In 2019, the day after Laura Roussell retired from Black Hills Energy after 30 years, she registered to run for City Council of Ward 2. “I had a clear path to do something. I saw it as a chance to serve and give back to my community,” said Laura.
Roussell was born and raised in Dubuque, graduating from Senior High School and earning her BA and MBA from Clarke University. Her three siblings and their families still live in Dubuque as well. Serving the community runs in the family. Laura’s younger sister, Ann Lorenz, is the Community Outreach Director of the Lantern Center in Dubuque. Said Ann, “I’ve always been so proud of Laura. I admire her and all that she has done to make our community a better place. She is a beacon of joy and optimism.”
Laura credits her years of being a Girl Scout for instilling in her the joy of serving others. “That’s what Girl Scouts do – they serve their community,” said Roussell. “If you look at successful women in high places, many of them were Girl Scouts, such as CPOs, corporate leaders, and elected officials. In Girl Scouts, you learn how to be a leader.”
While being a City Council member is not a volunteer position, Roussell has a long history of serving. She helped write the Northeast Iowa School of Music’s business plan. “It was the capstone project for my MBA.” She served on the NISOM board for many years. She is past president of the Dubuque Kiwanis Club and was a member for many years.
Laura and her husband Jon are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she has served on the Missions Team, the Sessions Board (the leadership team), and still helps with the hunger outreach with the drive-through food giveaways that serve 100-200 families.
The Reverend Dr. Marsha Wilfong, retired pastor, has worked with Roussell both at Westminster and the board of Northeast Iowa School of Music. “Laura is gracious, committed, dependable, and a joy to work with,” said Wilfong.
One of her current boards is HACAP (Hawkeye Area Community Action Program) a local community action agency (formerly Operation New View). HACAP serves the community by “lifting people out of poverty, improving the lives of the vulnerable through HeadStart, heating assistance, food needs, housing, fans in summer, etc.” Said Roussell, who has served on that board for 30 years.
Roussell’s pride and joy is being the Founder and Executive Director of Dubuque Trees Forever. “When I worked at Black Hills, I could see the social, economic and environmental benefits of trees. I helped to administer the program and caught the passion of what trees do for the community and I wanted to do it in my own community. BH has a grant program and now instead of giving out the money, I’m asking for it and I know how to ask. It’s great fun!”
As a council member, Laura currently serves on the Dubuque Main Street and Greater Dubuque Development Corp boards. According to Roussell, “Those organizations are the nuts and bolts of the business community – those businesses that are here or want to come here.”
One of her favorite jobs as a board member of Dubuque Main Street is working at the token booth at the Farmers Market. “People from all over are so impressed with what Dubuque has to offer.”
In what little spare time she has, Jon and Laura enjoy Saturday night game night with friends, working in her garden, and walking their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (mother and son). For twenty years, Laura played violin in the Dubuque Symphony and now performs in church on occasion.
When asked if she any words of wisdom and encouragement for other retirees who are looking for ways to volunteer in the community, Laura said, “There will be a time in our lives when we can’t do all the things we’d like to do, so make the most of it while you can.”
This article was originally published in CHOICES For Fifty Plus, a Dubuque area magazine for people that are 50 and older. Single copies are available at Dubuque area newsstands or click here to read the digital version of the latest issue.
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