Her Humble Beginnings…

Laura Lea (DeMott) Newcomb grew up in a Gering, Nebraska and Torrington, Wyoming before earning a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming in 1988. She completed her first year as a classroom teacher in Lubbock, Texas, before relocating to Denver, Colorado. On August 11, 1990, Laura married the love of her life, Donald Newcomb. In 2002, the Newcomb family relocated to Arizona, where she served as a classroom teacher and school administrator before branching out as a brilliant, bighearted, and bold business owner.

Her Compassion for Children…

She earned a Master of Science in Administration and a Cross Categorical (Special Education) certification at the University of Phoenix. As a Special Education Director coordinating child placement in early 2012, she identified an overwhelming need for an autism-only program. As a new entrepreneur, Newcomb contracted special education and compliance services through her business, EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC SERVICES. She developed the first autism-only program in Arizona after noticing an unsupervised lower functioning student stemming underneath a lunchroom table.

Her Leading Edge in Education…

The AUTISM ACADEMY FOR EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT successfully educates children with compassion, dignity, and respect, emphasizing their Kid’s First motto. Laura co-founded the Autism Academy in 2012 in partnership with her husband, the-late Donald Newcomb. She defined a specialized curriculum and secured an accreditation at the start of the 2013 school year. They opened 1 location, with 24 students, and four teachers. After 25 years of marriage, Don passed away on November 12, 2015. However, they planted seeds that sprouted into a legacy that Laura continues to nourish. The Autism Academy currently occupies four campuses (Tempe, Gilbert, Phoenix, and Tucson), manages almost 300 employees, and services nearly 700 students. In 2020, Newcomb expanded her entrepreneurial accouterment and academic reach by opening a traditional charter school in rural Maricopa. A PLUS CHARTER SCHOOLS is at 93 percent capacity with 280 students and 30 staffers aiming high with a motto of Project-Based Learning. In 2021, Laura Newcomb became the founder and co-owner of EMPOWERED ADULT SERVICES. The adult day program emphasizes serving the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities aiming to work on life skills and personal interests. The Chandler, Arizona campus offers six providers and currently enrolls over 20 members.

Her Faith, Family, and Friends…

Laura, her three children, and a team of academic experts continue carrying the Newcomb torch. Their eldest son, Graham, is the marketing director, Kalona is the therapy services director, and Kalina is currently a trainer, mentor and teacher. Under Laura’s leadership, her team builds academic bridges, meets social needs, and advances best educational practices. Her assiduous executive team and staff solve systemic problems and create successful strategies that have been duplicated by educators statewide. Laura is advancing academic excellence by putting kids first and facilitating quality programming. A deliberate sense of selflessness and service lingers in the Newcomb legacy. Her passions include helping others navigate obstacles as a life coach, building future leaders as a professional mentor, and enjoying the proud pleasure of being a grandmother. Inspired by her parent’s passion for giving back and community empowerment, Laura Newcomb proves that humble beginnings mixed with rigid work spiral upward to epic success. Newcomb says her source of success, strength, and steadfastness results from relying on her undying faith in God.

Her Health and Real Estate…

Laura’s leadership team understands the added value of transforming challenges into assets. She successfully launched a real estate investment business facilitated through her family trust. Her properties include commercial, residential, and vacation rentals. Her notary company, NATIONAL NOTARY SOLUTIONS, places a strong emphasis on providing professional services to real estate and title companies nationwide. Her entrepreneurial savviness enables her to earn financial freedom through multiple revenue streams while fulfilling her vision to enrich the lives of others. Laura seeks all-natural alternative healing solutions as a Brand Partner for YOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILS. Striving for community health and wellness, her HOT BODY FITNESS, LLC secured a HOTWORX franchise. As a result, she’s able to offer families a 24-hour fitness studio revolutionizing the industry with the ultimate hot exercise experience infused with infrared workout saunas.

Her Community Collaborations, Generosity, and Growth…

Laura Newcomb shares a partnership with Art One Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ. Students create matted and framed artwork displays, generating sales that provide proceeds and grants for autism education. Carlisle Companies, a globally diversified niche designer and manufacturer, provides students with an annual project-based art display to raise autism awareness worldwide. Also, Special Olympics International, Autism Society of America, Bell Bank Park in Mesa, Arizona, and various entities maintain fulfilling partnerships with her businesses. Newcomb’s businesses are celebrated in magazine features, newspaper archives, and broadcast reports. H.E.R. Vision Today offers an eagle-eye focus on Health, Education, Real Estate, and Community Empowerment.