Laurie is the program developer at WRAC and has been a part of planning Iowa NEW Leadership from its inception, and currently coordinates WRAC’s volunteer programs and serves on numerous university-wide committees including the UI Trans Inclusion Committee. She taught public speaking and communication courses at Illinois State University, Kirkwood Community College, and The University of Iowa prior to joining the WRAC staff. Her activism work started at an early age with women’s sports equity and the Equal Rights Amendment campaign, and has continued social justice work through the years with various LGBTQ Pride and feminist movements and organizations. A musician and artist in her spare time, Laurie is a pet photographer and digital artist, and was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2022.