Dr. Monica Larson

Dr. Monica Larson's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, education, faith, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Monica and her twin sister, Veronica, were the youngest of six children. Their mother, through unwavering strength and determination, instilled in them the values of hard work, integrity, and the belief that with education, passion, and dedication, anything is possible. Those early lessons became the foundation for Monica's life of public service and leadership. She graduated from Wheaton Central High School in 1987.

Monica began her professional career in 1990 as a paralegal with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, where she assisted in researching and preparing criminal cases involving violent offenses, sexual assaults, property crimes, and drug trafficking. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in the criminal justice system and the pursuit of justice.

In 1997, she transitioned into the private sector as a Project Manager with Lucent Technologies before joining United Technologies as a Sales Representative in 2002. From 2005 to 2011, Monica served as a Senior Specialist with Chevron Corporation, where she managed compliance tracking, coordinated site safety inspections, and designed and administered a nationwide compliance database. During this same period, she volunteered countless evenings and weekends as a reserve volunteer with the Antioch Police Department, further demonstrating her dedication to public safety and community service.

While working full-time, Monica remained committed to her education. She earned an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix, followed by a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Crime Scene Investigation from Kaplan University. She later earned a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University while completing an internship at Pasadena Recovery Center.

Driven by a passion for understanding human behavior and helping others heal, Monica continued her academic journey by earning a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's APA-accredited Los Angeles campus.

From 2014 to 2015, Dr. Larson provided treatment services for individuals convicted of sexual offenses through Orange Psychological Services under contract with the State of California. She later provided psychotherapy and victim services from 2015 to 2019 in collaboration with Dr. Ekerette Essien, supporting individuals as they navigated trauma, recovery, and personal growth.

Today, Dr. Monica Larson serves as Henderson City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem, where she continues her lifelong commitment to serving others. Her leadership is guided by the belief that government should be transparent, accessible, and focused on improving the lives of the people it serves. She approaches every decision with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to putting people before politics.

Whether advocating for public safety, economic development, quality education, or enhancing the quality of life for Henderson residents, Dr. Larson remains dedicated to building a stronger, more connected community where every voice is heard and every resident has the opportunity to thrive.

Dr. Larson is committed to listening first, acting with integrity, and delivering real results for the people of Henderson.