20 Under 40 | LARA WAITS
Lara is the go-to team member at Prairie Band Casino & Resort where she is committed to the growth of those she works with.
She is a coach for Topeka United’s Mosaic program. She is the interim president of the Haskell Foundation board of directors and a member of the National Native American Human Resources Association.
She is an appointed member of the Topeka Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management, currently serving as the DEI committee chair.
She is also a member of the 2023 Leadership Greater Topeka Class.
What do you love most about your work?
The people — those I have known for a long time and the new people I meet. Every person is like a book. I love to listen to their story, whether it be an old story or a new one.
What is your leadership style?
My success is measured by the success and growth of those I help.
As a leader, I am inspired by people’s future and what it could be. I like to help paint a vivid picture of what can happen with just one step forward. This mindset blends into my personal life because I love to listen to others to see how I can help.
What do you collect?
I’d say I collect beautiful and unique earrings, but my husband would say I collect Starbucks cups.
