About

Board Profile

Laura Orr is an accomplished executive and board advisor with two decades of healthcare operations, strategic planning, and board governance experience, combined with deep expertise in facilitation and executive coaching. As a Senior Partner in Leadership Advisory and WittKieffer’s Global Board Advisory Leader, Laura partners with clients to optimize board performance and leverage governance to drive strategy execution. Her areas of expertise include governance assessment, succession planning, board development plans, multi-year strategic plans, and one-on-one executive coaching. Laura also collaborates with colleagues in identifying and recruiting board members to align with organizational strategic priorities.

Laura’s approach is grounded in outstanding governance and leadership practices, balanced with an understanding of each client’s needs and context. She partners closely with organizations to tailor strategies that reflect their specific culture, goals, and challenges. By combining proven frameworks with practical customization, Laura helps boards, CEOs, and executive teams achieve meaningful, sustainable improvements in governance effectiveness and organizational leadership.

Prior to WittKieffer, Laura founded and grew her own firm, Forward Governance Consulting, providing support and guidance for boards of directors in healthcare, academic medicine, and related industries. Laura’s board consulting supported boards to evolve their structure, navigate leadership transitions, and align on strategy. Clients describe her approach as practical, candid, and grounded in real-world experience. Before that, she spent ten years with Children’s Wisconsin health system, most recently as Chief Strategy and Governance Officer, and held leadership roles with Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center as well as Methodist Healthcare. Laura serves as an advisor for The Governance Institute and is a certified coach through the College of Executive Coaching, International Coaching Federation, and BoardSource. She has served and continues to serve on nonprofit boards in her local community. 

Board Experience

Laura has served and held leadership positions on multiple non-profit boards. She leads the global board advisory practice for WittKieffer. 

Professional Summary

WittKieffer

2024-Current

Senior Partner, Global Board Advisory Leader

FORWARD GOVERNANCE CONSULTING Milwaukee,WI                                                                                                             2020- 2024

CEO/Consultant

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN     Milwaukee, WI                                                                                                               2010-2020

Chief Strategy and Governance Officer

METHODIST LE BONHEUR HEALTHCARE  Memphis, TN                                                                                                              2001-2010

Early Career History 

Over a nine year period in the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system, Laura led key operational areas as well as business development and strategy for multiple service lines including Pediatric Neurosciences, Neonatology, Pediatric General Surgery, and Trauma. She played key role in planning construction of new 220-bed facility and led the effort to add additional NICU beds and to elevate the trauma program to a Level I trauma center.

Recognition & Awards

Publications

1. Orr, L 2020, ‘Beyond Bylaws: Four Health Care Governance Lessons from COVID-19’, American Hospital Association: Trustee Insights, May 2020, https://trustees.aha.org/beyond-bylaws-four-health-care-governance-lessons-covid-19
2. Orr, L 2020, ‘The Socially Distant Board Room: Maximizing Virtual Governance’, American Hospital Association: Trustee Insights, September 2020, https://trustees.aha.org/socially-distant-board-room-maximizing-virtual-governance
3. Orr, L 2021, ‘Assessing Overall Board Effectiveness’, American Hospital Association: Trustee Insights, May 2021, https://trustees.aha.org/assessing-overall-board-effectiveness-key-elements-success-consider
4. Orr, L 2021, ‘Preparing for the Next Unknown: Three Questions Every Board Should Ask’, The Governance Institute: Pediatric Focus, June 2021, https://www.forwardgovernanceconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ped-Fcs_Preparing-for-the-Next-Unknown-_June-2021_Orr.pdf
5. Orr, L 2021, ‘How Children’s Minnesota Makes DEI Efforts a Priority’, American Hospital Association: Trustee Insights, September 2021, https://trustees.aha.org/how-childrens-minnesota-makes-dei-efforts-priority
6. Orr, L 2022, ‘The Board’s Role in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A New Year, Renewed Energy, and Drive for Change’, The Governance Institute: E-Briefings, January 2022, https://www.governanceinstitute.com/page/EBriefings_V19N1Jan2022#hide2

Personal

Laura lives in Wauwatosa, WI with her husband and two children. She enjoys reading, cycling and spending time with family. Laura is passionate about the non-profit boards she serves and is committed to the health and well-being of kids and families in our community.