Laird Doman
Laird Doman represents the third generation of his family to dedicate their lives to bettering the lives of children, developing our understanding of neurodevelopment and building NACD. Laird’s father, Bob Doman, is the founder and director of NACD. Laird’s grandfather, Dr. Robert J. Doman M.D, was one of the very first physiatrists—a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as a pioneer and innovator in the field of brain injury and human development. In the early 1980’s, Dr. Doman stepped down from serving as the head of two hospital rehabilitation departments in the Philadelphia area and his position as Medical Director and co-founder at the Institutes of Human Potential to join his son Bob’s team at NACD in the western US. Laird’s aunt Ellen has been a key member of NACD’s professional team, serving as Director of Education for the last several decades. Laird’s brother Alex also worked with NACD as a past executive and helped with the development of The Listening Program and Brain Builder. Alex is currently the president of Advanced Brain Technologies.
Laird’s NACD experience began virtually at birth, having his own ongoing NACD program from infancy, throughout high school and into college. A key factor in Laird’s development was assisting with his big half-brother Michael’s program and daily care. Michael was born with very severe brain injury that was so extensive neurologists felt there wasn’t sufficient healthy brain matter to sustain life. Michael was not expected to live, having had around 80% of his brain destroyed. Thanks to extensive work using the NACD program and a lot of help and support from his champion, best friend and little brother Laird, he ended up learning to walk, talk, tell jokes and love life. All this despite having to work for eight years to learn how to walk while fighting severe seizures on and off throughout his life, enduring numerous brain surgeries and a variety of health problems. Far from being a burden to Laird, Michael was his big brother who needed his help and from whom Laird derived great joy. Tragically Michael passed in 2013 at the age of 32 from a sudden infection that was totally unrelated to his neurological problems. Michael was instrumental in teaching Laird what was possible and the value, honor and privilege of being permitted to help someone have a better life.
Laird’s education, beyond a life of immersion in NACD, has included studying business at Weber State University and International Business at the European School of Paris in France. In 2013, at the age of 25, Laird was enlisted by his father Bob to use his life experiences and education to help lead the development of and perpetuation of the work of NACD in his role as Chief Operations Officer. Laird’s role at NACD is vital to our mission to help as many individual children as we can, but also to change perceptions and have a positive impact on humanity.
To this end, part of Laird’s role is to develop strategies, manage finances and logistics, oversee the administrative staff, as well as the development of Simply Smarter, foster innovation and to keep NACD at the cutting edge of technology online and through social media.
Laird is uniquely suited for his role at NACD and will be largely responsible for the future of the organization and the families and children we serve.
On August 9, 2016 Laird and his lovely wife Sadie brought in another of the next generation of Doman’s, little Arielle, who is rapidly providing a whole new level to Laird’s education, respect and appreciation for parents and the responsibilities that come with bringing a new life into the world.
