2025 40 Under 40 Winners

Laura’s leadership has propelled the Foundation’s annual fundraising from $276,031 in FY23 to $400,667 in FY24, and is on track for $467,653 in FY25 year-K31to-date, reflecting sustained growth and impact. She is leading a spring 2025 campaign for a $120 million Critical Care Tower, including a goal of $3 million in Foundation support, which would represent the largest single campaign achievement in the Foundation’s history. 

Under Laura’s direction, the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation funded $40,000 in mental health and substance abuse programs for local schools, $30,000 for pediatric therapy, and $58,000 for expanded behavioral health services. 

To diversify engagement, Laura introduced Tiptoes & Tuxedos, a new event aimed at cultivating younger donors, and revitalized the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation's payroll deduction program through strategic orientations, which enhanced digital outreach, and a loyalty program with prize drawings. 

I never set out to work in healthcare philanthropy—but the relationships I built along the way led me here. Board members I had worked with closely reached out and encouraged me to take this step. It was their trust and belief in me that opened the door, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

In nonprofit leadership, relationships are everything. Healthcare philanthropy is deeply personal—people give, engage, and advocate because they care about something bigger than themselves. Our job is to create that space for connection, to align passion with purpose, and to build trust that lasts.

What started as an opportunity has grown into a calling. Every day, I’m inspired by the chance to serve alongside a dedicated team and community, working to improve access to care and strengthen health outcomes in the community where I call "home".

To those who supported my nomination, wrote letters, and believed in me from the start—thank you. This honor is not just mine, it’s a reflection of the people I’ve had the privilege to work with. I’m proud to be part of a field where we can create real impact—together.

For me, this work is personal—because this is home. I was born and raised in Central Kentucky, and now I’m raising my own family here. The Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation serves the very region that has shaped my life. This health system is who I trust to care for me, my children, my neighbors, and my loved ones if crisis ever strikes.

That’s why I chose to make this my career. I’m not just supporting a cause—I’m investing in the well-being of my own community. The people working inside our hospitals and clinics—those saving lives every day—have become my friends and colleagues. And the donors who support this mission give because they feel the same connection, the same responsibility to care for the place we all call home.

Healthcare philanthropy gives us the opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives. We’re not just raising funds—we’re building a healthier future for generations to come. I can’t imagine more meaningful work than that.

A defining moment in my career was visiting the Norton Healthcare Foundation and spending a day with Lynnie Meyer and her team. Watching her lead and seeing firsthand the scale and impact of their work completely shifted my perspective on what’s possible in healthcare philanthropy.

It wasn’t just the size of the foundation that impressed me; it was the clarity of vision, the strategic focus, and the lasting impact they were making on their community’s health—all through donor support. I left that day thinking, “I want to build something like this for our community.” That experience gave me both a clearer direction and a higher bar to reach for.

Following the visit, I began actively seeking out knowledge from others in the field to see what else I could learn. Through AHP’s network, I connected with professionals across the country and logged countless conversations with industry leaders who generously shared their insights and experiences. Not everything needs to be invented from scratch, but the real growth comes from listening well, adapting what we learn, and responding uniquely to our own communities' needs.

My greatest passion is building — whether it’s an idea, a team, or a transformative project that makes a lasting impact. I’m an entrepreneur at heart, and I find energy and purpose in creating something meaningful from the ground up. There’s something incredibly rewarding about watching a vision become reality — especially in healthcare philanthropy, where that often means expanded services, new spaces for healing, or innovations that directly improve lives.

I’m especially motivated by the unique role philanthropy plays in advancing the priorities of our leadership teams. Donors make these projects possible through their generosity, and I consider it a privilege to help align that generosity with opportunities that lead to real, tangible outcomes. Whether it’s walking through a completed capital project or seeing a new initiative launch, I’m driven by the visible, lasting change that results from our work.

My passion for this work is grounded in my faith. I believe God calls us to give generously, to serve others, and to do good. If I can spend my days being a small part of something that can help others, I believe I am blessed just as much as the recipient.

Stay curious and mission-driven. Healthcare philanthropy is complex — you’re balancing relationships with donors, boards, leadership, and colleagues, all while the “rule book” keeps evolving. At its core, this work is about people. Without strong, trusting relationships, nothing moves forward.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially the hard ones. In my experience, avoiding tough conversations is often more damaging than having them. If you stay grounded in the mission, value the people around you, and remain open to collaborative change, you’ll find your way.

This field demands both heart and adaptability... but when those come together, the impact is incredibly meaningful.