Laura and Dawn’s journey began as founding board members of a statewide charter school, where they were responsible for governance and fiduciary oversight. Dr. Gregory served as Board Chair, driving strategic decision-making, while Laura led the Facilities Committee, ensuring the school identified and maintained a suitable location. They navigated the complexities of securing state approval from the State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC), establishing governance structures, and identifying a suitable location.

When the original school location fell through, Laura pivoted quickly, securing an off-market facility that became the school’s home – a pivotal move that allowed the school to establish itself in a cost-effective, scalable space. Together, they guided the management team and board in negotiating a favorable lease—so innovative that it has since been used as an exemplar in statewide charter school training.

Once the school opened, they encountered industry-wide challenges: lower-than-expected first-year enrollment, governance gaps, and operational inefficiencies. While there are plenty of school resources focused on academics, they quickly realized that the business side of education often lacked structure, clarity, and proper support. Governance lacked depth, financial decisions were rushed, and there was a widespread absence of business acumen that could have strengthened school operations.

As Board Chair, Dr. Gregory worked to strengthen management’s financial and operational expertise, translating the Comprehensive Performance Framework into actionable insights for the board. When a high-risk loan threatened to derail the school’s financial future, she led a reassessment that prevented a disastrous commitment, ensuring a more sustainable financial strategy. Meanwhile, Laura trained the finance committee on the hidden costs of commercial real estate, equipping them to make informed, long-term decisions that aligned with the school’s financial capacity.

Beyond financial and governance hurdles, they tackled a wave of first-time challenges: student discipline issues, teacher turnover, and unexpected operational crises. Dr. Gregory ensured the proper resources and supports were in place to bolster leadership effectiveness, address blind spots, and guide the school onto a path of stability and success. She also mentored and prepared a successor, ensuring continuity and governance strength for the future

Through these experiences, Laura and Dawn saw a critical gap in the industy—schools were educational institutions, but they also needed to function as high-performing businesses. Inspired by their firsthand challenges and insights, they co-founded FoundationEd—a consultancy dedicated to equipping schools and purpose-driven organizations with the strategies, tools, and resources to build a foundation for excellence.

Because strong schools require strong business systems and strategic facilities. And with the right foundation, educational institutions can thrive—both academically and operationally.