Laura Richards, a certified Director of Operations, is the founder of Scaleup Consulting Group where she works on a fractional basis with organizational leaders to provide clarity, direction, and a plan to achieve their vision. In this capacity, Laura serves the Executive Director of the Annapolis Film Festival, providing overall leadership and management of the business, financial, operations, and development functions of AFF and the Annapolis Film Society (AFS). Working in close coordination with Festival Directors Patti White, and Lee Anderson, and the AFF Board of Directors, Laura works to build key alliances in the business and art communities, share responsibility for fundraising, and provides leadership and vision to AFF staff and Board while ensuring that the organization’s financial resources are used prudently and effectively. 

A 25-year resident of Annapolis, Laura has been an involved member of the community, volunteering her time as a Annapolis Rotarian, SOFO (South Forest Drive Association) Board member, previously serving on the AFF Board of Directors, Board member for the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, Key School PA Past President and Co-Chair of the Annapolis Book Festival, EYC Foundation, and Spa Creek Conservancy’s PaddleFest Program Manager, as well sitting on the Franchise Advisory Council for her restaurant concept for ten years.