DALLAS, TX, [October 8] — Today, Annie’s Place, a Dallas-area nonprofit providing quality childcare for parents and guardians seeking critical and life-saving healthcare, proudly announces its new Chief Executive Officer, Laura Rhoden. Laura was appointed as the 10-year-old organization’s second-ever CEO, following the retirement of its founder and former CEO, Natalie Boyle earlier this summer.
For the past six years, Laura has served as the organization's Chief Operating Officer, where she played a pivotal role in implementing the innovative partnership between Annie’s Place and Parkland. This partnership supports Parkland patients with drop-in childcare so they can keep their medical appointments and treatment and healthcare workers by offering childcare that enables them to minimize absenteeism in the workplace.
“The opportunity to lead Annie’s Place as we embark on our next chapter is incredibly meaningful,” said Laura Rhoden. “Our mission has never been clearer or more vital. It is a promise to the generations yet to come—a solemn vow that no parent will ever have to choose between their own well-being and the care of their child. I am deeply honored to carry the legacy and vision of our founder and the hard work of our team forward.”Under her leadership, the organization has seen significant innovation and development.
“Over the past decade, Annie’s Place has experienced incredible growth, serving 1,514 families going through healthcare treatments with free childcare, allowing them to attend more than 13,308 medical appointments," said Anne Leary, Board Chair. “Laura has consistently demonstrated strategic insight, operational expertise, and an unwavering commitment to our mission, and the board is proud to name her as Chief Executive Officer.”
In addition to her role at Annie’s Place, Laura Rhoden brings a wealth of experience from her extensive background in leadership and operations. She has more than 15 years of experience in management and her previous roles include executive level positions in operations and human resources where she led numerous successful initiatives spanning from employee engagement and business operations. Laura’s dedication to social impact is evident in her numerous accolades. Her leadership style is characterized by a deep empathy for those she serves and a relentless drive to innovate and improve organizational efficiency.