In her role at POLIS, Laura clearly and creatively communicates new research and innovative ideas to help drive change towards a sustainable and secure future. She has significant experience in the areas of watershed security, water sustainability, wildfire resilience, watershed governance, co-governance, and environmental law and policy reform. She also has a nuanced understanding of research impact and how to develop evidence-based impact narratives.
Laura is an experienced writer, editor, knowledge translator and mobilizer, event producer and moderator, and website administrator and content developer. She leads POLIS’ communications planning, report releases, and media relations.
Laura listens and builds relationships with the variety of people, organizations, and audiences she works with. This includes her team at POLIS, as well as partner NGOs, media, representatives at all levels of government (Indigenous, local, provincial, and federal), academics, practitioners, and funding organizations.
For over a decade, Laura has produced and hosted the respected Creating a Blue Dialogue webinar series and POLIS’ annual World Water Day event. In these roles, she has brought together thousands of expert water practitioners, thinkers, and emerging water leaders to engage with innovative ideas on water policy and governance. Laura has supervised and mentored dozens of students and young professionals in support staff roles, helping to train the next generation of water leaders. She serves as an advisor to various NGOs and academic organizations, where she offers strategic communications support.
She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph, where she studied wildlife biology and music. She is an alumna of the Banff Science Communications Program and has professional training from the International Environmental Communication Association, Research Impact Canada, and Editors Canada.
