Meet Laura Newman, Founder of Strong Culture
Laura Newman is the founder of Strong Culture Co. LLC, a Wisconsin-based organization dedicated to transforming workplaces through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, leadership coaching, and integrated wellness programs.
She has delivered more than 20 MHFA trainings, certifying over 250 professionals across state agencies, healthcare, higher education, and legal professions. She co-created the MHFA Employer Guide, facilitated Communities of Practice, and led statewide Make It OK stigma-reduction trainings.
Laura’s professional path also includes work as an adjunct psychology instructor, a mental health coach, a personal trainer, and a program & policy analyst in behavioral health. These roles, woven together, shape her unique approach to workplace culture: bridging mental health literacy, leadership growth, and physical wellness to help people and organizations thrive.
Our Mission: Building Cultures Where People Thrive
At Strong Culture Co., our mission is simple yet powerful:
To equip leaders and employees with the skills, confidence, and resilience to create workplaces where people feel safe, supported, and inspired to grow.
We believe mental health is more than a training requirement — it is the foundation of culture. By empowering leaders to invest in themselves and their teams, organizations unlock stronger morale, higher retention, and an environment where care and performance work hand in hand.
Strengths That Shape My Work
Laura’s work is rooted in her CliftonStrengths themes of Harmony, Positivity, and Restorative. These guide her ability to bring people together, uncover solutions, and inspire hope — even in challenging environments.
She blends practical expertise with deep empathy, helping leaders recognize blind spots, navigate burnout, and model resilience for their teams. Her combination of professional training and lived experience allows her to connect authentically with audiences ranging from HR leaders and corporate executives to athletic coaches, educators, and frontline employees.
Strong culture begins with mental health as a core value.
Strong cultures don’t happen by accident. They’re created when leaders model resilience and employees feel supported, safe, and valued.