Lara Otsuka is SMRLS' Director of Business Administration. Ms. Otsuka works to advance SMRLS' strategic plan as well as oversee IT, Client Intake and Hotline, regional leaders and compliance issues. Before joining SMRLS, she acted as the Operations Director for United Way St. Croix Valley. Prior to moving to Minnesota and beginning her nonprofit work, Ms. Otsuka received her Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law and spent several years practicing litigation in Chicago. She also serves on the board of directors of the Zephyr Theater in Stillwater. In addition to theater, she enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two teenage daughters.