the Federal Administration’s withholding of previously approved HUD funding for homeless services has caused severe financial challenges for 1/3 of our programs and services that will, if left unfunded, result in many staff positions being eliminated and client tenants losing their housing and in most instances, returning to homelessness after years and decades of housing retention and stability. This issue is nationwide at this moment in time with 170,000 people across the country potentially facing evictions if funding is not restored and continued.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the Executive Director of Ascencia, I report to an all-volunteer Board of Directors comprised of professionals with a variety of expertise and skills sets to ensure that the agency is running efficiently and effectively as evidenced by our financial transparency, Stakeholder Satisfaction, and excellent programs outcomes. I oversee all aspects of the agency including the Operations, Programs, and Development Departments and all that they entail from finance, to facilities, to services, and human resources.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would have to give credit to both of my parents, Griff and Jan Duncan, my beacons who shaped me at me core. They taught me the value of helping others and the importance of supporting philanthropy. I would also like to name a few people who created a huge impact on my life and career. Teri Kelsall, my direct supervisor and someone I consider my mentor from 2002 through 2011, and Ana Wong-MacDonald in 2011 and Debbie Hinckley in 2018 for giving me pivotal opportunities to succeed, grow, and advance my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ascenciaca.org