About
About Laura Hope Whitaker
Founder & Visionary Leader of ESP | Award-Winning Speaker | Author of The Joy Exchange
About Laura Hope Whitaker
Founder & Visionary Leader of ESP | Award-Winning Speaker | Author of The Joy Exchange
Laura Hope Whitaker is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader, speaker, and champion for joyful, ability-forward community building. As the CEO of ESP, Laura has spent nearly two decades redefining what it looks like to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families—experiences rooted not in limitation, but in dignity, joy, and belonging.
Her leadership has helped ESP grow from a single local program into a multi-community organization serving thousands of members and families across Georgia and beyond. But at the heart of Laura’s work is something deeply personal: a belief that every person has inherent worth, and that when communities are built with warmth, hospitality, and imagination, everyone thrives.
A Story Shaped by Calling
Laura’s journey with ESP began as a college volunteer. When ESP founder Martha Wyllie passed away unexpectedly, Laura stepped into leadership at just 19 years old—guided by conviction, resilience, and a deep love for the community she served.
What followed was not simply organizational growth, but cultural transformation. Under Laura’s leadership, ESP expanded programs, eliminated waitlists, launched innovative employment pathways like Java Joy, and pioneered joy-filled environments where people of all abilities are seen and celebrated.
About Laura Hope Whitaker
Speaking with Purpose
Laura is a sought-after speaker for organizations looking for more than inspiration alone. Her talks are grounded, honest, and deeply human, blending personal story with practical insight drawn from real leadership experience.
- Leadership & Resiliency
- Faith & Family
- Inspiration
- Entrepreneurship
- Non-Profit as a Business
- Overcoming Obstacles
Whether addressing executive teams, faith communities, entrepreneurs, or nonprofit leaders, Laura speaks with clarity and warmth – challenging audiences to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Author of The Joy Exchange
Laura’s book, The Joy Exchange, is a National Best Seller and explores a powerful truth she’s lived firsthand: joy multiplies when it’s shared. Through personal stories, leadership lessons, and moments from the ESP community, Laura invites readers to rethink success, service, and what it truly means to belong.
The book extends Laura’s message beyond the stage, offering readers a tangible way to engage with joy as a daily, transformative practice. Find it wherever great books are sold!
I knew Laura had an incredible story to share from her time leading Extra Special People (ESP), but I wasn’t expecting how powerfully she would engage the audience through her storytelling.
Laura didn’t just tell her story—she invited us into it. She gave us a firsthand look at how ESP serves multiple communities by celebrating the abilities of individuals with special needs.
Dana D.
KBA Super Women's Conference
Laura's heart for the work she does and the value ESP adds to the world was apparent. It moved all the attendees in a fundamental way. Her making the Dandelion Shift so relevant and relatable for everyday, helped me evaluate who I am in the organization and my unique contributions. Many of the attendees I spoke with after the event felt the same.
Chanel P.
ULINE
Learn More about Laura
This page is just the beginning.
To explore Laura’s full story, speaking resources, media features, and The Joy Exchange, visit her personal site.
