Laura Cooley

Consultant, facilitator, executive coach, speaker/trainer, Founder of Developing Construction Leaders

Over my career, I have morphed from an engineer to an on-site construction professional to a corporate leader to an entrepreneur. I have developed a deep respect for the industry and what I call the “Construction Miracle”. Even though I have been involved in multiple aspects of construction, I am always amazed that buildings are ever finished: so many people, so many challenges, so many tools, materials, and resources. It really seems impossible; and yet, the evidence is there for all to see in every road, bridge, and building.

I have focused my energy on leadership development in the construction industry because I respect the work, the risks, the people it takes to make vison a reality. I like to think my work helps nurture business and future leaders. I believe healthy cultures are comprised of people who feel like they belong and are valued and that these environments are made and destroyed by the day-to-day human interactions at every level of an organization. This is why developing talent, cultivating leaders, building high-performance teams, operating effectively and efficiently are all intertwined and mutually important. When I consult, I emphasize the interaction of strategy, process, results, and people. When I conduct training, I seek to spark insight--I look for that moment when each person finds something they make their own so they can apply it the very next day.

Being in the construction industry since 1998, Laura has had diverse opportunities as an employee, consultant, and leader in global and national AEC firms and organizations.

She is an experienced leader, coach, and manager of small and large, multi-stakeholder groups and teams focused on leadership, strategy, operational excellence, learning and development.

Laura Cooley is currently a consultant, facilitator, executive coach, speaker/trainer, Founder of Developing Construction Leaders www.developingconstructionleaders.com, member of the Board of Directors for the Construction Institute, and Chair of the Board of Advisors for Nona Volleyball Academy.

Past lives include:
Associate Vice President & Director of Training and Development for Limbach managing all training and development for the company’s ten business units and held a seat on the company’s Women In Construction and Service Advisory Board with special emphasis on mentorship, leadership and training. She co-created and delivered the company’s 2-day safety culture and leadership program: The Heart of Hearts and Minds.

Gilbane Building Company Senior Manager of Operational Excellence leading Operational Excellence and Learning & Development for the New York Region. Laura developed and managed a team which analyzed and aligned procedures, training, and operational quality management as well as developed Business Intelligence Analytics for the region.

Director of Performance Excellence for Bovis Lend Lease facilitating partnering, learning, and project risk mitigation for the Northeast, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

Laura holds a BS of Industrial Engineering and has been an examiner for the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence - Baldrige Award; an ISO 9000 auditor; a QualTec SixSigma Instructor for Facilitator Skills, Team Leaders and Project Success Planning; and holds additional certifications as a Six Sigma Green Belt, Scrum Master and DDI Course Instructor.