Saratoga County's Women of Influence 2022

Saratoga County’s

WOMEN of

Influence 2022 Complimentary

Brought to you by:

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WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2022

Saratoga County’s Women of Influence

through the years 2008

Marianne Barker Julie Bonacio Kari Cushing Marie Glotzbach Susan Halstead Terry Lee Margie Rotchford Dee Sarno Linda Toohey Dottie Nixon

2009

Elizabeth Alexander Susan Dake Karen Deandrea Krystle Nowhitney Benita Zahn

2010

Karen Dake Francine Dingman Sandy Foster Barbara Glaser Natalie Sillery

2020

Rev. Kate Forer June MacClelland Molly McMaster Morgoslepov Kathy McNeice Lisa Moser Shelby Schneider

2011

2014

2017

Michelle Larkin Sara Mannix Rabbi Motzkin Cindy Munter Mary C. Powers Jamie Williams

Colleen Carlson

Karen Flewelling Kathleen Fyfe Jessica Patriccione Heather Straughter Amy Sutton

Lisa Breen Robin Dalton Teddy Foster Karen Heggen Jane Kromm Lynette Whaley

2012

2015

2018

Sue Commanda Stephanie Ferradino Mary Gavin Valeri Muratori Melissa Ward Melissa Zeiker

Paula Fidalgo Kim Klopstock Tara Pleat Amy Raimo Patty Riggi Nancy Trimbur

Angela Amedio Laura DiRado Patty Laudicina Michele Madigan Cindy Phillips Dora Lee Stanley

2013

2016

2019

Joanne DiMarco Cynthia Hollowood Meg Kelly Michele Riggi Holly Schwarz-Lawton Theresa Skaine Robin Solomon

2021

Lisa Avila Catherine Hover Dr. Katrin Ramsey Elizabeth Schlegel Mary Solomons Kate Towne

Shelly Amato Libby Coreno Gayle Lasalle Jane Mastaitis Laura Obrien Miyo Reed Christianne Smith

Maggie Fronk Bo Goliber Dr. Renee Goodemote Megan Harris-Pero Elizabeth Sobol

2022 Lt. Laura Emanatian Michele Funiciello Lisa Mitzen Heidi Owen West Laura Perretta

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Congratulations TO SARATOGA COUNTY’S

WOMEN of

Influence 2022 & Thank You to Our Sponsor:

WOMEN of

Influence 2022 Brought

to you by

Publisher/Editor Chad Beatty Marketing Director Chris Bushee Advertising Jim Daley Cindy Durfey

PUBLISHER OF: Simply Saratoga • Saratoga Bride Saratoga Family • Welcome Home Equicurean • Saratoga Christmas and of course...

Saratoga TODAY Newspaper 2254 Route 50 South Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 Phone: 518-581-2480 Fax: 518-581-2487 saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com

Distribution Kim Beatty Carolina Mitchell Graphic Design Kacie Cotter-Sacala Advertising Design Kelsey Sherman Kelly Schoonbeck Articles Written By Megin Potter Photography Super Source Media

Local news never looked this good!

Lt. Laura Emanatian pg. 4

Michele Funiciello pg. 9

Lisa Mitzen pg. 14

Heidi Owen West pg. 19

Laura Perretta pg. 25

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Lt. Laura Emanatian WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER • PHOTOS BY LINDSEY FISH, SUPER SOURCE MEDIA

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2022

Challenging the Status Quo Laura Emanatian – A Woman With a Voice

Speaking up takes a specific kind of courage.

Lieutenant Laura Emanatian recently retired from the Saratoga Springs Police Department after a 20-year career. It was an unexpected move from a woman who had excelled at the job.

A WOMAN WITH STANDARDS It was a combination of factors that brought Laura into her career at the Police Department.

Raised as one of five girls in a household where being a good person was seen as paramount, Laura’s parents made sure she and her sisters were instilled with the values of honesty and integrity.

Laura knew there were certain expectations that, if not met, she would be held accountable for. This upbringing created a sense of self-confidence and strength within that would prove to serve her well in the years to come.

FINDING HER VOICE In 2001, when Laura started out at the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the women’s locker room was a utility closet with no shower or toilet. There was however, a men’s locker room women walked through to use the building’s shared bathroom.

