Laura and her husband Scott made the Black Hills their home in 1996. She received her dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication Disorders and her Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Laura worked in various West River school districts as well as with Regional Health and the Brain Injury Clinic prior to opening her own Rapid City based private speech pathology practice in 2011.

In 2017 she secured her seat on the Rapid City Common Council proudly representing Ward 5. During her six years on the Council, she served as the Legal & Finance Committee chairwoman for two years as well as the Council President from 2019-2021. She also served on the Humane Society of the Black Hills, Allied Arts, Community Relations Commission, Disability Awareness and Advocacy Committee, Opportunity Capture Fund, City/County Emergency Management, RAP Airport Board, Rapid City Public Library, Minneluzahan Senior Center, Canyon Lake Activities Center, Capital Improvements Projects, Parks and Recreation, Youth City Council mentor and selection committee.

Her main accomplishments were the Railroad Quiet Zone Task Force, Human Relations Task Force, Monument Arena, RCPD body cameras, Emergency Tower project, Elevate Rapid City, Founding board president of Journey On, Co-founder of Youth City Council, Hiring Selection Panels for RCPD/RCFD chiefs, RCPD Detectives and Crime Reduction Outreach Project Manager, 2 Vision Fund Rounds (2019 and 2022, including selection committee), Downtown parking, Housing Fund, Sustainability Coordinator, Grants Writer, Sioux Park Tennis Project, Canyon Lake Activity Center pickleball courts, West Chicago tree preservation project, 2 successful water resolutions and Indian Lands Project resolution while having oversight of Rapid City’s $200+ million annual budget.
Laura continues her endless dedication to Rapid City and the State of South Dakota by being active and engaged in various community projects and efforts