As the Executive Director of the T. Denny Sanford Harmony Institute, Laura Hanish advances children’s relationships and well-being through research and its translation into effective solutions which are disseminated for use by the adults who support and care for children.

Hanish is an experienced leader in the field of developmental science, with a body of work spanning over 25 years. She has significant expertise in research focused on children’s relationships and well-being and in-depth knowledge of the translation of research into effective interventions to support children. Her translation efforts have resulted in the Sanford Harmony Programs, which have been disseminated to 400,000 educators in 57,000 schools across the US and internationally.

Hanish is a Professor in the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics and an Affiliate in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.