Professional Portfolio

This portfolio offers a deeper look at Lauren’s journey, her experience, leadership, research, and accomplishments, showcasing how she thrives in navigating complex challenges, driving meaningful initiatives, and strengthening communication at every level.

Here, you’ll find career highlights, publications, certifications, and achievements that reflect Lauren’s passion for clear, strategic, and impactful communication. Whether leading crisis response, shaping policy, or mentoring future leaders, she brings a thoughtful, strategic, and results-driven approach to every role.

Professional Philosophy & Leadership Approach

Professional Ideology: Approach challenges with curiosity, integrity, and adaptability, always seeking to learn, refine, and grow. Value critical thinking, transparency, and open dialogue, recognizing that true leadership is built on trust, continuous learning, and a willingness to evolve.

Leadership Style: Inspire with clarity and purpose, foster collaboration and innovation, and empower others to lead with confidence and authenticity. Encourage strategic thinking, resilience, and a shared vision that drives meaningful impact.

Leadership Voice: Guardian / Strategist – balancing visionary thinking with practical execution, ensuring alignment between strategy, people, and purpose.

Assessments & Insights:

  • Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI): Collaborating 95%, Accommodating 94%, Compromising 41%, Avoiding 12%, Competing 10%.

  • Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): INFJ – Insightful Visionary.

  • Enneagram Type: The Achiever (3) – ambitious, driven, and committed to excellence.

Inspired by Brené Brown’s "Daring Greatly" and the belief that leadership is about courage, connection, and a commitment to continuous growth.

Skills & Expertise

Experienced in strategic communication, public affairs, and leadership development, with a strong background in stakeholder engagement, crisis communication, and organizational strategy. Skilled in integrated marketing communications (IMC), branding, digital marketing, and public relations, with expertise in crafting impactful messaging for diverse audiences. Adept at policy analysis, social science research, and audience segmentation, leveraging data-driven insights to inform effective communication strategies. Proficient in risk and crisis communication, applying behavioral science and public engagement principles to enhance trust and decision-making.

Lauren has a proven ability to train and develop professionals through public speaking, executive training, and higher education instruction, equipping leaders with the tools to communicate effectively and drive organizational success. She is experienced in media relations, content strategy, and digital engagement, ensuring alignment between organizational objectives and audience needs. Additionally, she is skilled in program and event management, successfully planning and executing large-scale initiatives, leadership trainings, and international stakeholder collaborations.

Government & Strategic Communication Leadership

Social Scientist, Risk Communication

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) | November 2021 – Present

  • Lead national risk communication initiatives for dam and levee safety programs, developing research-based strategies to enhance public understanding of flood risks.

  • Direct social science research efforts, evaluating stakeholder perceptions, engagement strategies, and behavioral responses to inform evidence-based communication approaches.

  • Facilitate international meetings with the Great Lakes Adaptive Management Committee (GLAM) under the International Joint Commission (IJC), strengthening cross-border collaboration on environmental risk communication and future policy development.

  • Develop high-impact communication materials that inform executive leadership and drive decision-making.

  • Lead nationwide workforce development trainings and workshops, enhancing expertise in communication, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.

  • Serve as an instructor for USACE Learning Center (ULC) PROSPECT and Risk Management Center (RMC) courses, equipping personnel with advanced tools for effective risk communication and collaborative best practices.

  • Advise senior leadership on risk communication strategy, stakeholder relations, and public engagement, ensuring alignment between organizational goals and national policy.

  • Represent the organization in high-profile stakeholder meetings, policy discussions, and inter-agency collaborations, driving strategic communication efforts at national and international levels.

New Horizons - Social Science Research (Detail Assignment)

USACE, Institute for Water Resources | October 2022 – April 2023

  • Spearheaded a risk communication innovation project through the New Horizons program, bridging theory and practice with a data-driven approach to improving risk communication effectiveness.

  • Developed the AMCC framework, a behavioral science-based model that enhances risk communication through four key intervention points: Approach, Motivation, Collaboration, and Communication.

  • The framework, informed by four core data variables—Access, Motivation, Trust, and Communication—translates insights from literature, emergency management, and behavioral science into actionable strategies.

