Laurie Shimizu

Laurie Shimizu has been involved with FIRST since 2005 when her son requested help with the team management of his FIRST Robotics Competition team. As a lead mentor with FRC Team 1816, “The Green Machine,” she coached students involved with the Team’s outreach, presentations, seminars, and workshops. She was awarded the Woodie Flowers Finalist Award at the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional in Minneapolis in 2017.

Since 2007, she has been engaged with developing and running FIRST Robotics Competition events in Minnesota and the Dakotas. She has volunteered as a Championship Volunteer Coordinator since 2010, primarily as a pit Volunteer Coordinator, and then assisting with assignments prior to the Championship events. She was named Chief Volunteer Coordinator for the FIRST Robotics Competition in 2016; she is currently serving as a Global Volunteer Coordinator for the FRC Program. She was honored with the 2020 FIRST Championship Volunteer of the Year award for the Detroit Championship event. #JoyOfLife

In June 2026, Laurie retired as a FIRST Senior Mentor in Minnesota. During her 12-year tenure in that role, she was instrumental in the dramatic growth of the FRC program and competitions in Minnesota and the Dakotas. She is currently serving as Senior Volunteer Coordinator for FRC Northland, which emcompasses events in Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Laurie was part of the original NEMO organization (Non-Engineering Mentors Organization), founded by Kathie Kentfield and Jennie Beatty to offer resources and vital support to volunteers stepping into various FIRST team volunteer and mentorship roles. What was true then remains true now: Asking the FIRST community for help and assistance is always a go-to when faced with even the most difficult of issues. Laurie has yet to find another STEM program that has as much positive impact on students as FIRST.