Everyday Encounters: A LinkedIn executive finds peace, purpose in Tiburon

Tiburon resident Laura Parkinson enjoys the weather and views as she takes a break from her busy job in tech on April 29 near McKegney Green. (Francisco Martinez / The Ark)

Laura Parkinson is taking a break from her busy work and home schedule as she sits on a bench on the banks below McKegney Green April 29.

As LinkedIn’s head of brand experience, Parkinson had decided to shut off her laptop after an intense workday to walk and meditate — “very uncharacteristic of me,” she says. She says she’s lucky her employer supports discretionary time off, but it’s a busy time of year, and that makes the work-life balance a little tougher to find.

“The sounds, the smells of the ocean, just the visuals of the blue water … it’s not lost on me,” Parkinson says as she takes in the view. “I feel so fortunate to be able to step away from the computer to this, you know?”

Tiburon reminds Parkinson of her hometown of Hallettsville, Texas, about 120 miles east of San Antonio. She says the town, settled by Czech and German immigrants, features traditional small-town characteristics with everyone knowing everyone, plus rolling hills, cattle and oil drilling.

DONATE to support local journalism, or SUBSCRIBE NOW for home delivery and access to the digital replica.

Comment on this article on Nextdoor.