Lauren McLean was born in , . Her family moved to , Texas when she was 18 months old, where she lived through her freshman year in high school. Just before her sophomore year of high school, Lauren’s family moved to the tiny village of Cazenovia in rural Upstate New York where she met her future husband, Scott, on her 16th birthday.

She attended the University of Notre Dame. She studied in France her sophomore year and upon her return was a member of the rowing team and led and developed social justice seminars through the University’s Center for Social Concerns. She earned a fellowship to study public policy during the summer of 1994 through the Hesburgh Program of Public Service., making possible her introduction to the West while working for Governor Marc Racicot of Montana at the Montana Consensus Council and Northwest Power Planning Council. Lauren returned to Notre Dame and graduated with honors in 1997. She married her high school sweetheart, Scott, that summer. Less than a year later, they followed Lauren’s dream to return to the intermountain west, moving to Boise in 1998. Lauren earned a Masters in Public Administration from Boise State University and completed her thesis through the Andrus Center of Public Policy, focusing on the role of consensus building in resolving policy disputes.

Lauren first entered Boise politics in 2001 as the campaign manager of the historic Boise Foothills Open Space Campaign. Through her volunteer and professional work she’s demonstrated her commitment to economic opportunity, sustainable communities, smart growth, parks and open spaces, strong neighborhoods, well-funded schools, and an economy that propels Boise into the future.

Appointed to Boise City Council in 2011, Lauren is currently Council President. Most recently, she led the effort to pass Boise’s 100% Clean Energy Plan. She also serves the community as a member of the Board of The Andrus Center at Boise State University and The Deans’ Council at the School of Public Service at Boise State. She served on the steering committee to develop the Boise Metro Chamber Leadership Boise Alumni Association and was a board member of her neighborhood association, board officer of Conservation Voters for , member of the Boise City Planning and Zoning Association, and President of the Boise Parks Commission.

Professionally, she owns a philanthropy consulting business and leads the The Idaho Investor Network, a non-profit organization that helps donors support civic engagement and advocacy programs that align with their values.

Lauren is an avid trail runner, mountain biker, backpacker, skier and reader. Her family enjoys all Boise has to offer. She can be spotted early in the morning running Boise’s foothills trails, commuting by bike to her office and meetings, and whenever possible she and Scott love to explore Idaho’s beautiful backcountry by foot, ski, or raft with their children, Madeleine and Aiden.