Health Coach Guest Services

LAURA WINTERS JONES

928-***-**** // *****.*******.*****@*****.*** // LinkedIn

WELLNESS & OPERATIONS LEADER

Strategic, people-first leader with 15+ years of experience managing operations, building high-performing teams, and shaping inclusive cultures. I began my career in hospitality and food service, managing restaurant operations, an experience that grounds my leadership style in hands-on execution, attention to detail, and client service excellence. I later scaled operations and HR strategy as Chief of Staff for the nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park. Now pursuing certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, I bring a strong foundation in wellness, team empowerment, and systems thinking, uniquely equipped to lead spa operations that center on care, quality, and connection.

EXPERTISE

Strategic Planning & Execution • Culture Building & Inclusive Leadership • Internal Communication Strategy • Employee Engagement & Retention • Event & Experience Coordination • Systems Thinking & Continuous Improvement • Team Leadership & Supervision • Governance & Stakeholder Relations • Budget Oversight & Process Optimization • Policy Implementation & Compliance

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Grand Canyon Conservancy

Chief of Staff // June 2019 - December 2024

●Cultivated strategic alignment and deepened cross-functional collaboration as thought partner to the CEO, resulting in 29.5% revenue growth and scalable impact.

●Designed inclusive systems for engagement, onboarding, professional development, and performance management, ensuring people felt supported, seen, and equipped to lead.

●Partnered with CEO and leadership team to align people strategy with mission and operational goals, translating complex initiatives into measurable, human-centered outcomes.

●Transformed organizational culture by embedding equity, wellness, and belonging into HR strategy, people operations, and internal communications, resulting in a 17% increase in employee retention.

●Navigated high-impact executive and personnel transitions with a balance of strategic foresight and compassionate leadership, mitigating risk and preserving trust.

●Designed and facilitated high-visibility donor and partner events, strengthening collaboration with tribal communities and public sector leaders.

●Built and facilitated cross-functional teams focused on DEIB, employee experience, internal communications, and environmental sustainability.

●Developed scalable infrastructure to support organizational growth, aligning people, systems, and culture across departments.

●Represented the CEO in high-level stakeholder and donor communications, serving as a primary board liaison and trusted proxy for executive decision-making.

Director of Strategic Initiatives // April 2016 - December 2024

●Drove operational capacity-building through cross-departmental collaboration and strong internal communications, aligning teams around sustainable strategic growth.

●Oversaw and grew administrative and events teams, mentoring emerging leaders and building an internal pipeline that reflected the organization’s evolving values and direction.

●Facilitated network-wide collaboration and cultural alignment, embedding organizational values across internal operations and strategic planning processes.

Corporate Secretary // October 2012 - December 2024

● Optimized governance operations, ensuring legal compliance and increasing board efficiency.

●Revamped board recruitment and onboarding, strengthening diversity and leadership effectiveness across a 20-member board.

●Facilitated strategic board and committee meetings and onboarding programs, enhancing engagement and governance effectiveness.

●Produced high-impact board materials and briefings that elevated engagement and decision-making across committees and full board.

●Led digital transformation, improving board accessibility, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Executive Assistant // August 2009 - April 2016

●Enhanced executive operations through precise communication and effective project management.

●Redesigned admin workflows to boost productivity and reduce time spent on routine processes.

●Managed high-profile events and projects, ensuring seamless execution and positive stakeholder experiences.

Grand Canyon National Lodges

Executive Assistant, Food & Beverage // October 1997 - August 2009

●Drove optimization of departmental operations and resource allocation by improving collaboration.

●Pioneered new administrative systems, significantly improving departmental productivity.

●Coordinated large-scale events, ensuring flawless execution and guest satisfaction.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Business Studies Eastern Illinois University

Leadership for Nonprofit Board Officers Certification BoardSource

American Express Leadership Academy Center for Creative Leadership

Certified Health Coach, American Council on Exercise (ACE) 2018–Present

Certified Coach, FASTer Way to Fat Loss 2021–Present

Member Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2018-Present

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Institute for Integrative Nutrition In Progress – 2025

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