Since she found these conditions unsuitable, Laura (who later became a breast-feeding mother who needed to pump while she was on the clock) had to go home during her dinner breaks to use the facilities there instead.

“That is what was available but when given the opportunity to have a voice about it, I took it,” she said.

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"When you decide to be vocal, you have to be prepared to stand alone because others can be easily manipulated and intimidated. It’s one of those hard lessons you learn in life.”

GOING IT ALONE

LISTENING IS A SUPERPOWER

Laura experienced pushback from an administration concerned about the budget and the age of the building.

Laura is a woman with a voice, but she also knows that listening is one of the most powerful skills a person can possess.

“It was not very well received at the time,” she said. “It was definitely a lonely period. When you decide to be vocal, you have to be prepared to stand alone because others can be easily manipulated and intimidated. It’s one of those hard lessons you learn in life.”

“The best thing I ever did on the job was just be human,” she said. “Everyone has a voice and everyone deserves to be heard.”

Following in the footsteps of the female officers that fought for workplace equality before her, Laura felt empowered to take things to the next level.

LEVELING UP After advocating for appropriate facilities for eight years, in 2008 Laura spearheaded a complaint filed with the Division of Human Rights against the city. She won and a women’s locker room was constructed.

During this same time, Laura was passed over again and again for promotions on the job. She again sued her employer, and won.

She then served as an Investigator, Sergeant, and Lieutenant in several divisions. In 2013, she was the first woman from the department to win the Officer of the Year award for her undercover work.

“When you come across people, it’s typically on their worst day.

There is a lot of emotion involved and I’d have to peel back those layers to make sure I’m meeting their needs.”

HOW YOU TREAT PEOPLE MATTERS The police department wants to make more deposits than withdrawals, said Laura (meaning that they want to have more positive than negative interactions with the public).

“I live here and how I treat people matters because I’m going to see those people when I’m out with my family,” she said.

Laura acknowledged that as the world changes education will remain paramount. She currently holds a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees.

“There’s still some really great work to be done in the police department,” she said, “but I don’t think that can be done without the help of the community and I’d like to see them become more engaged.”

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“The best thing I ever did on the job was just be human...Everyone has a voice and everyone deserves to be heard.”

WHAT’S WORTH FIGHTING FOR This year, when she was asked to do something that went against her character, Laura decided it was finally time to retire.

“At some point as a mature adult in a professional setting, you have to realize what’s worth fighting for. I had to ask myself, ‘How do I proceed and continue to be the best version of myself every day? I could’ve towed the line but at the end of the day, who wins? What’s the purpose of that?’”

In her retirement, Laura is enjoying cheering on her daughter Laine, 16, a junior at Saratoga Springs High School in her rowing competitions, and Nolan, 15, a freshman at Christian Brother’s Academy who plays football and lacrosse.

Inspired by the example set by Neil, her husband of 19 years and a retired firefighter, registered nurse, and disabled veteran working to help other veterans, Laura is considering volunteering more in the future, perhaps with the elderly community.

“I need to take time to regroup and really decide what the next thing vis going to be but I’m not done and will continue in the service path.”

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2022

Michele Funiciello WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER • PHOTOS BY LINDSEY FISH, SUPER SOURCE MEDIA

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Stewarding Saratoga Michele Funiciello looks after the city’s history with an eye on its future.

Take a glimpse into Michele Funiciello’s seemingly enchanted life and it’s easy to assume she has a fairy godmother.

Look a little deeper and you’ll see this Cinderella’s story is more than just make believe.

ONCE UPON A TIME… Michele Funiciello was one of seven children growing up over the Densmore Funeral Home in Corinth.

Her beloved father, Irving, was not only a 4th generation funeral director but the village’s mayor from 1967 until 1980. (A testament to his service,

the bridge over the Hudson River connecting Saratoga and Warren Counties today even bears his name). Michele’s mother, Pauline, was a woman with impeccable style and incredible intelligence who not only ran a strict household but helped Irving run the family business, she recalls.

“It was never lost on me that my parents always had time for us but also had time for others. They contributed to society and that was an example that resonated deeply within me,” says Michele.

But beyond the big, busy family and their deep connection to the community, Michele also remembers a special connection to her mother.

