Road Less Traveled Leads Laura Neuman to Howard County

Businesswoman, victims' advocate, risk-taker—Laura Neuman is bringing her unique perspective to the Economic Development Authority.

Laura Neuman grew up in a home of modest means. She worked hard, moving out as a teenager to make her own way without finishing high school. She faced adversity in her personal life. With a pillow over her face and a gun to her head, she was raped while in her own apartment, but she forged ahead. Finally, after years of perseverance and several entrepreneurial successes, she found herself with a proven track record, a solid set of skills, an MBA and a job offer with a $450,000 salary. What did Laura Neuman do? “I turned it down,” she said, laughing. “I went to a bankrupt start-up that could not pay me a salary. They were two weeks from going out of business. I paid my mortgage on a credit card. “Isn’t that crazy?” If it were crazy, it was …

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