Culture | Sep. 2024
CHILD ADVOCATE
By Morgan Hogerty
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA PONCE
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
HAIR & MAKEUP LEANNA ERNEST
Kelly Laszlo wearing Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Neiman Marcus Northbrook
Before settling in Winnetka, KELLY LASZLO dedicated her career to education and taught in Chicago. This experience honed her leadership and mentoring skills and instilled a commitment to community service and bettering young lives. This year, she is helping to plan the North Shore Board of the Northwestern Settlement’s November 9 gala supporting the beloved House In The Wood camp in Delavan, Wisconsin. The camp offers children from Chicago’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods a chance to experience life-changing outdoor adventures. Campers can participate in hiking, canoeing, and environmental education while building confidence, fostering teamwork, and developing a love of nature. Laszlo’s philanthropic efforts extend to The Woman’s Board of the Community House Winnetka, supporting a variety of local programs, including co-chairing the 2025 Home Tour. Additionally, she is a member of Gift of Adoption, an organization that helps provide financial assistance to hopeful adoptive families. Laszlo balances all these commitments with raising her two young daughters, proving the adage “if you want something done, ask a busy person.”
ON HER NIGHTSTAND
“Currently I’m reading Wish You Happy Forever: What China’s Orphans Taught Me About Moving Mountains by Jenny Bowen. It’s a beautiful memoir that chronicles her efforts to improve the lives of orphaned children in China through her organization, Half the Sky Foundation, now renamed OneSky. The book offers an inspiring look at how dedication and compassion can lead to significant social change. As an adoptive parent myself, I found her story inspiring and well written.”
IN HER EARBUDS
“I’m a concert junkie, and music is constantly playing in our home. Right now, I’m loving Teddy Swims, MUNA, and The I recently started the podcast Time Crisis with Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig. It’s a fun mix of cultural commentary and cool music picks. So far, my favorite episodes feature Bob Weir and Rashida Jones. It’s a laid-back, witty, and entertaining listen, even if you don’t know the band.”
ON HER MOBILE
“When I have time to browse, I enjoy following home decor and fashion. Only on The Avenue is one of my favorite sites. Their tablescapes are always fun to skim through for inspiration, and they have some cute, curated clothing options. I also find M M Interior Design’s Instagram page (@m_m_interior_design) to be amazing. These two sisters have an eye for mixing old with new, and I love their vision.”