Theirs was a love without bounds, Michele remembers, recalling how her mother would always respond to her saying “I love you Mom” with, “I love you more,” like the mother and child in the much-adored children’s book of the same name.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2022

“The big moments, for me, are nestled in the small moments.”

FROM A PLEASANT PORCH

Cinderella while fitting her for a Wesley Community gala.

In 1997, when Michele and her husband (of 28 years now) Dieter began restoring a vacant but promising Victorian at the corner of Circular and Caroline streets they had no idea the house would open up a whole new world to them.

Dressed in a Nicole Miller gown, with long brown hair and big eyes, Michele reminded the stylist of Lesley Ann Warren in the 1965 classic movie.

Dieter’s penchant for restoring old buildings and Michele’s eye for interior design eventually resurrected this former Saratoga jewel into what would become the Circular Manor Bed and Breakfast, a lovely addition to the city’s tapestry of beautiful places.

“She” (as Michele lovingly refers to the house) is a 12-bedroom beauty built in 1903 by the prominent Case family, who loved to entertain and host opulent gatherings that were featured in the newspaper society columns of the day.

Today, the home’s spectacular wrap-around porch hosts many similar jovial get-togethers, especially on Halloween when between 40 and 50 friends gather to celebrate the season and hand out candy to the 500 or so trick-or-treaters who stop by.

“I love that about this town,” says Michele. “Those are the graces of this wonderful place. It’s my hope that when you walk up onto our porch, you feel welcome. Saratoga is a front porch town where people smile at each other and exchange pleasantries.”

Hers is a house with a nice energy that invites you to soak up life in lots of little ways.

“The big moments, for me, are nestled in the small moments,” she says.

KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE LAND It was Natalie Sillery of Saratoga Trunk who first compared Michele to

Like the fairytale character, Michele has always worked hard to obtain her goals. While she and Dieter are readying Circular Manor for guests, she feels respect and gratitude for the job and the joy Circular Manor brings to her guests who travel there from around the world and for so many special reasons.

WITH A SPRINKLING OF MAGIC Michele also has a kindness toward creation that she carries out into the world with startlingly magical results.

Her dedication is exemplified by the work she’s done for the Saratoga Hospital, being a member of The Flower and Fruit Mission, as a board member of Universal Preservation Hall, and as the Vice President of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.

Michele also has been honored to be involved for many years with Natalie Sillery to present the Saratoga Fashion Shows at the Saratoga Race Course to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

An advocate for the sport and the historical importance of the buildings and grounds, Michele’s served as a city liaison with NYRA on The Local Advisory Board since its inception.

In 2018, when the oversized “Foal Project” photos (taken by Lisa Miller and valued at $5,000 each) were stolen from the Circular Manor porch, the spell seemed to be broken, but it was only momentarily as they were later found and returned with only minor wear.

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A common thread to her approach in such a historic community is to always advocate for an appreciation for the treasures of our past with a nod to the future and the hope that brings.

CREATING A HAPPILY EVER AFTER As Michele’s dreams become reality, she’s begun to find her groove and feels truly fulfilled.

She’s proud of her 31-year career as an Executive Cardiovascular Accounts Specialist with Astra Zeneca and running The Circular Manor for 25 years with her husband.

To create that balance between career and community service, she’s become more focused on the things she’s most passionate about.

A common thread to her approach in such a historic community is to always advocate for an appreciation for the treasures of our past with a nod to the future and the hope that brings.

By being a board member and heading up the Mentorship Committee for the Saratoga Sponsor a Scholar program, she strives to help give hope to promising students that are financiallydisadvantaged to successfully complete high school and college.

“We want to help these incredibly gifted kids find their way to the bright futures they deserve,” says Michele.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. The whole v program makes my heart sing.”

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Lisa Mitzen

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER • PHOTOS BY SUPER SOURCE MEDIA

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One Love

For Lisa Mitzen, love is an emotion best expressed through action.

At its heart, philanthropy is about appreciating and nourishing life in all its forms. The word philanthropy even stems from the Greek “philos” meaning “to love.”

By tapping into the epic power of this most transformative of emotions, philanthropist extraordinaire Lisa Mitzen has become a respected agent of change in the city.

