As part of our 10th Birthday Series, we continue sharing the stories of the people who have helped shape Simms & Associates from the very beginning. One interview every week. 52 conversations that reflect how the company has grown — and the people who have grown with it.
For Episode 3, we speak with Laura Gasiunas, Director of the Simms Community Impact Foundation, whose journey with Simms & Associates began right at the start.
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Watch the full interview with Laura Gasiunas
“When I started, the company had just been formed”
Laura joined Simms & Associates at the very beginning, when the company was just taking shape. What drew her in was both the excitement of building something new and the opportunity to work closely with Amanda.
“It was the beginning,” she recalls. “I enjoyed working with my friend Amanda, and it was exciting to be part of her new creation.”
From those early days, Laura remembers Simms as a fun place to work — a feeling that, for her, has never changed.
“The shape has changed,” she explains, “but not the feeling.”
What was once a small office in Madrid has grown into a global company, intentionally connected through regular calls, shared ways of working, and annual in-person meetups.
Learning to communicate across cultures
One of the experiences that shaped Laura most came early on in her time at Simms & Associates. Starting out as a consultant, she worked closely with customers across Europe after moving from the US to Spain.
Rather than pointing to a single defining moment, Laura describes this period as a continuous learning experience — one that challenged her to adapt, communicate clearly, and understand different cultural perspectives.
“Interacting with those various cultures taught me how to communicate better,” she says. “It helped me professionally and personally.”
Collaboration from day one
When asked what truly defines how people work together at Simms & Associates, Laura immediately points to collaboration. It’s something she believes is intentionally fostered from the very start.
New consultants are typically assigned a mentor, and teams are supported through dedicated channels, regular calls, and shared spaces designed to encourage connection and learning.
“It’s a collaborative approach that we really try to build into the way we work.”
Growing in unexpected directions
Reflecting on nearly a decade at Simms & Associates, Laura admits that the scale of her own growth wasn’t something she expected when she first joined.
“I didn’t expect to grow in so many different directions,” she says.
Over the years, her role has evolved continuously — to the point where she jokes that she has “done almost all of the jobs at this company.” That constant change, she explains, has taught her how to take on new challenges, learn quickly, and trust herself along the way.
What hasn’t changed
Despite the company’s growth, Laura believes certain things have remained firmly in place. Chief among them is the importance of culture and people.
“The happiness of our people is intentionally prioritised,” she says — something she notes is always top of mind in leadership discussions.
It’s also one of the main reasons she has stayed with the company for so long.
“The people, the opportunities, and the culture,” she explains. “But mostly, it’s the people.”
What excites her about what’s next
When Laura thinks about the future of Simms & Associates, she’s excited by both what’s already in motion and what’s still to come. She’s currently working with Amanda on establishing a non-profit connected to the business — a new chapter she describes as a genuine adventure.
At the same time, she continues to work closely with teams across the company, helping develop systems and supporting Simms & Associates as it grows into a larger, more mature organisation.
“It’s been fun to see how everyone’s developing along the way.”
Passing the spotlight
At the end of the conversation, Laura shines a light on the next person in our interview series: Jesus Moreno. She describes him as kind-hearted, always willing to help, and someone who brings a calm, positive energy to the team.
Next week, our 10th Birthday Series continues with Jesus, as the story — and the celebration — carries on.
One story every week. One year celebrating the people behind Simms & Associates.