Laura is a freelance professional who works on various projects to improve opportunities for people in the North East. She spent 17 years at Changing Lives, leaving as Head of Operations. Starting at nineteen, Laura has worked in harm reduction and drug and alcohol treatment services, driven by a strong commitment to addressing systemic issues faced by those who experience stigma and chronic exclusion.
Currently, Laura freelances with local women's charities to help shape policies and systems that meet their needs. She also serves as Growth and Development Director for her partner’s family-owned flooring business, Floor.co. Floor.co specialises in domestic and commercial flooring across the North East, and has an additional focuses on equipping local young people, often marginalised, with skills to remain economically active. Laura enjoys securing and expanding commercial contracts with local authorities and housing companies, and she is exploring opportunities to create more opportunities that offers disadvantaged individuals alternative education and skilled job opportunities.
Laura has extensive expertise in leading organisational growth, governance, and innovation with large scale teams, as well as securing funding to pilot new approaches. Over the years, she has led major research and system change projects and is recognised for co-developing policy messages locally and nationally to support women experiencing persistent trauma. She is motivated by transformational institutional change that values community and individual empowerment.
Building strong connections, nurturing relationships, and ensuring projects reach completion are central to Laura’s work. She continually seeks approaches that promote compassion, justice, and creative solutions to meet community needs.
Laura is a 2011 Winston Churchill Fellow and holds a Master’s degree from Worcester University in domestic abuse and sexual violence. She is also a Trustee of Agenda Alliance and a Director of One Million Women and Girls, a feminist campaign group.