Lara Center has been part of the Foreign Service community since 2002 when her husband, Adam, began A-100. They have served overseas and domestically in Guadalajara, Caracas, Luxembourg, DC and Hanoi.
Lara and Adam returned to Falls Church last summer with their son, David and daughter, Abigail. Lara has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, Masters in Public Administration and Masters in Museum Studies.
Lara worked as a museum consultant while living in Hanoi. Lara worked directly with the Vietnamese Women’s Museum on new lesson plans, development of a Discovery Room and outreach to international schools. Lara served on the Board of AAFSW from 2012-2016 and 2019-2020. Lara is a former Chair for the annual Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) award, where she oversaw the award process from announcements, formation of selection committees, planning the ceremony and honoring the recipients. While also serving as 1st Vice President, Lara broadened her portfolio, provided leadership and worked as a team player on various activities to include AAFSW’s merit scholarships, support of family member employment, online FSHub, increasing membership, and reviewing the mission of AAFSW. Lara is the 2009 recipient of the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad for her work at Luxembourg’s National Museum of Military History.