Laura Hawley serves as an Ambassador with Foundation for Women Warriors, where she champions the organization’s mission to honor and empower women veterans and their families. In this role, she brings decades of military leadership, mentorship, and advocacy experience to help elevate awareness, strengthen community connection, and support women veterans as they transition and thrive beyond service.
Raised in Thomaston, Connecticut, Laura enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the summer of her junior year of high school where she began her career as an Administrative Clerk. Laura completed more than 20 years of honorable service in the Marine Corps, including 16 years as a Career Planner, where she guided Marines through some of the most critical decisions of their careers. Her service included multiple deployments across both friendly and austere environments, experiences that broadened her global perspective and deepened her commitment to people-first leadership.
Following retirement, Laura briefly entered the corporate sector during the COVID era but found herself drawn back to mission-driven work and community impact. She then completed a rigorous yearlong internship with a nonprofit that trains and certifies service dogs matching them with disabled veterans at no cost. Today, she serves on the organization’s client selection review committee, helping ensure veterans are paired with life-changing service dogs that restore independence and opportunity.
Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Laura is deeply committed to health, fitness, and lifelong adventure. She enjoys traveling whenever possible and especially when she can bring along her black lab, Perry.
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