WHEN YOU GET LOVE, YOU GIVE LOVE Lisa describes growing up in Hudson Falls as a “wonderful upbringing” filled with the love, support, and encouragement of parents who expressed a genuine belief in her abilities.

“You stand back as an adult and realize how lucky you were,” she said.

“Everyone deserves to be believed in like that.”

During times of uncertainty, she’s used this strong foundation to forge ahead.

By first recognizing how blessed she has been, she’s then able to help others.

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20 YEARS OF REMARKABLE EFFORT Even before she left her successful career in mortgage lending in 2013, Lisa devoted much of her life to charitable efforts in organizations including the Red Cross, Double H Ranch, Franklin Community Center, and Code Blue, among others.

Especially meaningful to her has been helping those in need of safe housing.

“There are people in need everywhere, sadly,” she said. “It just comes down to helping if we can.

If we can make a difference, we should.”

“I think all of us are just a few steps away from being homeless in our lifetimes,” she said.

As a Rebuilding Together Saratoga County event chair, Lisa helped to raise the funds used to repair hundreds of homes. She has also served on the Shelters of Saratoga board for three years.

“Everyone has a story to tell. Ending homelessness is not as simple as taking one of these individuals and putting them in a home,” continued Lisa. “It’s really about connecting them with the support and services that will help lead them to permanent housing and that’s where Shelters of Saratoga does such an amazing job.”

To reinforce her message, Lisa introduced readers to the faces and stories of those experiencing housing instability as a regular contributor to Saratoga Living magazine.

DOING BUSINESS FOR GOOD Along with others in The Giving Circle non-profit, Lisa and her husband, Ed, traveled to volunteer at an African orphanage and they donated the money to cover the remaining construction costs for two schools in Uganda.

“There are people in need everywhere, sadly,” she said. “It just comes down to helping if we can. If we can make a difference, we should.”

In 2020, Lisa and Ed decided to make a big difference to those facing food insecurity. Ed Mitzen, the founder of Fingerpaint, sold two thirds of the company to fund The Business for Good Foundation where his three children; Emily, Nick, and Grace, all serve on the board.

Lisa and Ed own several businesses including; The Bread Basket Bakery, Hattie’s Restaurant, Hattie’s Chicken Shack in Wilton, and Lombardo’s Restaurant in Albany (which will house another Hattie’s in the near future).

In partnership with Business for Good, any profits from their businesses are redistributed into the community to do good. They also offer entrepreneurial support to others in the area.

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“...They (animals) know that we’re all in this world together. Nothing can put a smile on my face like they can.”

THE HANDSOME COCK FARM For Lisa, the love is also intensely felt at home with what has now become another substantial venture with its own online store and a regular presence at the Spa City Farmer’s Market.

The 130-acre Handsome Cock Farm (a name and logo coined by Engine 7 Design’s founder Tim Neary) has grown to include 51 chickens, 13 goats, three pigs, two donkeys, two dogs, two house cats, and a barn cat.

“I don’t consider myself a farmer,” said Lisa, laughing, “I am a pet owner of farm animals. I am blessed to have a lot of help on the farm, otherwise I couldn’t do it.”

She finds animals’ generosity and their unconditional affection inspiring.

“They don’t care about anything other than connection. They know that we’re all in this world together. Nothing can put a smile on my face like they can,” said Lisa.

Because of her love of animals, she also has a state-of-the-art doggie daycare in the works in The Town of Malta.

THE HIGHEST FORM OF ENERGY Lisa’s beloved father David was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a little more than five years before his death in December 2021.

“With Alzheimer’s, you mourn the loss of the person from when they’re diagnosed,” said Lisa. “No one can describe the heartache felt when your dad no longer recognizes you.”

During this difficult time, Lisa’s mother heroically became his primary caregiver. Both Lisa and her mother were grateful for the help and the knowledge they received from Alzheimer’s Association support groups.

To show their appreciation, they rallied a group of friends and family to join “Team Big Guy” in the Northeastern New York’s Chapter of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Lisa, who taught fitness classes in Ballston Spa pre-pandemic, was all in. She saw it as an opportunity to give back while doing something she enjoys.

“I’ve always been one who loves exercise. It gets the endorphins going, isv good for the mind and body. It’s a stress reliever and it keeps me going.”

