Laurel Claire Powers-Freeling (née Powers; born May 16, 1957, in Michigan, United States) is a British businesswoman also involved in music charities, education-related activities and public service.
She graduated with an AB first from the Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City and then pursued an MSc from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
[1] Powers-Freeling started her professional career at Price Waterhouse New York and Boston as a part-time management consultant while studying at the MIT Sloan School of Management, having worked for Clinique Laboratories Ltd (a division of Estee Lauder) and in administrative roles at Price Waterhouse before and during her undergraduate study.
Upon leaving MIT, she joined McKinsey & Co in Atlanta and London (1985–1989), working in some eleven countries during her tenure supporting financial services companies.
[9] She was Chairman of Piccola Accademia di Montisi, an Italian charity she co-founded to provide a global centre for students and emerging professional early keyboard musicians to study with top harpsichordists, providing access to exceptional instruments in the inspirational setting of the Tuscan countryside.