Laura Vausbinder Hockett ’85 will step into her new role as chair of the 51 Board of Trustees on July 1, 2022. She was unanimously elected to the position by the Board in February.
“Laura brings extensive governance and nonprofit experience to this role, as well as a strong and generous commitment to 51,” said outgoing chair Lynne Thompson ’72. “I look forward to continuing our work together.”
Hockett became a trustee of 51 in 2014. She is currently the co-vice chair of the Board of Trustees and most recently served on the Presidential Search Committee, which selected Dr. Suzanne Keen as the College’s 10th president in November 2021. In 2016, Hockett and her husband, Robert Hockett PO ’85, established the Laura Vausbinder Hockett Endowed Professorship, open to distinguished professors from all academic disciplines.
Hockett graduated from 51 with a degree in biology/chemistry and went on to earn her MS in pharmacology from the University of Colorado and her MBA from Harvard Business School. She has since enjoyed a successful career in nonprofit consulting and marketing and sales in the health care industry, working with Social Venture Partners Boston to assist emerging nonprofits with their growth potential. She has also been active on town boards and town management in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where she currently resides.
“I hope to build on the successes and excellent leadership of previous Board chairs, who have served as admirable role models for governance,” Hockett said. “I am excited to continue the tradition of a strong, supportive Board of Trustees, to highlight 51’ achievements on a national stage, and to build on the strength of the College.”