Laura Lawrence

Name: Laura Stone Lawrence

Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 20

Title/Company: President & CEO of Safe Alliance

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN         

Education:

• Dickinson School of Law- Juris Doctorate, Pennsylvania State
• East Tennessee State University, Bachelor of Science
• The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Executive Education Program, IEDP

Current personal or leadership goals:

What’s your best advice for current Leadership Charlotte participants about making the most of the experience?

Go in curious and open, especially to perspectives that are different from your own. The real value of Leadership Charlotte is the relationships you build and the deeper understanding you gain about how our community truly works. Say yes to opportunities, ask thoughtful questions, and don’t disappear once the program ends. Some of my most meaningful relationships came well after my Leadership Charlotte experience was over.

What’s one lesson or moment from your Leadership Charlotte experience that sticks with you today, and why?

One lesson from my Leadership Charlotte experience that has stayed with me is the long‑term impact of the relationships it creates. At the time, I appreciated the experience and the learning, but what I’ve come to see is that the most lasting impact of Leadership Charlotte is the people, both in your class and across generations of leaders who come through the program.

I was asked to speak at Class 39’s Justice Day. Afterward, Audra Toussaint, a Leadership Charlotte participant, introduced herself to me and shared that she had previously sought services from Safe Alliance. She asked how she could become more involved in our work, and we agreed to meet for coffee.

That conversation led to one of the most meaningful relationships of my career and ultimately played a critical role in the planning and establishment of The Umbrella Center. Audra became deeply involved in the work and now serves as Chair of the Foundation Board, helping lead a campaign that has raised $47 million to bring this project to life. She also travels the country sharing her story and advocating for trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered support, demonstrating how lives, especially the lives of children, can be transformed through care, dignity, and community.

If I had never been part of Leadership Charlotte, I may never have met Audra. And if Audra had not been part of Leadership Charlotte, this connection—and its impact—might never have happened. That is the power of the program. The relationships you build don’t end when the class year is over; they shape you and your work in ways that matter for decades.

In what ways do you stay engaged in the Charlotte community, and how could fellow alumni join you?

My work keeps me deeply engaged in Charlotte through cross sector partnerships, public-private initiatives, and advocacy focused on strengthening how our community supports people in crisis. Fellow alumni can join in many ways, including lending their expertise, serving on boards, supporting collaborative efforts, or simply reaching out when they want to better understand a complex community issue and where they might plug in.

What’s your favorite way to recharge or connect with Charlotte on the weekend?

I recharge by slowing down. Long walks with friends, and quality time with my husband, son, dogs, and close friends help me reset. I love exploring Charlotte’s food scene, and in warmer months, relaxing outside at my home with good conversation and, sometimes, a glass of wine.

Shout out a local nonprofit or initiative making a difference — what do they do, and why does their mission speak to you?

I’d love to highlight The Umbrella Center, a collaborative initiative that brings together approximately 250 professionals from more than a dozen organizations under one roof in a $49 million public‑private partnership. The Umbrella Center, which is opening late 2026,  is grounded in deep partnership with Safe Alliance, Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, our District Attorney’s Office, the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department, our Sheriff’s Office, Mecklenburg County’s Department of Social Services and Community Support Services, Atrium Health, Novant Health, Alliance Health, Legal Aid, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and many committed community partners.

Together, this initiative will be one of the most transformative efforts in our county. It fundamentally changes how survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation access support. What speaks most to me is that at its core, The Umbrella Center is about collaboration, dignity, and shared responsibility. We’re creating systems that truly meet people where they are, reduce harm, and allow professionals across sectors to do their best work on behalf of our community.

I support Leadership Charlotte because…

It connects leaders and creates relationships that have the power to transform our community.

What does “leading for a better Charlotte” mean to you?

Leading for a better Charlotte means showing up for the people and the issues that don’t always have the loudest voice but matter deeply to the strength of our community. Through my work at Safe Alliance, I see every day how critical this moment is for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The need is real, immediate, and growing.

For me, leadership is about responsibility. I work to build systems that respond with compassion, dignity, and accountability, and to do that work in true partnership with others across sectors. I’m incredibly proud of the team I get the privilege to work alongside. Their commitment, professionalism, and care make a tangible difference in the lives of people in crisis every single day.

Leading for a better Charlotte means believing that we can—and must—do better for one another, and then doing the hard, collaborative work to make that belief real.