Laura Wingate

As the Chief Education, Support, and Advocacy Officer at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Laura Wingate leads the organization’s efforts to empower and support the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) community through education, advocacy, and patient support initiatives. In this national leadership role, she oversees a broad portfolio that includes patient and professional education, state and federal advocacy programs, and resources designed to improve quality of life for those affected by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that every person living with IBD has access to trusted information, compassionate support, and a strong voice in public policy.

Laura’s career began at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she implemented quality improvement initiatives that enhanced the patient experience, including the redesign of outpatient care models. She later worked with pediatric and geriatric centers across the United States, expanding access to live entertainment and therapeutic programming through the Clown Care and Vaudeville Caravan initiatives — programs that brought creativity and joy to hospital settings nationwide.

Joining the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation allowed Laura to combine her professional expertise with her passion for advancing care and equity for people living with chronic illness. She is a graduate of the University of Rochester’s School of Arts & Sciences and holds certificates in Leadership and Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Strategy from Harvard Business School Online. In addition, she earned a certificate in Reducing Racial Disparity in Health Care from Harvard Online, underscoring her dedication to improving access and inclusion across the healthcare system.

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Health and Society, University of Rochester, New York