Laurie Benson
Laurie Benson
About
Board Profile
She has served as an independent director on 8 corporate Boards in the technology, finance, insurance, engineering, manufacturing, and professional services industries.
Current corporate board service:
First Business Financial Services (NASDAQ: FBIZ) December 2018-present
Governance and Nominating Committee, Chair, Compensation Committee, Member
Directors Trust Committee 2018-present
First Business Bank Madison, Director 2009-present
Bassett Mechanical, Director 2012-present
MIG Commercial Real Estate, Director 2013-present
NACD Cyber Risk Oversight Certificate
CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight is issued by the CERT Division of the Software
Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LSB UNLIMITED, CEO Madison, WI 2009–present Business consulting firm
- C-Suite Advisor to CEOs, Presidents, and Entrepreneurs on complex issues including board governance, strategy, business growth, innovation, high performance teams, human resources and succession planning
- Serves as an active, engaged member of corporate boards
ICEO, LHH's boutique leadership transition practice, Senior Advisor 2025-present
- Advises global clients at the highest levels across industries
- Serves as trusted advisor and thought partner to CEOs and other C-Suite leaders as they explore new career options
NURSES ON BOARDS COALITION, Executive Director 2016-2024, Executive Director Emeritus 2025
Created in 2014, nationwide non-profit improving health in communities across the nation through the service of nurses on boards
- Hired as first Executive Director March 2016
- Coalition became independent, 501 (c) (3) public charity June 2017
- Created and successfully implemented fundraising strategy to support and sustain the organization
- Built nationwide infrastructure, including network of volunteers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia
- Engaged diverse stakeholders including 28 national nursing association members, 50+ strategic partners/sponsors
- Achieved founders' key strategy of 10,000 board seats filled by nurses, outside the nursing profession
- Transitioned to Emeritus status coinciding with NOBC's 10-year anniversary milestone
INACOM INFORMATIONS SYSTEMS, Co-Founder and CEO Madison, WI 1984-2009
Business solutions provider specializing in technology consulting, education and procurement
- Co-founded and led statewide IT systems integrator from inception to time of sale
- Developed the enterprise-wide business strategy and grew revenues from start up to $80M with 150+ employees across 3 offices
- Created a focused vision for organizational growth leveraging organic and M&A strategies
- Developed business optimization strategies resulting in the evolution from a commodity-based solution to a service-centric solution.
- As part of the evolution, built one of largest Microsoft Education Centers in the US; recognized as Microsoft’s Worldwide Education Partner of the Year for client-centered implementations
- Achieved high level national industry strategic partner rankings with Cisco, Microsoft, HP, and EMC
- Selected by Ingram Micro executives to chair VentureTech Network Council, an industry peer group representing aggregate revenues of $1.2B
- Served on Hewlett-Packard Small and Medium Size Business (SMB) Advisory Council, 2002 -2008 and US Microsoft Value Added Reseller (VAR) Leadership Council, 2002–2004
- Developed a corporate board of directors, created the board charter vetted board candidates
- Created and implemented organizational plans to ensure a successful transition post sale of the company
XEROX – Sales/Sales Manager 1976–1984
AMERICAN RED CROSS – Nurse 1975–1976
Recognition & Awards
Ms. Benson has received honors and awards including WAA (University of Wisconsin Alumni Association) Distinguished Alumni Award 2013, University of Wisconsin Madison Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Award 2013, induction
“”In Business” 2011 Executive Hall of Fame, ATHENA Award 2010, National SBA Women Business Champion 2009, and “Top 25 Most Influential IT Executives-U.S.” Computer Reseller News 2004.
Personal
Ms. Benson enjoys diverse business opportunities, working with leaders to bring about great outcomes. She thrives on new ideas, recognizes and acts on opportunities and pursues adventures. She views all people as equal, with different roles and responsibilities, each making a contribution in unique ways. She finds inspiration in giving her full attention to everyone she meets by hearing their stories, supporting their life journeys and exploring ways to make a collective impact.Additional Info
Which Public BOD do you serve on? : First Business Financial Services Inc., Nasdaq: FBIZ First Business Bank
Which private board do you serve on? : MIG Commercial Real Estate, Bassett Mechanical
Do you serve on any nonprofit boards? : University of Wisconsin Research Park, University of WI-Madison School of Nursing
Skills : Corporate Governance, Human Resources, Manufacturing, Sales, Technology/Digital/Cybersecurity, Risk & Compliance
P&L Responsibility : $50-100M
Leadership on Board : Director, Committee Chair
Level of Experience : CEO, Consultant
Company Revenue : $50M to $250M, $1B - 3B, $3B+
Industry : Financial Services, Healthcare/Pharma/Med Devices, Industrial/Manufacturing, Non-for-Profit/Education, Private Equity, Professional Services, Real Estate, Technology/Digital
Committees : Compensation, Nominating & Governance
Board Experience : Public, Private Equity, Private, Family-Owned, Non-for-Profit