MinerAlert
MinerAlert
November 2025
By Alexandra Sanchez, ’17
Laura Urquiza Gump graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso in 1989, and although she didn’t know the path that awaited her, she knew she wanted a career filled with movement, purpose, and challenge.
“I never wanted to sit behind a desk. That I did know,” Gump recalled with a laugh. “Growing up with immigrant parents who worked physically demanding jobs, movement and hard work were in my DNA.”
Today, Gump is celebrated for being an accomplished leader whose journey began at UTEP's Hunt College of Business. Her 40-year career includes serving as the regional vice president at H-E-B and most recently as president of Kroger’s Houston and Louisiana Division, leading more than 11,000 employees. Although she recently retired, Gump emphasized that she isn’t done yet. She’s simply deciding what comes next.
UTEP Experience
Like many students, when Gump first arrived at UTEP, she wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to pursue in business and marketing. However, the campus career fair changed everything.
“I interviewed with everyone, partly for practice,” she admitted. “H-E-B was there, and I immediately loved their culture. I didn’t know much about grocery at the time, but I knew I wanted a job where I could be active, lead people and make an impact.”
She joined H-E-B straight out of college and quickly moved up, managing departments, learning store operations, and embracing projects that challenged her.
“I never had it easy,” she said. “I always got the toughest stores. I’d go home and cry sometimes because it was so hard — but those moments shaped me. Anybody can do easy.”
Lessons in Leadership
Gump’s story is also about resilience, humility and self-discovery. Through her journey, she embraced a leadership philosophy focused on people and authenticity.
“Leadership is a privilege,” she said. “You honor that privilege by being respectful, staying grounded and always being the best version of yourself.”
She also acknowledged something many women experience — the quiet fear of not being enough. “I had zero confidence when I started. I was motivated by fear of failing for years,” Gump said. “But growth happens when you get uncomfortable. Public speaking terrified me, and now I can talk to a CEO or a bagger with the same confidence.”
Her advice to women, especially Latinas aspiring to lead:
“Check the stories you tell yourself. Women can be our own worst critics. Don’t chase perfection. Just be the best version of you,” she said.
Insights Gained
Although she moved nine times across Texas for her career, UTEP shaped Gump’s early values — grit, determination, and the understanding that hard-working students can build extraordinary futures.
“I worked through college and paid for school myself. That’s part of UTEP’s culture. Students juggle a lot, but it makes you strong, disciplined, and resourceful,” she said.
That mentality helped Gump thrive in a demanding industry. One that has grown to welcome more women in executive roles.
“When I started, I was always the only woman — and young on top of that,” she reflected. “Now you see so many women leading in grocery. The industry has evolved, and women’s natural strengths, like coaching, connection and building community, shine in this business.”
Today, Laura’s journey continues to reflect the values that guided her from the start. Hard work, heart-driven leadership, and a commitment to serving others. From leading one of the largest grocery divisions, she carries the spirit of resilience and community that she gained from UTEP, proving that with having a vision and determination, Miners can build careers that succeed and uplift everyone around them.
A New Chapter
Her next professional chapter is still unfolding — but her rest is intentional, not uncertain. “I’ve worked my entire life,” she said. “Now I’m taking time to decide what’s next. I know I still want to lead, contribute, and make a difference.”
Her journey going from a UTEP student to a top executive shows Miner Nation that success isn’t always linear or predictable. It takes grit, movement, and courage.
“And most of all, believing you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to keep going.”