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Heidi Owen West WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER • PHOTOS BY LINDSEY FISH, SUPER SOURCE MEDIA

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Saratoga’s H.O.W. Powerhouse Heidi Owen West has the grit to get things done.

Saratoga Springs would look like a very different place than it does today if Heidi Owen West had not been on the scene.

Today, Heidi Owen West employs between 15-20 women at three successful Broadway businesses; Lifestyles of Saratoga, LLC, Caroline + Main Inc., and Union Hall Supply Company Inc.

An entrepreneur and community leader, this is a woman who knows the city inside and out.

The products in her stores are sourced from other women-owned businesses; locally through the “A Leg Up Program,” and globally from manufacturers that pay women fair-trade certified wages.

ARMORING UP

FIERCELY NURTURING

In Saratoga (as elsewhere) clothing has always been a valuable tool in a woman’s arsenal.

“I see clothing as armor, as art, as really showing someone who you are on the inside by what you look like on the outside,” said Heidi. “You craft the message you give to the world by what you wear.”

Heidi forged her niche in the retail clothing world within the regal Walbridge Building alongside her mother, Kay Owen.

Kay, a woman described as “fearless,” was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991. After a decade in remission, it came back with a vengeance.

Heidi treasures those years before Kay’s death in 2014.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2022

“The most satisfying part is the community that’s been created in Saratoga Springs.

I feel very fortunate to be part of that.”

“I do cherish that time because our roles were flipped and I was able to take care of my mother. We bonded and grew to know each other in a different way – woman to woman,” said Heidi.

One of Heidi’s favorite things about being a woman, she said, is being a mother herself.

“I love the nurturing aspect of it. I just love taking care of others.”

Heidi has two children; Tristan, 24, and Miles, 22, with her husband of 26 years, Robert (who owns Old Saratoga Restorations).

She’s also volunteered for many organizations that serve children; she was a founding member of the Double H Ranch Partners Organization, a fundraising chair for the Saratoga Independent School, raised funds for youth education with the SPAC Action Council, and has mentored students from Saratoga Springs High School and The Charlton School.

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE Since 1991, Heidi has made a huge impact on the business community by serving on the executive board of the Downtown Business Association, and as a member of Discover Saratoga and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce.

She is also a 2020 graduate of Harvard Business School’s Leadership Principles Executive Program and a US Small Business Association SCORE mentor.

What matters to her more than this important work, however, has been the people she’s met along the way.

“The most satisfying part is the community that’s been created in Saratoga Springs. I feel very fortunate to be part of that,” she said.

Still best friends with her roommates from college as well, Heidi said they talk every day. Their unconditional acceptance has meant the world to her.

“We’ve been through everything together. Just being there for one another, being present, listening, and hearing what each other needs.

That’s friendship.”

THE HARDEST THING EVER Last year, Heidi’s friends supported her race for Mayor of the city.

“Running for office was the most difficult thing I’ve done in my career. It shifted my relationship with people and gave me a different view of how the city functions.”

It was a close vote, but ultimately the position was given to her opponent, Democrat Ron Kim. “After that I took a step back to look at everything I can do and have done in the community and I realized all of the good work I’ve accomplished has been outside the political realm,” said Heidi.

“I’ll always be here,” she continued, “I have some things in the works I’m excited about and will always be working for my community. Whatever I do decide to do, I’m all in for my city because I love it here.”

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“When great changes need to be made, unrest happens...”

TEAM-POWERED Even recreationally, Heidi is a long-hauler.

She’s a long-distance runner, master rower, and is on a quest to climb all 46 of the Adirondacks high peaks (she’s already conquered 11).

For Heidi, facing change head-on is all part of the challenge, and is not something she shies away from.

“When great changes need to be made, unrest happens,” she said.

“It’s built into my day-to-day. It’s part of my life. All I need to do is take one step out the door and see all the people in my community that need help, so that’s what I try v to do with my team every day. They give me wings to fly.”

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Laura Perretta

WRITTEN BY MEGIN POTTER • PHOTOS BY LINDSEY FISH, SUPER SOURCE MEDIA

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Something to Smile About Laura Perretta exemplifies why the future of dentistry is female.

