Laura Phillips Edgecombe

传：Responsible for facilitating the activation of Downtown public spaces for the benefit of all Jaxsons. With a degree from UF, Laura's career in community development, advocacy and large-scale event production spans over a decade. As a creative and versatile leader, her success is directly attributable to her ability to conceptualize the “big picture.” She brings a wide range of professional and community experience, and takes pride in delivering the intended results to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. Specifically, her demonstrated professional history includes: Cultivating relationships with the senior leadership of Jacksonville’s business, civic and philanthropic communities; Collaborating with clients and other stakeholders to create successful programs, events and projects; Effectively communicating with all levels of client management and their customers, guests and beneficiaries; Civic and philanthropic engagement; and Successfully managing projects of all sizes and budgets, including development, planning, marketing, production and execution, post-event analysis and post-planning. The Jacksonville business community is a very important focus for Laura, and she serves as a JAX Chamber Downtown Council Board Member and as the organization’s current President and former Speaker Programming & Engagement Liaison. She is in Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2024, a JAX Chamber Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellow Class V (2021), a member of the Jacksonville Women’s Network, an Urban Land Institute UrbanPlan Facilitator and a University of North Florida Taylor Institute of Leadership Mentor. Laura is also an actively engaged member of Northeast Florida Builders Association, Urban Land Institute and Gator Bowl Sports. A third generation Jaxson, the community overall is an equally important priority. Laura currently donates her time and expertise to local organizations such as Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park, Historic Stanton, Painting of the PawPrints, United Way of Northeast Florida, The Florida Theatre (Board of Directors), The American Cancer Society, UF Health, READ USA, Inc., Pink Ribbon Jax, The Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Ritz Chambers Players, Downtown Vision, Inc., Riverfront Parks Now, Jacksonville Venture Competition, Epping Forest Yacht Club (Board of Governors) and her son's school parent association. She chooses these organizations specifically as their successes are pivotal to equitable quality of life opportunities for all populations. She has an equally community-active husband and a sixteen-year-old son, both her biggest cheerleaders and foundation of support.