Meet Laura Parker | Non Profit CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My husband Matt and I lived in Thailand with our three young children to do humanitarian work with a private family foundation. While there, we saw the realities of human trafficking — especially children and teenagers trapped in sex trafficking — and we were heartbroken and horrified. We knew we had to do something about what was happening, and we started looking for ways to help. Eventually, my husband was deputized as an informant with the Thai police and started going undercover to identify children being sold for sex throughout the red light districts in Thailand. As he did the work, we learned so much about the realities of combatting human trafficking crime and supporting law enforcement in that work. It was gritty work that brought us face-to-face with this issue and what it meant for so many kids, women and children that were trapped in it.

My husband and I eventually began the nonprofit The Exodus Road. Today, it operates in multiple countries around the world and has several offices throughout the United States.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have a background in writing, marketing, and education, but when my husband and I started The Exodus Road nonprofit while we were living internationally in Thailand, my career turned towards the nonprofit sector. Our nonprofit combats human trafficking holistically and we currently operate in several countries around the world, as well as in Colorado and throughout the United States.

As a founder in the nonprofit sector, working internationally and addressing a significant human rights crisis, this work has not been easy in any capacity, on any front. Managing the dueling needs of the program itself and the fundraising work to resource that program is not for the faint of heart.

As the organization has grown and as I’ve faced challenges, I have tried to keep in focus the importance of the mission and the health of the community that is The Exodus Road. When I want to quit, I think of our field teams on the front lines who give up sleep and comfort to walk alongside survivors in their hours of greatest need. I’d think about the highschooler who is donating money from their part-time job to this work of freedom, and I remember the law enforcement officers who put their lives at risk everyday — and I keep going. If they can do it, so can I. I really do find my inspiration from the community.

There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I’ve really found that to be true and a value I operate in. The work of making a world where no one is bought, sold, or exploited requires a marathon not a sprint mentality.

Grit is perseverance over time towards a singular mission, and The Exodus Road community demonstrates that again and again.

Today, The Exodus Road works to combat human trafficking crime alongside law enforcement here in Colorado and globally, provide direct services for survivors in their healing process, and offer prevention education programming for at-risk communities. Right now, we have a program called INFLUENCED (Http://influenced.org) which teaches parents and teens how to protect themselves from online exploitation – which is a critical need in today’s world.

Other things that keep me going in this work, after nearly 15 years? My husband of over 25 years and my three amazing kids — they are still my very favorite people to hang out with on the planet. I also love the Colorado outdoors, my two dogs, writing, and long walks with good podcasts.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d be outside as much as humanly possible! I love the Colorado outdoors and take our family into the wild as much as possible. I would take a day or two in the Breckenridge area for hikes, rivers, and the hot springs at Mt. Princeton. I would eat tacos at Machete Tequila + Tacos, and I would do the rooftop bar for fancy drinks at 54thirty Rooftop.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to dedicate my Shoutout to the global and local community of The Exodus Road. The staff, the supporters, and the partners are consistent inspirations to me, and I am deeply grateful for the work we get to do in the world.

Website: https://theexodusroad.com/

Instagram: @iamlauraparker

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-parker-223677112/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamlauraparker

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/theexodusroad

Other: http://influenced.org

Image Credits
Preston Goff , Mary Nikkel