Executive Director, Ascencia
As executive director of Ascencia since 2018, Laura Duncan has grown the Glendale-based nonprofit by more than 95% through program expansion and service enhancements to address homelessness. The organization serves Glendale, Burbank, West Hollywood and Northeast L.A. Duncan joined the nonprofit in 2014 as the director of programs, bringing decades of nonprofit leadership, education and clinical services. She’s also the chief executive and co-owner of a real estate and rentals business in Orange County, and a member of the Glendale Rotary and Glendale Kiwanis Service Clubs. As federal Housing and Urban Development funding delays threatened programs in early 2026, she publicly championed advocacy to restore and sustain critical housing services.