We’re thrilled to announce that Laura Branch has joined Upward Intuition as our new Executive Director! Laura brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for community building, making her the perfect fit to lead our organization into the future.
A Michigan native, Laura’s early years were filled with snowmobiling, sledding, and ice skating. After three decades of braving the cold, she traded her boots for sandals and paddleboards, relocating from Chicago to sunny Pensacola. Laura holds a degree from Trinity Christian College (go Trolls!) and began her career as a file clerk at an international law firm. Her professional journey evolved through roles as a paralegal, Business Development Coordinator, and most recently, in commercial real estate with Beck Partners.
In 2025, Laura joined Upward Intuition, bringing her passion for youth development, community engagement, and creating opportunities for the next generation. She joins a dedicated board with a mission to inspire and empower young leaders through professional skate demos, competitions, clinics, and camps, all while nurturing a new wave of skate advocates and change-makers.
Laura lives in Pensacola with her husband, Rusty, and their four kids—Emma (20), Elizabeth (17), Allen (12), and Kuyper (2). Inspired by her son Allen’s fearless skateboarding journey that began at age 7, Laura may not have mastered a kickflip yet, but she’s a passionate champion of skateboarding and the Pensacola community.
Join us in welcoming Laura to the Upward Intuition family! We can’t wait to see all the incredible things we’ll accomplish together.