Laura Moore

Non-Profit Executive/Civic Leader

Growing up in historic Big Spring, Texas, Laura Warren found the West Texas town to be her launching pad for big dreams and great accomplishments.

Laura was blessed to have loving parents who invested in her in lasting ways. Her mother was a strong role model who dearly loved her and was a beloved Nana to Laura’s daughters. From junior high, Laura carried a legal pad with her and was on the lookout for projects with which to become involved. This practice continues today.

Following high school graduation, Laura enrolled in Hardin-Simmons University, a campus she came to love – a special place where she made her mark and life-long friendships.  At HSU, Laura participated in Student Government and served as president of the Student Congress her senior year. Following graduation, she attended the University of Manchester in Manchester, England as a Rotary Foundation Scholar completing a master’s degree in education.

Laura then returned to Abilene where she married HSU alum Jay Moore. Once again, Laura picked up her legal pad as she embarked on her professional career and civic opportunities. Highlights of her career include a 12-year stint in administration at HSU, serving as Director of Alumni, in Marketing and Enrollment Services, and as Assistant to the President. During this time, she coordinated the HSU Centennial Celebration which included 100 events, and the development of the first phase of the Alumni Plaza.

Following her time at HSU, Laura served as Director of the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature and as coordinator for “Reach Out and Read West Texas.”  Additionally, as Director of Development, she worked on the Hendrick Children’s Hospital fundraising campaign where she enlisted Michael Berenstain, author of The Berenstain Bear books, to allow the hospital to name each room in the children’s hospital for a different book.

Following her service at Hendrick, Laura spent several years as a consultant and worked with a variety of non-profits to help them garner resources for their missions. She was asked to serve as Executive Director of the Grace Museum in 2012 and has been in that capacity for 12 years. Presently the museum is a partner in the Abilene Heritage Square project which The Grace will oversee and where the museum will add the Spark Science Center.

In public service, Laura has given her time as the chair of Leadership Abilene, the Downtown Development Committee, and Together 2011 which, among other things, brought the first Splash Pad to Abilene.  Additionally, she has chaired the HSU Board of Trustees and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce and served two terms on the Abilene City Council. As a respected leader in the Abilene community and at Hardin-Simmons University, Laura is known as a good listener, consensus builder, articulate communicator, and one whose leadership is marked by getting things done.

Her most valuable gift in life is her family – her husband Jay and daughters, Madison, London, and Annelise.

For her untiring and selfless service as a civic leader and extensive contributions to non-profit leadership in West Texas, Hardin-Simmons University proudly inducts Laura Moore into the HSU Hall of Leaders.