 Lawton graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Concordia University in 1995.After graduating, she joined Investor First Financial in Vancouver, BC where she started her business career in private equity sales in the areas of syndicated software, film, television, real estate and tax shelter offerings.In 1997, Lawton founded her own private equity boutique investment firm, Winfield Venture Group Ltd, now known as Mindset Venture Group Ltd.

Lawton completed a Master of Arts degree in Applied Sciences at Simon Fraser University in 2006.