Laura Runnels was born on a mountaintop in Tennessee, raised in a small-town in Mississippi, and educated in Connecticut, California, and Missouri. She has over fifteen years of experience working with local, state, and federal clients. As a convening specialist, she is known for designing and facilitating highly collaborative, efficient, and productive meetings. As a strategist, she guides individuals, organizations, and coalitions through technical and adaptive challenges. Laura holds a masters degree from Saint Louis University and completed her undergraduate studies at Yale University.