At 6 a.m., before the hustle and bustle of the day, Laura Perretta can be found taking some time for herself by quietly having coffee and perhaps taking a morning walk before getting her two kids ready for school.

It’s a leisurely start that reveals a lot about the work/life balance that can exist for those in the dental field. It’s also one of the reasons

why women have been flocking to the once predominantly maledominated profession.

Laura is the Chief Operating Officer at the Family Dentistry Group, an organization with 100 employees – 90 percent of whom are women - at seven (soon to be eight) locations in the region. Since she began at the practice 15 years ago, she’s helped it to grow into one of the largest multi-location private dental offices in the country. Currently, she oversees locations in Saratoga Springs, South Glens Falls, Gloversville, Clifton Park, Greenwich, Queensbury, and Lake George.

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“Women are nurturing.

We take care of and look out for other women,” she continued.

A SMILE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS Laura’s path to creating a multi-million-dollar business was not without its challenges.

While working at a local bank, she attended college at the University of Albany, graduating in 2007 with a double major in Business Management/Information Technology and a minor in Psychology.

She then left the management position she’d earned at the bank for a receptionist position at Saratoga Springs Family Dentistry. Although it seemed like a risky move at the time, Laura saw a potential for growth within the business. She knew the importance of giving people a nice smile.

The benefits of having a beautiful smile go well beyond just being something attractive for others to look at. It can enhance your career by boosting your confidence during interviews and conversations. Smiling releases feel-good endorphins in the body and immune-strengthening dopamine, boosting your mood, relieving stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving your overall health; a gateway to a person’s wellbeing.

SMILE & THE WORLD SMILES WITH YOU Laura has helped create a working environment where women are caring for and supporting other women.

“A woman can understand another woman and what having a nice smile, or not, can mean,” said Laura.

Unlike with other types of medical practices, the results of going to the dentist are immediate and visible – a boon for providers and patients alike – that makes everyone feel good.

The women Laura works with also show up for one another.

“Women are nurturing. We take care of and look out for other women,” she continued.

“We have assembled a team of complementary players to help me succeed,” said Laura, which includes having time for family, including Patrick, her husband of eight years, daughter Maria, 8, and son Anthony, 5.

The flexibility of the job allows mothers like her to attend their children’s school activities and Laura’s office even sponsor’s Maria’s softball team.

BEAMING WITH PRIDE Laura emerged as a natural leader, working as an Office Manager, then Head of Human Resources, before being named the company’s COO. “I started to learn more of the workflow behind the scenes, what it took to motivate staff, and provide exceptional service,” said Laura. “I wanted to take on more and saw potential in a small dental practice. For me, it has always been about recognizing opportunities that fit in your wheelhouse and naturally align with your strengths.”

Having a license for a number of years, Laura also has experience with real estate.

“Opening and operating offices included locating a building that meets the needs of our practice, now and in the future.”

Under Laura’s direction, and with the encouragement of the Family Dentistry Group’s Dr. Gregory Dodd, the practice has continued to grow.

“Dr. Dodd gave me the gift of taking a chance on me. He trusted me, which gave me the confidence to take my ideas and run with them, which I appreciated. It can only go up from here. Who knows how far it can go?”

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“It’s all about being happy where you are, with what you’re doing, and with who you’re doing it with.”

WREATHED IN SMILES Helping more women pursue a career in the dental field is something that Laura feels especially passionate about.

She helped to start and manage the Capital District Spear Dental Study Club for Dentists and Dental Hygienists, an educational platform for dental excellence. The professional advancement program Laura developed pays full college tuition and NYS licensure for dental assistants and hygienists. In 2022, a new scholarship program was created. It will distribute an additional $10,500 in funds to seven students planning to enter into the profession.

Laura has also helped to ingrain a philanthropic spirit into the office’s feel-good culture. She encourages staff, family, and friends to participate in charitable organizations including supporting the Center for Disabilities, American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, among others. Laura and her office managers frequently arrange for collections of toys, clothes, and food for pantries, women’s centers, and child-centered causes, and rallies support for environmental conservation efforts.

It's her way to spread the joy.

“It’s all about being happy where you are, with vwhat you’re doing, and with who you’re doing it with,” she said.

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