General (Retired) Laura J. Richardson is a respected expert in global leadership, national security strategy, and international alliance-building. Throughout a distinguished 38-year career in the US Army, she led complex, multinational operations across five continents, advised heads of state on defense policy, and navigated high-stakes geopolitical crises with precision and diplomacy. As a former Four-Star General and Combatant Commander, she brings deep expertise in governance, global risk oversight, and strategic communications.

Leadership Profile

• Bridge Builder: Cultivates collaborative environments across sectors, agencies, and cultures to drive unified action in complex geopolitical landscapes

• Steady Under Pressure: Demonstrates mission-focused leadership in the face of uncertainty, grounded in ethical decision-making and operational clarity

• Mentorship Champion: Invests in the development of emerging leaders, modeling inclusive leadership and a commitment to purpose-driven service

• Strategic Council Advisor: Brings a disciplined, governance-focused perspective to boards and advisory councils, uniting leaders to shape global policy, strengthen institutions, and advance national security interests

Most recently, Laura served as the 32nd Commander of US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), where she oversaw US military strategy and partnerships across 31 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. There, she shaped a $1.4B regional strategy to advance democracy, counter transnational threats, and build military- to-military alliances. Her leadership was instrumental in strengthening regional governance, expanding foreign military sales, and enhancing humanitarian and disaster response capabilities.

Prior to SOUTHCOM, Laura was promoted to Four-Star General after commanding US Army North (Fifth Army), where she led emergency military support during the COVID-19 pandemic across more than 70 US hospitals and managed co-ordination for Operation Allies Welcome, ensuring the safe relocation of over 85,000 Afghan refugees. She also directed the Army’s response to wildfire and hurricane relief efforts.

Laura currently serves on several high-impact boards and advisory councils, including the Atlantic Council Board of Directors, the Advisory Board for the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Military and Political Power. She is Co-chair of the US Global Leadership Coalition’s National Security Advisory Council, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a Carnegie Mellon University Distinguished Executive in Residence.

Laura also served as the Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Forces Command, where she oversaw the training and readiness of 770,000 troops—the Army’s largest command. Her operational experience includes commanding an assault helicopter battalion in Iraq and serving as NATO’s Director of Strategic Communications in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. She has also held senior roles at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill as a congressional liaison, and at the White House as Military Aide to the Vice President.

A notable voice on strategic leadership and global affairs, Laura has addressed national audiences at the Aspen Security Forum, the Reagan National Defense Forum, and the McCain Institute’s Sedona Forum. She holds a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Metropolitan State University of Denver.