Lura Barber is the Director of Advancement at Benefits Data Trust. She leads the strategy to cultivate new partnerships and opportunities in support of BDT’s expansion into new geographies. She also oversees the full cycle of cultivation activities from prospecting to executing partnership agreements. 

Lura has nearly 15 years of experience developing and leading programs that increase access to benefits and address the social drivers of health. Prior to joining BDT in 2020, Lura was the Director of Hunger Initiatives at the National Council on Aging, where she led a national campaign to improve SNAP access for older adults through direct service and digital assistance. Lura began her career as a VISTA paralegal at Legal Aid Chicago, where she advocated for seniors in civil legal issues. She has served on the boards of Washington Improv Theater and United Legal Workers Local 2320 and is a professional performer and teacher of improvisational comedy.

Lura has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Gender and Women’s Studies from Grinnell College and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.