The History and Career of Visionary Leader Laura McQuade

Transformational and visionary leader Laura McQuade has made her mark in the business world. As an advocate for change, growth, and development, McQuade is at the forefront of innovation.

The level of leadership and insight she offers can not only help companies reach more clients but can also encourage organizations to make a difference in the communities where they're located and where they serve. That fosters a higher level of growth for the companies, the clients, and the community as a whole.

McQuade most commonly works with companies located in the healthcare, public policy, and finance sectors. She's a visionary at the C-Suite level, and often assumes the role of CEO, COO, or CFO for companies that look for her knowledge and services.

By taking everything she can from all her experiences, McQuade has found a way to further develop that insight in her own strategic consulting firm, called Airmedh Advisory.

The Foundation of Her Education

The journey McQuade undertook to create stronger and healthier communities started with studying at the College of the Holy Cross. She majored in political science, and learned what it took to improve quality of life for many people by serving the public.

She then graduated with her BA, and enrolled at Yale University, where she earned a master's degree in international relations. Her journey allowed her to gain significant insight that would allow for the development of a rewarding career and a high degree of success.

The Accomplishments in Her Career

After graduating from Yale, McQuade decided on a job in international affairs, becoming a grants officer and field officer at the National Democratic Institute. Through that role, she was able to serve as an election monitor in the South African elections that brought Nelson Mandela to power and to provide capacity building support to NGOs around the globe looking to empower their citizens and hold their governments accountable for transparency and providing critical support and services to their communities.

She spent a year in that role, and recommitted herself to underserved populations. Eventually, she became President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas City, and then later moved to the same role for Greater New York. Through that role, she was able to work in her community. Along the way, she achieved a lot of significant goals, which included:

Help for Non-Profits

McQuade helped both the Czech Republic and Slovakia through USAID programs, during her time as Chief Financial and Operating Officer at The Foundation for a Civil Society. She not only helped communities in those areas thrive, but also worked to develop self-sustaining nonprofits.

A Boost for Financial Systems

At Financial Services Volunteer Corps, McQuade worked her way up through the ranks and improved financial systems around the world. She started in the role of Director of Finance and Administration, and eventually moved into the role of Managing Director. During her journey there, she worked with financial projects in India, Thailand, and other developing areas.

Expanded Access to Healthcare

By 2008, McQuade had moved from the financial sector to healthcare, when she joined the Center for Reproductive Rights. Her role there was Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO, and she was instrumental in shaping the organization's vision. Promoting the organization's growth and the success of their programs was a strong focus for McQuade during this time.

Six years later, she moved to Planned Parenthood Great Plains, and continued her focus on healthcare development. During her time as President and CEO there, there were two mergers which improved healthcare access for Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. The same role at the Greater New York area branch of the organization helped McQuade improve healthcare in that state and beyond, as well.

Consulting Services for Local Organizations

By the middle of 2020, McQuade was looking carefully at nonprofit and for-profit organizations throughout the United States. She saw their need for transformation and innovation, and decided that launching a consulting company was the right choice for her next adventure. From that focus, Airmedh Advisory was created.

McQuade's main client base for her consulting business is companies in the healthcare and finance sectors. Most notably, she works with organizations that are helping underserved populations. Helping them over hurdles and expanding their reach allows them to grow and develop more fully. McQuade also provides interim leadership services, for companies that need it.

Her Accolades and Awards

As McQuade's work ripples through healthcare and financial sectors, people are noticing all she has to offer. Most notably, she's been named to recent Top 100 Influential People lists, such as those for:

• Crain's 2019 Most Powerful Women in New York

• City & State New York: The 2018 Women Power 100

• City & State New York: The 2019 Nonprofit Power 100

Her most recent award is the City & State New York: The 2019 Above and Beyond, which features a top 30 list of women leaders in their fields. There's no doubt that McQuade will continue working to make a difference in the world.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes