Laura Traut-Coyle

I met Laura through the Women’s Leadership and Mentoring program (part of the CWIP umbrella), and got to know her a little better when she took the lead on organizing an incredible professional development panel for our cohort of mentors and mentees. 

She tells me that growing up on a farm in Wisconsin meant she developed an early appreciation for hard work and a modest lifestyle. The farm life was different, whether it was the day-to-day activities or clothes, and it was never similar to what other kids had, but she never saw that as a disadvantage. Her parents made just enough to stay above the poverty line. With three siblings, her childhood was full of activity and responsibility, all of which shaped her perspective on life.

Her father was always looking to give people a chance, sometimes picking up homeless people and bringing them home for dinner and offering them work on the farm. Her mom was a source of consistent love and an unwavering model of strength, who also worked extremely hard to give her family a better life than her own. Trust and generosity were constant in their household, where they never feared the presence of strangers but rather welcomed them as part of the family. Both of her parents were active members of their community - they volunteered at the local food pantry, and encouraged discussions around topics like farming, democracy, and labor unions at the dinner table. These early conversations instilled a strong sense of social justice and community service in Laura.

As a young woman, she was determined to prove she was more than just a small-town farm girl. She initially started her career in corporate marketing, but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. Searching for greater impact, she transitioned to nonprofit research, focusing on education. It was here that she began to see ways she could have the most significant influence.

Her talent for understanding and solving complex problems and strategically navigating the complex nonprofit sector is what  led her to her consulting and coaching career path. She has seen firsthand that people often struggle with making difficult decisions for their stakeholders. Her own experiences growing up in Wisconsin, along with her work helping others, reinforced for her  how vital clear communication and community support are.

Eventually, she found herself in Illinois, feeling a little lost at first. She took a job in the for-profit sector, only to have that career interrupted by the 2008 financial crash. But out of that experience, she built something stronger, establishing herself in Chicago and realizing that geography is only part of life’s journey. She owns her struggles with depression and anxiety, which have led her to purposefully seek a life filled with meaning, connection, and personal growth.

She reflects that she now realizes that she may have missed many opportunities early in her career because she didn’t put herself out there. Networking, while often dreaded, is critical, and she encourages others to embrace the process despite the discomfort. Over time, she found her people and made meaningful connections, both personally and professionally.

She refuels by engaging with others, thinking in particular about a mini focus group with students. Witnessing their growth and hearing the stories of others gives her energy. She also values time spent with friends and family, especially her 14-year-old daughter, who is the center of her world.

Her husband, a military veteran, keeps her grounded. While they are different in many ways, together, they’ve built a strong foundation based on shared values and mutual respect.

In the next few years, she plans to expand  her work on a larger scale. She dreams of partial retirement in about ten to fifteen years, moving out of the colder climates (I feel this deeply) and exploring different cultures through travel. 

On a final note, she wants to remind anyone reading this: Don’t give up. Don’t let fear, or the challenges presented by bosses and other obstacles, prevent you from moving forward. There will be days of despondency when it feels like everyone else is finding joy while you're struggling. But she firmly believes that if you don’t give up, the next adventure is always just around the bend—you just don’t know where it is yet.