Laura Hamilton

Laura Lacy Hamilton is a mission-driven executive leader with a distinguished career spanning public policy, nonprofit management, and community development. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a BS in Public Policy from The College of William and Mary. Laura has extensive hands-on experience in shaping solutions, policies, and programs to address pressing societal issues.

As the founding Executive Director of Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, Laura pioneered initiatives to enhance college and career access for Lynchburg graduates. Under her leadership, Beacon of Hope launched Virginia's first universal promise scholarship program. She has worked to establish High School Future Centers in ten localities across the Commonwealth, launch an experiential high school internship program, and through the Stay Close, Go Far Scholarship program, her work has significantly increased post-secondary enrollment and retention rates. Her fundraising and community engagement efforts have forged valuable partnerships with local educational institutions and industries, underscoring her dedication to creating lasting positive change.

Her commitment to civic engagement is reflected in her active involvement with various organizations and initiatives. She has served on the Board of Directors for Centra Health, the Easley Foundation, Lynchburg Area Development Corporation, HumanKind, the University of Lynchburg Community Engagement Advisory Board and the Leadership Advisory of National College Promise in Washington, DC. Her tenure as President of the Junior League of Lynchburg and her decade-long service on the City of Lynchburg Planning Commission highlight her dedication to community development.

Laura's early career includes roles as an independent nonprofit consultant, Director of Fund Development at The Children's Museum of Washington, Budget & Legislative Analyst at The White House Office of Management & Budget, journalist, public radio news show cohost, Senate candidate liaison, and Congressional staff person. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award (2024) and the Vice Mayor’s Award for Excellence (2007).

Laura has been named among the top civic leaders in Lynchburg Living and Lynchburg Business Magazines and was listed as one of “Lynchburg’s 15 Most Influential People Under the Hill” by Lynchburg Living Magazine in 2008. She is an APA certified Planning Commissioner,  a licensed private pilot and certified Wilderness First Responder.