Laura Newstead joined the Calmer Choice Board of Directors in October 2018. She relocated from Michigan to the Cape in March 2016 to come aboard the Cape Cod Five as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. Laura is married and has four kids: two who have just fledged the nest and two teenagers who are still home.
Her background is in secondary education and human resources. She is also completing her Ph.D. dissertation on the relationship between work engagement and positive psychology; that is, on how a positive outlook affects how employees feel about their work and the organizations they work for.
Laura learned about Calmer Choice while serving as a mentor for Cape Cod Young Professionals ("CCYP"). She brings to the board an enthusiasm for positive psychology tools, such as mindfulness, and a commitment to community engagement. In addition to her volunteer work with Calmer Choice and CCYP, she mentors for Entrepreneurs 4 All and serves on the Board of Trustees for Cape Cod Community College.
Laura believes that difficult experiences are learning experiences and that there have always been people, in every step of her career, who helped her grow. On a personal level, one of her favorite things about the Cape in the summer is all of the buzz and energy. To relax, Laura gathers sea glass during beach walks on Town Neck Beach in Sandwich.