Laura Stone, Managing Partner

Laura Stone has a background in consulting for Fortune 500 companies; she founded Boston-based Stone + Company 20 years ago to help top leaders and their teams deal with the social and organizational challenges that were interfering with their ability to define, align, and deliver effective strategies that would achieve key corporate goals.  Based on the results of that work, Laura and her team developed The Planned Advantage,™ an integrated strategic planning process that applies research and development tools to quantify superior leadership attributes.  Her clients have included a broad range of industries and sectors including manufacturing, retail, pharmaceuticals, financial services, technology, energy, consumer products, and non-profits.

Laura is a contributing editor for HRO Today, serving as a thought leader on change and transformation -- not just for outsourcing but across industry in general.  Laura has also published articles in major business journals including Top Consultant, Strategy & Leadership, Women’s Business Boston, IndUS Business Journal, CEO Refresher and Consulting Times. Business Strategy Magazine selected Laura’s article, “When an Initiative Is Stalled by Warring Factions” for re-publication in Strategic Direction Journal’s collection of “best articles.” Laura was quoted extensively in a major Harvard Management Update article on the topic of “Diagnosing and Fixing Dysfunctional Teams.”

Ms. Stone served on the board for Bailey’s Team, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to support individuals, families and organizations who either have or support those with autism.  Laura has also served as CEO and President of the Massachusetts Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation and as Chair of the foundation’s corporate Board. She is a former advisor to the City Year Rhode Island Social Entrepreneur Fellowship program. Laura is a Badger, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Laura is a water sports lover and is passionate about playing on and in the ocean with her husband Lee, her two children, Sophie and Jackson, and her English Yellow Lab, Bella.  She formerly held a U.S. Coast Guard license to captain a 50-ton vessel and currently enjoys participating in triathlons in her spare time.