Laura L. Barry

In simple terms, paying attention to my inner wisdom. Paying attention to my truth and integrity. Early in my career, and early in anyone's career, success is really the external stuff - it's the achievement, the recognition, the promotions, or some kind of forward momentum. But at this point, while that's nice, that's like the sprinkles on the icing on the cake. If I know that I've shown up in integrity and humility and honesty, and am willing to go deeper with one or many in a conversation, that's what success is for me now. I enjoy being able to be validated by others when I helped impact their life, or I made a difference, or something I said resonated with them. But I look more internally to see that I did my best, that I provided something that was in alignment with who I am, to another, for the most validation that I get. The external is fine, but the internal alignment is what matters most.

I think 2 things. On a secular level, it is to not take things personally. On a spiritual level, my father shared something with me at a very young age that has guided me throughout my life. He told me to never let the man-made rules of religion interfere with my relationship with God, that my direct relationship with the divine took priority. I grew up Roman Catholic and went to Catholic grade school, and as a young girl, I could not truly believe what I was being taught about those who are not Catholic going to hell - my friends on my street who were Jewish, or my friends whose families didn't go to church. I would have these in-depth conversations as a young child with my father, and his wisdom about not letting man-made religion have any kind of disruption between me and the divine has shaped my entire approach to my work. The power of ownership in one's life, of aligning with what is in your best and highest good internally, is something that is not easy for others who have given their authority to an external source - whether it's their boss, their religion, their spouse. But having something be telling from the inside, that's what matters.

The values most important to me are integrity, humility, and honesty in how I show up. Being present with people at the end of life strips away illusion and really clarifies what matters - it's connection, it's meaning, it's presence. I felt this quiet, kind of persistent pull toward doing more meaningful work, even when I couldn't fully name it. That tension between the conventional path and this inner calling shaped my willingness to listen on a deeper level and to have trust in my own wisdom versus the external, well-defined career path. I'm committed to creating spaces that support transformative inner work and to help women reconnect with themselves in a way that's deep and sustainable. My focus is not on breakthrough moments, because they are important, but it's really what happens after - how newly gained wisdom or insight can be integrated and transformed into someone's way of living. That's what I really care deeply about.