Laura Meadows spent a decade leading at the UGA Institute of Government, but a recent pledge will ensure her impact extends far beyond those years.
The lifelong Georgian is a devoted public servant who spent her career in roles geared to economic development and building a stronger Georgia. She has been a continuous monthly donor to the institute, but in 2024, she made a substantial commitment. Meadows’ planned gift will establish a fund to provide discretionary support for financial management training in the Institute of Government.
“I wanted to make a gift that could have a real influence on the future of this program,” said Meadows. “There are three key reasons I give. First, I believe strongly in the mission of Public Service and Outreach and specifically in the role of the institute to promote excellence in government. Second, I wanted to give back to an organization that has given me so much, and finally, I have a deep love and commitment to the people of this institute, and I wanted to support and honor the value they bring to this state.”
The institute offers a variety of financial training programs for city, county, state, school and library system finance and office personnel. Its signature financial management training program, the Public Finance Leadership Academy, includes next-level training in financial management and leadership for government leaders.
“Under Laura’s outstanding leadership, the institute demonstrated its commitment to Georgia through a robust offering of programs, services and training,” said Rob Gordon, UGA Institute of Government director. “This gift continues her legacy of service to the state in an extremely meaningful way.”
Meadows retired from the University of Georgia in January of 2021, having led the Institute of Government as director since 2011.
She first came to UGA in 2007 as associate vice president for economic development. Meadows then joined the Carl Vinson Institute of Government in 2009 as associate director of its training division, which provides professional and leadership development opportunities to thousands of local and state government officials and staff each year.
Prior to her arrival at UGA, she served as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, executive director of the OneGeorgia Authority, assistant secretary of state for the State of Georgia and state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. “The work of the institute is critical to a strong Georgia, and I’m honored to have been a part of it,” she said. “I hope this gift plays a small part in extending the impact of the University of Georgia and the Institute of Government to support our state.”