PERLA HERNANDEZ LASTRA
Principal; Senior Project Manager
S.L. Leonard & Associates, Inc.
Perla Hernandez Lastra came to the USA from Mexico with her family when she was twelve and a half, not speaking any English. Her parents instilled a work ethic that helped her excel in school and earn her B.Sc.& M.ENG. engineering degrees from Cornell University. After being recruited by the largest general contractor in the country and rising to the position of project manager with projects such as the Marciano Art Foundation, Great Wolf Lodge, Terranea Resort and hospitals, schools and sports facilities, Hernandez Lastra joined project management firm S.L. Leonard & Associates in 2017 and in late 2022 was promoted to principal.
Hernandez Lastra manages teams of architects, engineers, consultants and contractors on behalf of owners such as California Community Foundation, Gateways Hospital, Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families, Villa Esperanza Services, Community Corporation of Santa Monica and Primestor (Jordan Downs Plaza).