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Laurel has been incredibly lucky to enjoy a varied career in Indianapolis over the last 20+ years which has allowed her to serve her community as a lawyer and public servant, as a communications leader for a global company and our state, and now as a business owner. Throughout, she has been the beneficiary of support and friendship from dynamic women in our city, and she’s enjoying passing along that same generosity and mentorship to others.
My Maven Superpower is…I’m a good listener.
Best book I’ve read lately is…Demon Copperhead – This has been in my stack for a while and I was reinspired to read it after learning that the author, Barbara Kingsolver, used all the proceeds from the book to build a home for women in recovery in Lee County, VA where the book is set.
Self-care habit I swear by…Taking sleep seriously.
My first job was…At 16 years old as a server in a restaurant in my hometown, Valparaiso. I ended up waiting tables until I graduated from college, and learned important life lessons from the restaurant business.
The best career advice I can offer is…Spend time in nature.
A purchase I’ve been loving lately is…A daily organizer I designed in January at Louise Carmen in Paris.
I feel most confident when…I’m well-rested and can find my words.
My favorite local restaurant dish is…The chop salad at Bluebeard or anything Jonathan Brooks is cooking.
The thing I’ve been binging lately is…Pacers games!
A fun fact about me is…I recently starting appearing on Radio Free Bookclub, a monthly podcast on 99.1 WQRT, hosted by Ken Honeywell. I read a lot and this is the first bookclub I’ve ever been a part of. I’m really enjoying it! I’m starting a radio show on wqrt.org through Big Car’s station. It’s a monthly show called NECTAR and it’s dedicated to women in ambient, electronic and experimental music. It will air Saturdays at 11 am with replays at the same time on Wednesdays. I’d love to let people know about it so they can learn more about these incredible female artists and composers. More show info can be found on Instagram @NECTARIndy.
The skill I most want to learn is…How to speak French. I’m finally taking lessons after years of thinking (and talking!) about it.
A Maven you should know is…Jenny Banner. She is an inspiring and honest coach, mentor and advisor, and an incredible friend to so many, including me.
My favorite nonprofit to support is…Exodus Refugee, Indiana Writers Center & Pattern – I serve on the board of all three organizations.
What have you achieved recently that you’d like to celebrate with our community?…Raising a human into adulthood. I have one more to go! My daughter, Metta, is 18, and my son, William, is 16.
What’s next for you? What can we expect to see over the next few years?…I am going to continue devoting my professional and personal energy to making Indianapolis a vibrant and welcoming place for all! Also, I write a lot and have a goal this year of finishing a “crappy first draft” and sharing my work someday.
I feel most myself when…When I’m reading on the beach of Lake Michigan in the summer, surrounded by my family and friends.
My “must-have” product is…Smith’s Rosebud Salve.
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