Laurie grew up in a small Massachusetts town. She ventured to Syracuse University where she met her husband Dave, and then to Rensselaer Polytech for biomedical engineering degrees. Medical research took her to Joslin Diabetes Center, Geisinger Medical Center, Penn State Hershey, and New England Medical Center. She telecommuted to NEMC in Boston long before remote work was a thing. When the kids approached middle school, she took a turn into youth ministry. She served at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church and earned another master’s degree before landing at Lebanon Valley Youth for Christ. Coaching Girls on the Run and operating a coffee shop at Lebanon Farmers Market that focused on providing young people with a worthwhile job experience ignited her passion for developing community.

In 2021 Laurie and Dave founded Chestnut Street Community Center. The initial motivation was to partner with Lebanon County Christian Ministries to establish a 24/7 location for LCCM’s Fresh Start Emergency Shelter. With Laurie as President and full-time volunteer, CSCC now boasts Fresh Start, IU-13 Community Education, three churches, a community garden, and community refrigerator. Her favorite self-care activities are biking and reading.

Panelist: Morning Keynote, Who is my neighbor? A deeper dive.