Laura Lisette De Leon
Laura De Leon is a dedicated human services professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness and other challenges. Currently, she serves as a Care Coordinator at Mariposa Women and Family Center in Anaheim, California, and as Associate Manager with Illumination Health + Home. In these roles, she leads team meetings, provides guidance to case managers, and ensures that clients receive the resources and support they need to achieve stability. Her work is deeply rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to empowering others.
Over the course of her career, Laura has worked in a wide range of roles, starting as a housing navigator and progressing through case manager, ICMS case manager, lead case manager, and ultimately Associate Manager in 2024. She has gained extensive experience working with diverse populations, navigating complex challenges such as chronic homelessness, substance use, and mental health needs. Her day-to-day responsibilities are hands-on and multifaceted, including attending court with clients, coordinating visits to detox facilities and sober living programs, searching for affordable housing, and linking clients to essential resources like Be Well and Telecare. Laura focuses on creating individualized care plans and serving as a steady support system for clients until they can achieve long-term success on their own.
Laura holds an Associate of Arts in Human Services and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She values the journey of growth, both for herself and for her clients, and takes pride in the tangible outcomes of her work. For her, the most rewarding moments come from witnessing client success stories—seeing individuals overcome significant challenges and gain the independence and stability they need to thrive. Her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to her clients have made her a trusted leader and advocate in the nonprofit community.
• University of Phoenix - BA, Psych
• University of Phoenix - AA, Human Service Associate
What do you attribute your success to?
Not giving up. Literally, there were times I just was like, okay, I'm done, I'm over it, but I stood my ground and kept going. I didn't throw in the towel even when things got difficult.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to truly believe in myself. Embracing confidence in my own abilities has allowed me to pursue opportunities I might have otherwise hesitated to take, tackle challenges head-on, and continue growing even when the path wasn’t clear. Believing in myself has become the foundation for how I approach my career and professional development.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Challenge yourself, and don't give up, and work hard for whatever you believe in.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I face is dealing with different personalities, both with staff and with clients, trying to come together and work together. Sometimes I deal with people who have an attitude where they think they're owed something, and that's very challenging because we all have to work for what we want or what we want to succeed in. As for opportunities, right now there's an opportunity to grow as a manager. I applied for another management position and have an interview on Thursday for that position, so that's an opportunity I'm hoping to get.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being truthful. You know, to yourself, to your colleagues, to the clients. Always be truthful and straight with whatever the case may be.