Laura Mc Knight
About Laura Mc Knight
Laura Mc Knight serves as the Partner and Managing Director of Practice Development at Creative Planning Inc. in Leawood, Kansas, and has a background in law and philanthropy, including co-founding Employee Vitals and serving as CEO of Crown Philanthropic Solutions.
Work at Creative Planning
Laura Mc Knight has held the position of Partner and Managing Director of Practice Development at Creative Planning Inc. since 2020. In this role, she is responsible for leading initiatives that enhance practice development within the organization. Creative Planning is based in Leawood, Kansas, and is known for its comprehensive financial planning services. Mc Knight's leadership contributes to the firm's strategic growth and client engagement efforts.
Education and Expertise
Laura Mc Knight earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Trinity University, where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She further advanced her education by obtaining a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Kansas School of Law, where she was recognized with the Order of the Coif. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in philanthropy, law, and practice development.
Background
Before joining Creative Planning, Laura Mc Knight served as CEO of Crown Philanthropic Solutions, where she managed a SaaS platform overseeing nearly $8 billion in assets. Her previous experience includes a significant tenure at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation | Greater Horizons, where she worked for 11 years, initially as Senior Vice President and later as CEO. Additionally, she practiced law as an attorney at Spencer Fane LLP for six years.
Achievements
Laura Mc Knight co-founded Employee Vitals, a workplace engagement tool that was later acquired by Selflessly, a platform focused on social responsibility. She has also partnered with Embolden to create content aimed at enhancing stakeholder engagement for community foundations. Furthermore, she collaborated with Afloat to develop technology for local gifting on-demand. Mc Knight is also an author of two books that explore emerging trends in philanthropy.