Laura L ZielkeLaura L. Zielke is a profound voice in the world of biblical studies, a dedicated educator, and a passionate advocate for racial justice. As the oldest daughter of a pastor, Laura's upbringing was deeply embedded in the Christian faith, shaping her lfelong commitment to learning and teaching God's Word. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religion from California Baptist College and her Master of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating summa cum laude with a focus on Biblical Studies and Archaeology.In the early 1990s, Laura founded the Complementary Education Program at her seminary, a pioneering initiative to provide theological education to student spouses who were almost exclusively female. This program was expanded and eventually offered across all six Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries under the name "W.I.S.D.O.M."As the former Director of Online Learning and Innovation at the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, Laura Zielke developed a passion for supporting nonprofit executives, leading her to become a certified life coach in 2022 and committing herself to help empower nonprofit leaders.Laura founded A2Z Coaching in 2023, where she provides holistic coaching designed to help leaders excel in their roles, particularly in overcoming imposter syndrome, managing stress, and maintaining personal well-being to effectively lead their organizations. Her coaching practice is enriched by her commitment to social justice, as she continually educates herself on ways to effectively use her platform to advocate for equity and actively fight systemic racism.Laura's personal life is rich with experiences that reflect her values and passions. She met her husband John online, and together they have navigated the joys and challenges of marriage, moving across the country twice, and parenting their amazing child, who works both at a local library, and also as a freelance video editor. Laura's debut book, "Valiant Women of the Bible, Volume 1: From Eve to Esther," draws from her deep well of biblical knowledge and her personal experiences to bring to light the stories of biblical women. Her work is not just about reclaiming these stories, but about empowering modern readers with the lessons of resilience, faith, and empowerment these stories encapsulate.As she prepares to continue her exploration of women's roles in biblical history with a second volume focusing on the New Testament, Laura remains guided by her faith in Jesus, who has been the compass of her life since childhood. Her journey has been marked by both trials and triumphs, and through it all, her resolve has been fortified by the constant presence and unwavering support of God.Laura is committed to bringing the narratives of these powerful women to life, proving that understanding our past can deeply enrich our present and inspire our future. With her work, she aims not only to educate but also to connect deeply with her readers-encouraging them to see the powerful impact of faith and perseverance in their own lives. Read More Read Less
