2017 Mid-Shore Woman of Distinction, Laura P. Heikes
Laura P. Heikes is Senior Vice President Government and Community Relations Officer for Shore United Bank, member of the Shore Bancshares community of companies. She began her career with the bank in 1986 and over the course of 30 years, Laura has been dedicated to supporting the needs of her customers and serving as a community partner. Laura has recently been named to the Talbot County Public School Education Foundation Advisory Board. She received recognition for her professional and personal dedication when she was voted “Talbot County’s Business Women of the year in 2014” by the Talbot County Chamber and also voted “Talbot County’s Most Beautiful Person In 2015 for her volunteerism and community service. Laura is a 2015 graduate of Shore Leadership where she continues to serve on the program committee.
Laura’s personal mission statement reads, “RESPECT AND LOVE THROUGH GENEROSITY”.
She presently serves as chair of the Talbot County Department of Social Services Board, treasurer of the Talbot County ACE Mentor Program, a director for the Mid-Shore Character Counts! Board, and sits on the Talbot Extension Advisory Council as well as chairs the Talbot County Junior Achievement Advisory Board. She is an active member of the Talbot Bankers Relay for Life Team which has raised well over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society; Soroptimist International of Talbot County, and the Chesapeake Women’s Network. She has been a Character Counts! Coach. She also volunteers with the Talbot County Fair Board, the Talbot Hunger Coalition, and Talbot County Chamber of Commerce Partners in Education Committee.
Laura is a resident of Talbot County where she and her husband, Ed live on their family farm in St. Michaels with their daughter Kate. Her son Jed and his wife Erin, have blessed the family with a new granddaughter, Peyton Skye.