Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC
Laura Norton-Cruz, LMSW, CLC is the founder of Laura Norton-Cruz Consulting and an independent documentary film producer and public health project manager based in Anchorage, Alaska. She combines filmmaking, qualitative research, systems change, and policy work to advance maternal and child health, early childhood services, and violence prevention. A bilingual professional fluent in English and Spanish, Laura leverages over seventeen years of experience in social work and public health to address complex social challenges and promote equity across Alaska, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities.
Laura’s work centers on elevating the lived experiences and stories of people in small communities to influence policy, practice, and funding. She uses documentary film and culturally grounded resources to shift public opinion and guide decision-makers toward concrete solutions. Committed to preventing child abuse and sexual violence and improving family well-being, Laura has worked in a variety of roles including third-grade teacher, sexual violence educator and victim advocate, community-based participatory researcher, and public health consultant for Alaska Native organizations and statewide nonprofits. Her fellowship as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader—the only Alaskan selected—enabled her to produce her first documentary on childcare in the Northwest Arctic.
Laura began working in child and youth well-being shortly after completing her undergraduate studies in 2004 and became a licensed social worker in 2009. She has directed and produced multiple documentary projects that inform public discourse, influence state policy, and contribute to funding and reforms in early childhood and family support systems. Through consulting, filmmaking, research, and advocacy, Laura continues to advance equity, amplify community voices, and develop practical solutions that improve outcomes for children, families, and vulnerable populations across Alaska.
• Licensed Master Social Worker
• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
• Honored Listee
Marquis Who's Who
• Mount Holyoke College - BA, Critical Social Thought & Studio Art
• University of Michigan School of Social Work - MSW
• Alaska's Top 40 Under 40
• Juror's Choice
• Rareified Light Honorary Mention
• Merit Scholarship, 2008
• Merit Scholarship, 2007
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Student Leadership Award
• Who's Who in American Colleges
• Alaska Public Health Association (ALPHA)
• Alaska Chapter of National Association of Social Workers
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leaders Fellowship (Fellow)
• Former roles with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
• Alaska Native Village Corporation
• Hillcrest Children's Center
• The Roundtable on Native American Trauma-Informed Initiatives
• First Alaskans Institute
• Municipality of Anchorage
• Latin@ Social Work Coalition
• Asociación Latina Alcanzando Sueños (ALAS)
• Nunakins Childcare
• Alaskans for Posterity
What do you attribute your success to?
A lifelong commitment to preventing child abuse and sexual violence, early exposure to maternal health through her mother's work as a nurse-midwife, and consistent use of community-based participatory approaches that turn local voices into policy and funding wins.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received was shaped early by my mother, a nurse midwife, who taught me that meaningful work starts with service, compassion, and a deep commitment to community. I’ve also been guided by mentors and collaborators in public health, advocacy, and fellowship communities, including leaders connected to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, who encouraged me to trust my purpose and pursue an unconventional path. Their support helped me transition into documentary filmmaking and policy-focused storytelling, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary work and using my voice to elevate maternal and child health issues and other priorities affecting underserved communities.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t feel powerless: learn how to translate community stories into advocacy and policy action, create safety around children in your daily life, and reject abusers from social circles to prevent harm.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include securing sustainable funding to continue public-interest work and expanding impact beyond Alaska. Opportunities include using documentary film and culturally grounded materials to educate the public and directly influence policymakers and funders.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Protecting children and families, elevating the voices of those most affected, preventing violence, and promoting a less violent, less dominant, and more egalitarian society.