Laura Stephens

Laura Stephens is a seasoned real estate executive, consultant, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in commercial real estate, corporate occupier services, and education-focused real estate solutions. She is the Co-founder of FoundationEd, LLC, a consulting firm she established to support charter schools the country in navigating the complexities of real estate acquisition, financing, and facility planning. Through FoundationEd, Laura helps schools develop structured governance protocols, establish sustainable financial strategies, and make informed real estate decisions that align with their long-term success.

Laura’s expertise spans real estate acquisitions, lease negotiations, corporate portfolio strategy, and project management. Prior to launching FoundationEd, she held executive roles at leading firms such as Insignia Realty, Franklin Street, Equifax, and Cushman & Wakefield, where she advised corporations and institutions on optimizing their real estate portfolios. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed multimillion-dollar transactions,

She developed real estate strategies that drive growth and efficiency, and built strong relationships across municipalities, government entities, and private sector partners. Beyond her professional achievements, Laura is deeply committed to education and community development. She was a founding member of a successful charter school, a progressive charter school in Atlanta, and has played a key role in advising government entities on the real estate needs of charter schools in Georgia.

Laura holds an MBA in Real Estate from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University. She is a licensed real estate professional in Georgia and has been recognized by the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club for her outstanding achievements in the industry. Connect with Ms. Stephens to accelerate your facility solutions.

Dr. Dawn Gregory

Dr. Dawn Gregory, co-founder of FoundationEd, LLC, specializes in facility planning, operational excellence and strategic leadership. She is a former Chief Operating Officer with extensive transformation expertise. She helps charter school administrators and purpose-driven organizations optimize their business systems, financial management, governance, and vendor oversight. Notably, she expanded six facility operations into four states, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex leasing and construction scenarios. This expansion resulted in measurable outcomes, including revenue growth, operational savings, and increased organizational effectiveness.

Her pioneering work in AI solutions at the world’s busiest airport and leadership in Atlanta’s Smart City initiative inform her approach to operational excellence, strategic leadership, and digital transformation. Drawing on her experience as a charter school board member, she navigated the authorization process, established foundational systems, and fostered leadership development. Her involvement as a member of the White House’s MetroLab Network demonstrates her ability to manage complex government, academic, and community collaborations, reflecting her skill in managing high-stakes, cross-organizational initiatives and political dynamics. Furthering her expertise, her role on Georgia State University’s School of Business Advisory Board provides deep insights into higher education strategy, policy, and the evolving needs of future students.

Holding a Doctorate in Business Administration and certifications from Stanford and Cornell Universities, Dr. Gregory combines practical expertise with cutting-edge innovation and academic rigor. Whether addressing operational challenges, enhancing board effectiveness, or driving transformative initiatives, Dr. Gregory’s breadth and depth of experience uniquely equip her to tackle your organization’s most pressing challenges. Connect with Dr. Gregory and FoundationEd today for a consultation and start transforming your operational vision into reality.