DBT40 Honoree: Laura Dugan Bogart

AGE:  34
Consumer Compliance Reporting Specialist, Office of Service member Affairs
Discover Financial Services (New Castle)

Why should I be a DBT 40?  I believe that the contributions that I have made to Discover Financial Services and my community make me an ideal candidate. I have an exemplary record as a long-standing leader, am dedicated to serving multiple nonprofit organizations in the community, strive to maintain well-being through unique wellness approaches, and shine as a woman, an advocate, a learner, a mother, a partner and a human being. I consider myself a role model for living a successful, well-rounded lifestyle and am living proof that a work-life balance can be achieved when you identify, share and create meaningful priorities, achieve and exceed them.

Professional accomplishments: I am responsible for the customer service strategy for our service member portfolio of more than 100,000 loans/accounts and help implement and maintain compliant federal and state military banking regulations. As one of a handful of members, instrumental in helping to create the processes needed to support a heavily regulated/environment, I have had rich, fulling professional opportunities at Discover. I’m a two-time winner of our Customer Service Excellence Achievement Award, Discover’s Excellence Award, as well as our Distinguished Performance Award. I will graduate from Wilmington University with my bachelor’s in business management in spring 2020. I have remained in the top 20% of my class, granting me the honor of being inducted into Wilmington University’s Chapter of Sigma Beta Delta, a National Honor Society, in January 2019.

Leadership: Outside of work, my leadership qualities have been demonstrated through the volunteer work I do with my son’s Cub Scout Pack; one of the first gender-inclusive packs in our district. I was honored as the recipient of the District Exceptional Unit Leader Recognition in May 2019. Most recently, I have taken on the additional responsibilities of a Camp Director with one of the district’s nationally accredited summer day camps.

Community service:  I am one of the founding members of Discover’s Women’s Business resource groups, helping to enhance the organization’s diversity and inclusion. I have given back to my community through my work with PAWS for People. I joined PAWS for People as a therapy team with my German Shepherd, Bane, in March 2017. He and I enjoy bi-weekly visits with the residents and staff at a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, along with a variety of community and de-stress events. I was also one of the training team members to receive the 2018 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award. Shortly after joining PAWS, I saw an opportunity to partner PAWS with Discover, providing employees with a unique stress-reduction wellness program using pet therapy. The program was piloted in June 2017. Since then, this self-sustaining program has resulted in a partnership between the two organizations and a sponsorship of more than $20,000 to PAWS in the span of two years! Since the program’s inception, there have been more than 2,300 employee visits, with 93% of employees reporting a decrease in their stress levels after visiting a PAWS De-Stress Event.

What’s your favorite book? Michelle Obama’s autobiography, “Becoming.”

What did you want to be when you grew up? I discovered my love for drawing/painting in middle school. It was then decided that I wanted to be an artist. And while I did not go on to become an artist, I still dabble in drawing, painting and photography.

Laura and her 3-year-old German Shepherd,  Bane.

Who’s your favorite superhero? I am a huge fan of the entire Marvel Universe, but if I have to pick just one; Captain Marvel with Captain America a very close second.

Go-to song: “Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte or “Boogie Shoes” by K.C. and the Sunshine Band

Fun fact: For the past two years, I have been practicing aerial yoga/fitness. Think Cirque de Soleil, but nowhere near that caliber or skill level! I practice and perform on the silk hammock, lyra hoop and bungee.

Family and Education: My husband and best friend, Steve, and I have been a team for more than 16 years and will celebrate 11 years of marriage on Oct. 18. We live in New Castle, with our 9- year-old son Jaxon and our 3-year-old German Shepherd (Bane).  I originally attended Delaware College of Art and Design in 2004 as a photography major and art history minor. Life led me on a different path and I found myself back in school at Wilmington University over a decade later. I will graduate in spring of 2020 with my bachelor’s in business management and plan to continue on with my college career and pursue a master’s degree in business administration.