Stewart received her BS in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University and her MFA in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. After several years in the commercial interior design field, she founded Laura McDonald Enterprises and PLiNTH & CHiNTZ, the online resource that prepares a new generation of designers to enter the workforce. For almost 10 years, Stewart also managed METROCON Expo & Conference, the annual two-day event in Dallas focusing on the built environment. She has served on the ASID National Board, currently sits on three interior design department advisory councils, and was the recipient of the 2009 NCIDQ National Louis S. Tregre Award.