BIO

Laura grew up in the utopian town of Fairhope on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama Honors College with a degree in communications. Throughout her 20-year career, Laura's passion for writing has landed her in unique roles. In Nashville, she worked for one of the South’s largest PR firms, McNeely, Pigott & Fox, representing a variety of clients in the health care, education, manufacturing, tourism and banking sectors. As director of marketing for Visit Pensacola, Laura was the spokeswoman during the city's 450th anniversary and the BP oil spill, conducting interviews with CNN, The New York Times, The Weather Channel, USA Today and Wall Street Journal. As a writer in Alabama, she interviewed fashion designer Billy Reid, ESPN's Rece Davis and Musician of the Year Mac McAnally, while writing in-depth features on Helen Keller and other notable Alabamians. She is also the author of the hardback book, The Shoals, showcasing the Northwest Alabama community. As Orlando and Jacksonville editor for Where, a travel magazine in 75 cities worldwide, she managed 18 publications a year covering dining, attractions and local personalities from Disney Imagineers to celebrity chefs such as Guy Fieri, Rick Bayless and Art Smith. As a freelancer, she has contributed to Orlando magazine, Richmond magazine, Virginia Living, Our State and Scary Mommy as well as tourism destinations such as Richmond Lynchburg, Winston-Salem and Hilton Head Island.

2022-2024 COMMUNITY commitments