Laura B.
Senior Advisor
Laura is a visionary leader with 25+ years of experience holding system executive positions in Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, and Workforce Development. Laura has led Healthcare Anchor Mission Employment Commitments, such as outside in/local hiring and inside up/career pathways. Laura was part of a small national team who developed the Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN) Workforce Impact Commitment.
In 2014, Laura was appointed board chair of the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Laura previously served as a business representative on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council from 2004-2014. In addition, Laura completed a 25-year term as the state chair of the Minnesota State Healthcare Education-Industry Partnership Council/HealthForce Minnesota. Laura is the past chair of the Minneapolis Workforce Investment Board, and past elected chair and officer of the National Governor’s Association of State Workforce Board Chairs. In 2023, the Minnesota Hospital Association Awarded Laura and her team, the State Workforce Partnership and Pipeline Team Award.
In 2016 Laura’s work was awarded National Fund for Workforce Solutions/CareerSTAT’s Frontline Healthcare Worker Champion Award for career pathway programs. Laura was invited to the White House twice for her work in apprenticeships and career pathways. Laura served on the White House Healthcare Career Pathway Taskforce. In 2015, Laura received the Health Care Workforce Champion “Individual Leader Award” from the Minnesota Hospital Association. In addition, Laura received the inaugural Minnesota Vision Award for Workforce Development.
Laura began her career and education as a medical assistant and EMT, continuing her education through graduate education and advancing her career into executive roles. Laura’s education includes an Associate of Science Degree with Honors from Normandale Community College, Bachelors of Science in Health Care Management, Class Valedictorian from Saint Mary’s University, Graduates Studies in Human Development from Saint Mary’s University, and an Honorary Doctor of Business Degree from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, in addition to numerous healthcare, human resources, and coaching certifications.
Laura is nationally known for leading and pioneering work focused on developing education and employment paths and public-private partnerships that provide economic success to the individuals, organizations, and community. Laura specializes in partnering and building teams to create and operationalize career and job programs to advance individuals with barriers to employment.
Laura is and has been involved in many external organizations including St. Catherine University Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Board, Governor’s Workforce Development Board, National Governor’s Association of State Board Chairs, National Fund for Workforce Solutions/CareerSTAT Executive Committee, Healthcare Anchor Network, Minneapolis Workforce Investment Board, and HealthForce, Minnesota’s Healthcare Workforce Center of Excellence. Laura was appointed to serve on the Legislative Commission on Health Care Access and served as the state chair for the HRSA Health Care Workforce Primary Care Grant. Laura is a regular speaker and content expert for numerous publications focused on healthcare workforce best practices.
Previously, Minnesota Hospital Association awarded Laura’s long-time and former employer Fairview Health Services with the “Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace Award due to the employee career and workforce retention strategies implemented under Laura’s direction. Laura has received many state and national honors such as the Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit Award, Minnesota Vision Workforce Development Award, State Healthcare Promotion Award, four times, State Community Health Award, Community College Individual Partner of the Year and State Health Care Workforce Champion Award for an Individual and for an organization.