Influential Woman · Consulting

Laura Ann Dunning

Knowledge Management & Quality Specialist, UNCOMN

Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Associate's degree in Computer Information Systems (2005) Cert Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM) Cert Information Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Associate Cert Lean Six Sigma White Belt Member American Society for Quality

Her Story

About Laura

I've been in my current field for 10 years, working as a quality manager for UNCOMMON, a consulting company that does a lot of contracts with the government. I started as their contracts administrator and quality person, then moved into the quality manager role full-time. In this position, I make sure we maintain certain company certifications like ISO 9001, CMMI, ISO 20,000 and 27,000, which are different certifications required for us to bid on contracts with the government. Two years ago, I also became a certified knowledge manager through the Knowledge Management Institute, receiving my CKM certification in 2024. In this capacity, I'm in charge of making sure the right information gets to the right people in the right area. Before joining UNCOMMON, I worked for Bank of America for 27 years in banking and financing. I hold an Associate's degree in computer information systems, which I received in 2005. I'm a member of the American Society for Quality, and I'm looking at probably retiring in the next 5 years.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Laura

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to never forgetting that it is never too late to do something remarkable; or to learn something new.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Never give up; be honest and trustworthy.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Don’t underestimate the value of how you think. Women often bring a unique kind of logic—one that blends analysis with intuition, context, and long-term thinking. That’s not a weakness; it’s a strength many industries need. Speak up early, trust your perspective, and don’t feel pressure to fit into someone else’s mold of how decisions ‘should’ be made.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenge is AI - making sure that people do not underestimate or abuse it. There still needs to be people logic and systems thinking behind it.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

A good work life balance. You have to be happy with your career and your homelife. One does effect the other.

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