District 4 - Councilmember Laura Pastor

Phoenix native Laura Pastor is a fifth-generation Arizonan who has proudly served on the Phoenix City Council since 2014, representing the heart of the city’s diverse and dynamic District 4. Re-elected to her third term in 2022, Councilwoman Pastor continues to champion policies that create vibrant, safe, and connected communities for all residents.

A graduate of St. Mary’s High School and Arizona State University, Laura comes from a long line of educators and public servants. Her grandparents worked in Eastern Arizona’s mining towns, while her parents began their careers as classroom teachers.

Before entering public service, Laura taught in the Roosevelt and Isaac Elementary School Districts, working primarily with at-risk students. She launched an after-school tutoring program and created a unique accountability system that strengthened collaboration between teachers, students, and families. Her work in the classroom continues to guide her efforts to improve educational equity across Phoenix.

Laura served for more than a decade on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, where she was a driving force behind strategic planning, student success initiatives, and participatory governance.

Today, Laura serves as Community Liaison at Phoenix College, where she builds bridges between higher education and neighborhoods—connecting residents with opportunities for learning, workforce development, and civic engagement. Previously, she led Early Outreach programs at both South Mountain and Phoenix College, helping first-generation students access college pathways.

A champion for equitable growth and sustainable infrastructure, Councilwoman Pastor chairs the Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors. She has led efforts to expand public transit, enhance neighborhood safety, and strengthen Phoenix’s role as a transit-oriented, inclusive city.

In addition, she co-chairs the Fast-Track Cities Ad Hoc Committee, advancing the city’s goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030, and serves on the Workforce Ad Hoc Committee, promoting pathways to high-quality jobs for Phoenix residents. Her service extends beyond City Hall—she has been active on numerous local boards, including the Encanto Village Planning Committee, the Maricopa Transportation Advisory Board, and the Hispanic Advisory Board of Maricopa Community Colleges.

Laura lives in Phoenix with her husband, Henry Cotto, a former major league baseball player and minor league coach. They are proud parents of four children: Henry Jr., Claudia, Eduardo, and Sophia.