Her Story
About Laureen
Laureen Lipsky is the CEO and Founder of Taking Back the Narrative, a Zionism education company focused on providing historical education about Judean history, Israel, and Zionism. Laureen entered this field in 2014 and built her work around addressing gaps in public understanding of Israel’s history and promoting education as a way to combat antisemitism. She began her journey as an op-ed writer, being published more than 50 times in Judean and non-Judean publications, including The Federalist, Israel Hayom, and American Thinker, before launching her own educational company. Laureen brings a diverse professional background spanning finance, advertising, real estate, fundraising, and nonprofit management. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a focus in Finance from American University and later completed a Masters of Science in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. Her previous career experiences include working in advertising, serving as a pricing analyst at Corcoran Sunshine, founding a fundraising events company called Charity Scene, and spending six years in nonprofit management.
After experiencing a major health challenge in 2019, Laureen chose to dedicate her career to Zionism education and founded Taking Back the Narrative to create accessible educational resources and programs to effectively counter antisemitism. Through Taking Back the Narrative, Laureen develops educational materials, provides educator training, and delivers speaking engagements focused on Israel and Judean history, through the lens of Judean empowerment instead of victimhood.
Her flagship course, Israel Explained: Through the Lens of History, is a six-week program designed to explore historical events from ancient times through Israel's liberation in 1948 and has reached participants from diverse backgrounds around the world. Laureen is recognized for her expertise in Zionism education, public speaking, media training, and nonprofit leadership. She is also involved with several community and advocacy organizations, including the American Sephardi Federation, ZAKA, and Tunnels to Towers, while enjoying tennis, cultural experiences, reading, and international travel.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Laureen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and the entrepreneurial mindset I developed at a young age. As a teenager, I started my own babysitting business by creating flyers, building client relationships, and learning how to provide reliable service. By the age of 15, I had grown the business and even managed others who worked with me. That early experience taught me the value of determination, leadership, and taking initiative—qualities that continue to shape my success today.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to follow their passion, stay true to their principles, and create a clear plan for their vision. Passion can open doors, even if the path includes unexpected turns or challenges along the way. I encourage women to think beyond limitations, set goals for the future, and recognize that their potential is far greater than they may realize. With determination, preparation, and confidence, they can build the success they envision.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is pushing beyond the status quo and encouraging established organizations to embrace new approaches. While legacy organizations have valuable experience and influence, there is often resistance to change, even when more effective strategies and opportunities for growth are available. The challenge is finding ways to collaborate professionally while helping others recognize the need to adapt. At the same time, the greatest opportunity lies in partnering with emerging organizations that understand the importance of reaching broader audiences, building meaningful relationships, and engaging people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to making a positive impact.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most in both my work and personal life are integrity, hard work, perseverance, and relationship building. I believe integrity is the foundation of everything, and I am committed to working with people and organizations that align with those values. I have learned that success requires resilience—continuing to pursue opportunities even when faced with rejection, knowing that the right “yes” can make all the difference. I also value building meaningful relationships, stepping outside my comfort zone, and embracing new spaces and challenges with confidence and purpose.
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