ABOUT LAURA

Having spent my lifetime exploring adult development and training I have discovered learning is as essential as unlearning. Noticed the impact of thinking that is expansive versus limiting. Experienced the strain when communication goes sideways. Witnessed first-hand what transpires when people feel seen and heard. Felt the ripple effect of an intentional leader on a team, a workplace, and community.  

My passion is to empower individuals to live in alignment with their values and strengths and bring their best self to their relationships and communities.

As a Coach, Facilitator and Mediator I center human relationships, mindfulness, and communication in my work. I know that at the heart of growing communities and organizations is growing each unique person. I have 25 years of experience exploring both the art and science of adult development while asking leaders to stretch inward for a more embodied leadership to cultivate connected and trusting teams. My workshops and coaching focus on the deeply human need to learn and innate desire to realize one’s full potential.

A front row seat in how humans relate in groups and organizations has provided insight into how much time and energy  is spent on avoiding what is difficult (conversations, people, and projects) managing people’s impressions, seeking external validation, while longing for more confidence to be authentic. Drawing on the wisdom of Brené Brown, David Whyte, Resmaa Menakem and leadership pioneers from Minds at Work, she shares insight on ways to achieve personal transformation and overcome obstacles to change. Her work aligns with the inner development goals (being, thinking, relating, collaborating, acting) put forth by the UN as a pre-requisite for all sustainable global change. 

I have an MA in Comparative Education from the University of Maryland College Park, am a Co-Active trained coach, Mediator, and Minds at Work trained facilitator. My decades of experience in coaching, adult development, human resources and the co-operative movement create a unique alchemy of lightness, wisdom and a listening presence .

My passion for communication started when I turned 18 in Berlin on a study abroad scholarship for high schoolers seeking to be youth ambassadors. I arrived at my German High School with 3 weeks of German under my belt and learned to love finding creative ways to communicate, connect and learn. I loved this "all in"  learning so much that I went on to attend the Universite of Grenoble in France and later teach English in Nagoya, Japan.  Communicating and connecting is an engaging interactive practice and can not be mastered alone or by reading a book. We make changes and improve by practicing, learning, listening and reflecting, and modifying. I look forward to learning with you.

• Built the first Human Resources Department for a thriving Co-op, successfully developing and innovating to meet its rapid growth from 60 to 120 staff, at $5M to $23M sales.
• Professional Leadership Coach for business leaders and emerging leaders in areas of reaching goals, relational leadership, overcoming resistance to change, and self-mastery for more fulfilling leadership careers.
• Facilitated Leadership Team Meetings and Retreats on topics of conscious leadership, cultivating trust and resiliency,  values based leadership, immunity to change, engagement, positive culture, embodied leadership, relational intelligence, conversational intelligence, strategies to reduce stress and burnout, strategies for women leaders and more.
• Initiated and implemented on-going year-round diversity, equity and inclusion learning program with required monthly group conversations and learning for every employee.
• Strategically mentored new Human Resources leaders, orienting and guiding in areas of human development, intentional and inclusive communication and compliance.
• Trained senior leaders and presented at national conferences on adaptive leadership including conscious communication, resiliency, leveraging strengths, and self-awareness in the US and Canada.