“Coaching is unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance.”
Dr. Laura Fitzgerald is a dynamic leader, educator, and coach whose passion for empowering others has shaped her distinguished career in higher education and organizational development. With over 15 years of experience, she has cultivated a reputation as a strategic thinker and compassionate leader dedicated to student success, inclusive leadership, and evidence-based coaching practices. Her work bridges academic theory and applied leadership, offering institutions and individuals a unique lens through which to grow, thrive, and transform.
Laura’s journey began in the fitness and wellness sector, where her deep commitment to human development first took root. As Healthy Lifestyles Director at the YMCA, she championed community health initiatives, managing staff and launching inclusive programs that addressed disparities in wellness education. Her early roles as an exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer instilled a foundational understanding of motivation, behavioral change, and goal-setting—skills that would later inform her coaching philosophy and academic pursuits.
Transitioning into higher education, Laura brought her human-centric approach to Stony Brook University, where she served as Assistant Director of Fitness & Wellness. There, she managed expansive health programs and an $80K operating budget while mentoring over 50 student employees. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she not only maintained service delivery but also innovated hybrid wellness offerings that increased engagement by 20% and boosted social media reach by 40%. Her ability to adapt under pressure and keep people connected underscored her leadership maturity and vision.
Her impact deepened further at Keuka College, where she was rapidly promoted from Director of Campus Recreation to Director of Student Leadership and Engagement. Laura expanded her focus to include DEI programming, student leadership development, and retention strategies. Her workshops on inclusive leadership and club development became pillars of the student experience, and her strategic supervision of teams demonstrated her knack for cultivating both community and accountability. Laura’s leadership style—firm yet empathetic—empowered students to find their voice, take ownership of their development, and build resilient peer networks.
At St. John Fisher University, Laura’s leadership entered a new phase of institutional influence. As Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, she launched the highly regarded Leadership Lab Series, which boosted student organization participation by 30% and positioned her as a driving force for culture-building on campus. She developed asynchronous leadership modules through Brightspace, innovatively blending coaching theory with digital tools to create scalable, learner-centered experiences. Her integration of the GROW coaching model into student leadership programs helped participants build clarity, reflection, and strategic thinking—skills that extended far beyond the classroom.
Laura’s academic excellence is matched by her practical insights. She holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership and Innovation from Marymount University, where her dissertation explored the application of the GROW coaching model to student government leadership. Through this research, she demonstrated that structured coaching frameworks can significantly enhance student identity formation and leadership capacity. Her commitment to scholarship is evident not only in her published work through ProQuest but also in her instructional and workshop engagements across institutions.
A recognized thought leader and coach, Laura is a member of the International Coaching Federation and a candidate for Silver Coach Certification with Performance Consultants International. Her coaching sessions, whether in academic settings or with early-career professionals, are rooted in evidence-based methodology and an unwavering belief in the potential of the individual. She is especially effective in helping emerging leaders clarify their goals, navigate complex decisions, and connect their personal values to organizational missions.
Beyond her academic and coaching roles, Laura’s character is shaped by her curiosity and drive for personal growth. An avid scuba diver and powerlifter, she channels discipline and exploration into every facet of her life. These passions mirror her professional ethos: to dive deep, lift others, and build strength through resilience and reflection. Her personal pursuits align seamlessly with her work as a coach and educator, bringing balance and authenticity to her leadership.
Her influence also extends to strategic planning and accreditation, where she has served on Middle States accreditation committees and partnered with senior leadership on institutional culture strategy. Laura understands how to align people, systems, and values in a way that fosters sustainable growth. Whether supervising staff, advising student organizations, or facilitating leadership retreats, her approach is inclusive, intentional, and always focused on unlocking potential.
Dr. Laura Fitzgerald is now seeking board service opportunities with institutions and organizations aligned with education, nonprofit, or coaching-centered missions. Her unique combination of academic research, operational leadership, and people-first coaching offers exceptional value to boards focused on talent development, strategic culture building, and leadership pipeline growth. She is ready to contribute her wisdom, energy, and collaborative spirit to mission-driven organizations that believe in the power of human capital and organizational transformation.
Character:
Laura’s professional path reflects a deep commitment to integrity, service, and personal growth. Her leadership is grounded in empathy and fueled by a desire to see others succeed on their own terms. Whether in coaching sessions or institutional leadership roles, she inspires trust through consistency, thoughtfulness, and values-driven action.
Knowledge:
Laura possesses advanced academic training combined with real-world experience in education, coaching, and wellness. Her doctoral research, combined with her practitioner insight, allows her to translate theory into actionable strategies that drive meaningful change. She is a lifelong learner who actively engages with emerging trends in coaching, leadership, and organizational design.
Strategic:
Throughout her career, Laura has demonstrated the ability to design and execute high-impact programs that meet institutional goals while centering human development. She identifies patterns, connects people with purpose, and builds systems that scale. Her work in digital leadership modules and inclusive engagement strategies shows a strategic agility that is both innovative and grounded.
Communication:
Laura excels in creating clarity through every interaction—whether she is speaking at a workshop, coaching a student, or collaborating with a board. Her communication style is direct, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent, allowing her to connect across diverse audiences. She is a storyteller at heart, using language to build bridges, inspire confidence, and drive shared understanding.
https://sites.google.com/marymount.edu/edd-lfitzgerald-fa22/home?authuser=0
