Laura Lane Taylor

Sunshine Enterprises
Director

Laura Lane Taylor is the Managing Director of Programs for Sunshine Enterprises, whose mission is to empower high-potential entrepreneurs living in under-resourced neighborhoods to grow their businesses and transform their communities.  At Sunshine, Laura supports a team of over 50 instructors, coaches and staff who implement the Community Business Academy and Business Acceleration Services for over 1300 entrepreneurs in the Greater Chicagoland area in partnership with many colleagues in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. A graduate herself of the Community Business Academy, Laura has developed and implemented other adult participatory training methodologies in community, seminary and vocational school settings. Laura serves as a National Trainer of the Community Business Academy with the Rising Tide Capital Network and is a Faculty Presenter at the Experiential Classroom annual entrepreneurship training conference hosted by the University of Tampa and Notre Dame.

Laura is a public sector professional, community development practitioner and community organizer. Laura has deep experience in building start-up institutions, community and civic engagement, as well as community-based digital and information technology initiatives.  Laura is a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and has served on several non-profit boards. Laura received her B.A. in International Relations from Lake Forest College and J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. She lives in Woodlawn with her partner and the youngest of their four children.