Name: Laura Rankin
Title: Strategist
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Fun fact: I have an advanced scuba diving certification and my favorite animal is a sea turtle
Tell us about your background. How did you end up at tPX?
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in strategic communication and then spent a couple of years traveling and exploring the world. People often think of their career as a ladder, but I’ve always pictured mine as more of a jungle gym. This playful yet intentional approach to professional development has taken me from teaching English in Vietnam to leading client accounts for a creative strategy agency, which ultimately led me to clarity on my professional purpose. I was always passionate about nature, but I credit my travels to raising my awareness of the world around me, illuminating the different system dynamics at play in our society, awakening my intrinsic passion for sustainability and social justice. I was ultimately inspired to get my MBA in sustainability from Presidio Graduate School. I don’t think I’d ever come across a job description that felt like a “perfect fit” due to my unconventional educational and professional background until I found tPX, and I’m deeply grateful that I did!
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Working with genuine, passionate people (both tPXers and clients) to co-create solutions that unlock triple bottom-line benefits with the shared goal of driving a more just and regenerative future.
thinkPARALLAX’s purpose is to inspire fresh perspectives on sustainable business transformation. What perspective do you bring to tPX, our clients, and/or our industry?
I’m an advocate for the power of leveraging cognitive diversity and creating space at the table for voices and perspectives that may have previously gone unheard or been cast aside. I believe we can go farther together, and that the sum of us is far greater than our individual parts. I also believe that we already have the tools we need to solve the greatest challenges facing us today, and that many of the solutions involve slowing down and reconnecting to our roots.
What is a project you’ve worked on (at tPX or a previous role) that you really enjoyed or that felt meaningful?
As a graduate student consultant, I supported the Maldives Climate Adaptation Project which aims to lead the global tourism industry in adaptation innovation through centering communities and regenerating nature. The project incorporates community experiences, products, and priorities to leverage locally-led tourism models that increase resilience for local businesses, while driving biodiversity and conservation outcomes in the Horsburgh Atoll.
What causes are you most interested in?
Some of the causes I’m most interested in include climate change mitigation, environmental justice, animal welfare, gender parity, ocean health, and improving access to nutritious foods and mindfulness tools to improve holistic wellbeing.
What brings you joy outside of work?
Quality time with the creatures I love (especially my little niece and nephew and my XL chocolate lab, Moose), outdoor adventures, practicing and teaching yoga, live music, community building, cooking and sharing meals, and photography.
