In Memory of Laura Peterson
On February 8, 2022, we lost my friend Laura Peterson to cancer.
When I was first dreaming up the idea of Hollywood CPR, a colleague convinced me that I had to meet this woman named Laura Peterson. I sat down with Laura at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Main Street in Santa Monica, and I told her my idea which she thought was brilliant. Laura knew nothing of the entertainment industry but had a strong background in building nonprofit organizations which made her a perfect addition to the original board of Hollywood CPR. From that day forward, we worked together tirelessly for nearly 25 years.
Laura was an unstoppable force. Anyone who met Laura knew that they’d met a unique and tenacious woman.
We accomplished so many incredible things together. She was the yin to my yang, though I’m sure she would say that she was the yang to my yin. There was something about our energy; it was like a beam of light that guided us through all the challenges we faced – and we faced so many. I was so lucky to have Laura as my partner at Hollywood CPR.
Her legacy and accomplishments include so much more than Hollywood CPR. She was the Chief Planning Officer for Challengers Boys & Girls Club of Metro LA where she raised money to build them a new facility, wrote grants for them, and helped expand their program. Laura was also a specialist in the field of childcare, developing childcare centers and work/family-related programs and services for major studios and corporations across Southern California.
I’m lucky to have a dedicated staff that has been mobilized to step into Laura’s shoes since her passing. We’ve upped post-production instructor Laura Guichard to Interim Chair of the Film Production department at West Los Angeles College where we train our students in the entertainment trades and crafts. I will continue to lead Hollywood CPR as Founder and Chair Emeritus, supported by Associate Executive Director Laura Herb and Coordinator Joanna Velez.
It is bittersweet that Laura won’t be present for the unveiling of our new 15,000 sq. ft. training facility at West Los Angeles College in just a few weeks’ time. We worked tirelessly together to get the facility built and this achievement will serve as part of her legacy. We believe it will have a great positive impact on our students and their training.
It’s so hard to imagine she’s really gone. Her heart and soul will always remain in the mission of Hollywood CPR.
She is the voice in my head, and always, my best friend, Laura Peterson.
— Kevin Considine, Hollywood CPR Founder & Chair Emeritus
If you’d like to honor Laura’s legacy by supporting Hollywood CPR, we’ve created a fund in her name. All donations will go directly toward supporting graduating students of Hollywood CPR as they embark on their new careers.