Laura Gales

Laura graduated from Flagler College in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Sociology and continued her education at Nova Southeastern University where she received a doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. After completing her education, Laura worked in a wide range of counseling settings.

In 2012, Laura married her high school sweetheart, Tyler Gales, and they started a family in 2015. Laura and Tyler were both raised in Southwest Florida and always dreamed of being able to move to Sanibel before their oldest son started kindergarten so he could attend The Sanibel School. They were able to make their dream a reality in 2021.

Since moving to Sanibel, Laura has become deeply involved in the community while pausing her professional career to focus on raising her family. From August 2022 to May 2024, she served on the Board of Directors at The Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI). After Hurricane Ian decimated its campus, CECI lost its executive director and furloughed its educational staff. Undeterred, Laura, along with CECI’s board of directors, led the recovery and rebuild efforts.

Additionally, Laura is serving her second year on the Community Housing & Resources (CHR) fundraising committee and serves as a regular volunteer at The Sanibel School. Laura was also recently selected to participate in the Charitable Foundation of the Islands’ Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program, a program offered to those Island residents identified as emerging leaders.

With a deep passion for environmental education and ensuring that Sanibel remains a sanctuary island for generations to come, Laura is honored to join SCCF’s Board of Trustees.