Get to Know Laura

Dr. Laura Spencer is a trailblazer at the intersection of empathetic leadership and emerging technology. A seasoned educator turned systems-level innovator, Laura has spent her career transforming how schools lead, teach, and learn. From classroom teacher to Chief Academic Officer, she’s led large-scale initiatives in AI integration, XR/VR implementation, and design thinking—proving again and again that technology, when grounded in humanity, can change everything.

An award-winning leader and sought-after speaker, Laura has been recognized as an Innovative Educator, Administrator of the Year, and San Diego County Top Tech Exec. She’s earned honors including a CUE Gold Disk and the Classroom of the Future Innovate Award for her visionary impact. Laura has developed groundbreaking AI-focused curricula, including a graduate-level course on AI in Education and a comprehensive program on the legal and ethical implications of AI for educators.

As a keynote speaker and leadership strategist, she empowers school systems and organizations nationwide to build innovative, future-ready cultures without losing their soul in the process. Her work has been featured on leading education and technology platforms and continues to shape the national conversation around what it truly means to lead through change with empathy.

Beyond the podium and boardroom, Laura is a proud Navy mom of two daughters, a U.S. Army veteran, and a firm believer that leadership doesn’t have to be sterile to be strong. You’re just as likely to find her mapping the future of education as you are to catch her on a paddleboard or behind the wheel of one of her classic Land Rovers—because blazing new trails isn’t just what she does. It’s who she is.