Laura has nearly 15 years of experience in technology based economic development. Stemming from her own startup in college, Laura began this line of work as Director of Operations and Communications Manager for the USC/Columbia Technology Incubator. The Incubator serves founders in their startup journeys. During her tenure, the Incubator’s portfolio of 45 tenant companies reflected approximately $45M in annual revenue and attracted media attention from Inc. Magazine, who recognized the Incubator as one of the top 3 university tied programs “to watch.” As local momentum continued, Laura joined her alma mater's newly formed Office of Economic Engagement (OEE) as a founding team member and Director of Communications. OEE serves as the single convergence point for industry, researchers, entrepreneurs and government officials looking to engage with the university. The office connects businesses large and small with the resources of South Carolina’s flagship university, cultivates innovative technologies, champions entrepreneurship and builds partnerships that drive economic and workforce development.Laura’s most rewarding professional experience began in 2017 when Secretary Bobby Hitt enlisted her as the new Managing Director of Innovation for the South Carolina Department of Commerce. In this role, Laura established the agency’s core role in the state’s innovation economy as the lead facilitator and financier of ecosystem development initiatives. Her team embraced a risk-taking culture as they identified, developed, and deployed new resources to support South Carolina’s business community in their commercialization of new technological opportunities. Inspired by her in-laws foundation, The McIntosh Foundation, Laura is currently exploring the area of impact investing. She hopes to establish a novel group model that serves as a trusted partner to small-medium sized foundations who value the responsibility of social entrepreneurs in germinating and scaling radical, innovative climate technologies.
Listed skills include Leadership, Consulting, Social Media, Brand Implementation, and 23 others.