Later-stage success means realizing you're not done becoming who you're meant to be. New dreams can flourish no matter where you are in your career.
Laura Freeman · In Her Own Words
In Conversation
Laura Freeman for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Laura Freeman: An influential woman to me is someone who brings together people, creates clarity, builds trust, and enables others to navigate and sustain meaningful change. An influential woman also leads with intention, connects the set strategy to the execution, all the while fostering strong relationships. And also empowers others to lead with confidence. The impact an influential woman leaves is not just what gets delivered, but it's truly in how people feel, how they grow, and how they can succeed along the way.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Laura Freeman: To the young women out there, keep chasing those dreams. Please keep going even after told no. Please keep going after you've failed. Please keep going even if you aren't maybe in the right fit at the right time. Always remember you're learning something from those experiences, and you can take those with you along the way. If you're with a leader who you're not really aligned with, take the lessons you're learning to the next role. Always know, just don't give up and just keep going.
Her Story
About Laura
With more than 25 years of experience in project, program, and portfolio management, Laura has built a career around helping organizations navigate complexity with clarity, purpose, and heart. A seasoned Program Manager, Operations and Change Leader, and previous business owner based in Navarre, Florida, she is known for transforming big ideas into practical, value‑driven solutions that move businesses forward.
In her current role as an Enterprise Portfolio Strategist at Navy Federal Credit Union, Laura supports the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office by supporting strategic change communications and enterprise portfolio initiatives. Her work ensures alignment across business units, strengthens executive messaging, and helps teams stay connected and informed through change and transformation.
Throughout her career, Laura has held progressive leadership roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Legrand North America, where she delivered large‑scale programs, championed both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, and guided multimillion‑dollar portfolios. She is recognized for her ability to build high‑performing teams, mentor emerging leaders, and create environments where collaboration and trust thrive.
But what truly sets Laura apart is her people‑first approach. She leads with authenticity, resilience, and a deep commitment to continuous learning, qualities that shape her leadership style and the impact she brings to every initiative. Beyond her corporate work, she is actively engaged in volunteerism, mentorship, and community service, believing strongly in lifting others as she grows.
A previous student at Collin County Community College with a strong foundation in communication and liberal arts, Laura blends strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, helping organizations not only execute change but embrace it. Her work reflects a simple truth: meaningful transformation happens when people feel supported, informed, and empowered.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laura
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having excellent mentors very early on in my career and working at a large company where opportunities were plenty. My professional background, including prior roles at HP and Legrand, has strengthened my ability to turn ideas into tangible solutions and collaborate closely with teams to consistently deliver value across organizations.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I've received is that this is just a moment in time, we're going to get through this, and if we're all pulling it together, it makes it a much better ride than individuals trying to work without being a team. I often tell people 'this is just a speed bump, and we're gonna get over it and through it together.'
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Invest in your growth, trust your voice, and stay authentic. People recognize real, and real is what leads.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in this field is the tendency for work to become siloed. With so many specialized teams and functions, it’s easy for groups to focus on their own priorities without full visibility into what others are doing. It’s rarely intentional, everyone is working hard to deliver the best outcomes, but the sheer number of moving parts can make it difficult to stay aligned.
When teams aren’t aware of each other’s efforts, it can lead to duplicated work or parallel initiatives that would benefit from collaboration. It’s not inherently negative, but it does highlight the importance of communication, transparency, and cross‑functional connection to keep everyone moving in the same direction.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me, both professionally and personally, are authenticity, teamwork, continuous learning, and resilience grounded in optimism. I strive to lead with integrity, build trust through genuine collaboration, and stay committed to shared success.
My growth has been shaped by continuous learning and the support of mentors, along with my certifications, which have strengthened my ability to adapt and lead in dynamic environments.
My involvement in serving the community by volunteering with suicide‑prevention efforts and organizations such as City Relief in NY has also reinforced my belief in staying resilient, optimistic, and purpose‑driven, especially in challenging moments. These experiences keep me grounded in service to others and focused on making a meaningful impact.
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