Laura L. Balles Witt ’90

    Laura died Jan. 30, 2023, from the rupture of an unsuspected intracranial aneurysm.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., Laura grew up in Pittsford, N.Y., where she graduated from Pittsford Mendon High School as valedictorian. After Princeton, Laura joined Oliver Wyman & Co. in New York and jumped at the opportunity to join the Frankfurt, Germany, office, where she met Thomas Witt.

Separated for two years while Laura earned an MBA from the Wharton Business School, Laura and Thomas married at the Princeton University Chapel in 1997. Settling in Maryland, Laura joined ABS Capital Partners, where she remained for more than 20 years.

After skiing Alta for 20 years, Laura and Thomas moved to Utah with their children. Laura teamed up with partners at the Drawdown Fund, investing in businesses that address climate change.

She loved to discuss art, music, history, politics, and economics. In a difficult situation, she would guide everyone forward constructively. Her calm and balanced personality was a source of great strength. In winter, Laura skied Alta every week with her family and skated with her women’s Nordic ski group. In summer, she hiked, biked, and explored Utah.

Laura is survived by her husband and their two children, Caroline and Sam; brother Mark Balles; and sister Jennifer Baumann.