Laura Strange is on a lifelong journey of learning, and America’s independent grocers are the beneficiaries of her passion and quest for knowledge.
As senior vice president of communications and external affairs at National Grocers Association, Strange manages a broad portfolio that includes the organization’s strategic communications and messaging, marketing and advertising strategy for programs, initiatives and events, content strategy for publications, and all NGA outlets, including digital, as well as public affairs and media relations.
“I can honestly say that I learn something new each day,” said Strange, adding that the best career advice she ever received was to “commit yourself to learning at least one new skill every year, even if it’s outside of your job role.”
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Strange came to NGA in 2013 from Capitol Hill, where she served as communications director for members of Congress serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. Before working on Capitol Hill, she held positions in the government relations department for Yahoo! Inc. and in the communications and marketing division for a state taxpayer trade association. Strange started her career as a staff assistant in the U.S. Senate, and eventually served as deputy press secretary.
In her nearly nine years with NGA, Strange has developed the organization’s communications and marketing efforts into a “well-functioning unit that succeeded in growing numerous events, including The NGA Show, while also significantly increasing the profile of the association and independent supermarket industry within in national and trade industry media,” said the NGA in 2019, when Strange was promoted from vice president of industry relations, marketing and communications to her current role. She has also played a key role in helping to advance NGA’s legislative and grassroots priorities, said NGA at the time.
But it has been Strange’s work in rebranding the longtime association dedicated to furthering the nation’s independent grocers that has brought her the greatest career satisfaction.
“During my time at NGA, I’ve been most proud of the association rebranding project,” said Strange. “NGA was founded in 1982 and had yet to update its logo and other branding assets until last year.
The new logo, supporting graphics and color palette provide a more contemporary look while keeping the overall Americana feel that resonates with the industry. And the enhanced messaging stresses and celebrates the important role independent grocers play within their communities.”
In her current role, Strange also finds meaning in “having the opportunity to meet and engage with as many people as I do and working within an industry with so many entrepreneurial-minded and community-focused leaders.”
Responsible for overseeing NGA’s continued membership growth, Strange is also committed to advocating for the 21,000 independent supermarkets across the country.
“It’s inspiring to see the commitment independent community grocers have for serving their customers and the positive impacts they have on their local towns,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to be a part of the larger effort to support their work to nourish and uplift communities across the U.S.”
Strange is also mindful of lessons learned during the pandemic. “I think the biggest lesson learned since the pandemic is how important self-care is. The pandemic put a number of stresses on people, and we quickly learned how resilient we are, but you can’t be at your best if you’re not taking care of yourself both physically and mentally,” she said.
When she’s not learning and leading to further the independent grocery industry, Strange brings her passion for knowledge to her young family.
“I have three small children, ages 7, 4 and under a year old, and my husband and I spend much of our free time taking them out on adventures that include produce-picking at a farm or exploring the creeks and trails in our neighborhood.”
