Laura has over 30 years of experience in HR during which she gained  knowledge in all aspects of HR including recruitment, assessments for employee selection and development, interviewing, hiring, terminations, discipline, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace investigations, labor relations, meet and confer, benefits, wellness, compensation, succession planning, HRIS, performance management and employee-related policies, procedures, and handbooks. In addition to extensive "hands-on" work throughout her career, for over 10 years, she served as the top HR Executive providing strategic, innovative, and visionary leadership.  

 

She has completed various executive recruitment and selection processes including City Attorney, City Manager, Police Chief, Economic Development Director, Water Services Director, Warden, Deputy Warden, Assistant Director.  Additionally, she has been involved in the evaluations of many appointed executive positions including Executive Director, City Manager and City Attorney.

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She has completed numerous sexual discrimination and harassment investigations and has extensive experience reviewing, analyzing and providing recommendations to management relating to sexual discrimination and harassment allegations and investigations.  

 

She is an active community leader. She successfully plans and leads an annual HR Executive Summit and Retreat in Arizona for top HR Executives. She currently serves on the City of Scottsdale's Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and previously served on the City of Scottsdale Personnel Board, the Arizona Commission for Judicial Performance Review, and the Arizona Society for Human Resources State Council in different volunteer roles including State Council Director.  

 

Laura has received a significant number of workplace awards and is the only HR professional who has received all three highly acclaimed awards given by the Arizona Society for Human Resource Management.  She received the Al O'Connor Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, the Ann Byrnes Professional Excellence Award in 2010, and the Judith Krebs Volunteer Leader Award in 2007. 

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She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and three professional certifications - Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), International Public Management Association for Human Resources Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP), and the Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).  

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