Public Affairs Specialist, Region VI

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security | August 2020 – November 2021

  • Designed and implemented external affairs training and professional development programs, enhancing communication effectiveness across the division.

  • Led strategic external communications for emergency response efforts across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, ensuring timely and accurate public messaging.

  • Served as an External Affairs Officer (EAO) for the Dallas County Fair Park Community Vaccination Center (CVC), coordinating with local, state, private, and federal partners to support pandemic response efforts (Feb–May 2021).

  • Conducted research, developed communication strategies, and authored key external and internal messaging for FEMA divisions, including senior leadership presentations, key messages, PSA scripts, technical press releases, internal articles, and disaster messaging.

  • Supported crisis communication and public affairs efforts during multiple disaster responses, including Tropical Storms Laura and Marco, Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, Texas Severe Winter Storms, and COVID-19 vaccination initiatives.

  • Additional Initiatives: Served as a mentor for FEMA Disability Mentoring (June 2021) and completed Management Concepts’ Leadership and Communication Skills for Project Leaders course to enhance leadership effectiveness.

Executive Leadership in Communication & Public Affairs

Director of Communications

John Paul II High School | November 2019 – August 2020

  • Worked with JPII leadership to develop and implement strategic marketing campaigns, enhancing stakeholder engagement and brand visibility.

  • Led marketing communication strategy, focusing on digital marketing and audience engagement.

  • Managed digital marketing channels (website, blogs, emails, and social media) to maximize outreach and ensure brand consistency.

  • Developed and maintained website content, tracking performance through SEO and Google Analytics.

  • Published digital performance dashboards, measuring ROI, KPIs, and engagement metrics.

  • Ensured brand consistency by collaborating with campus staff, athletics, fine arts, clubs, and parent groups on communication materials.

  • Managed marketing timelines and workflows, ensuring deadlines and campaign objectives were met.

  • Created and edited JPII communication materials, including newsletters, speeches, email campaigns, fact sheets, and website content.

  • Oversaw creative strategy for marketing and fundraising campaigns, directing copywriting, design, media purchasing, and project management.

Assistant Director of Communications

Highland Park ISD | August 2017 – November 2019

  • Managed all external and internal communications, including local and national media relations, newsletters, and social media strategy, ensuring consistent messaging and stakeholder engagement.

  • Developed and launched a new district website and six campus websites, improving accessibility, branding, and user experience, while leading the redesign of district logos and a refreshed district seal.

  • Directed marketing and public communications for $361.4 million in facility and campus construction updates, ensuring transparency and community awareness.

  • Oversaw vendor contracts and outsourcing agreements, ensuring cost efficiency and service quality for district-wide communication efforts.

  • Represented the district at key stakeholder events, strengthening community relationships and public trust.

  • Planned and executed district-wide events, such as community parades, finance forums, and groundbreaking/dedication ceremonies, enhancing public engagement.

  • Contributed to the development and revision of the HPISD Emergency Operations Plan, strengthening crisis preparedness and communication protocols.

Director of Communications & Executive Director of the Education Foundation

Lindale ISD | August 2014 – August 2017

  • Led media relations, marketing, and branding efforts for the district and education foundation, ensuring consistent messaging and stakeholder engagement.

  • Designed and launched a new district website, saving $10,000 while improving functionality, accessibility, and brand consistency.

  • Managed digital and print communications, including press releases, newsletters, social media, and promotional content, increasing visibility and outreach.

  • Executed marketing and advertising campaigns to maximize facility usage and revenue growth.

  • Directed financial planning, budgeting, and grant distributions, ensuring fiscal responsibility and program support.

  • Organized and managed fundraising events, securing financial backing for district and foundation initiatives.

  • Supervised governance and compliance for the foundation, overseeing insurance, legal policies, memberships, and financial audits.

Higher Education Instruction

Publications & Research

Lauren’s research focuses on risk communication, leadership, and education, with an emphasis on how organizations and leaders communicate in high-stakes environments. She explores crisis response, stakeholder engagement, and transformational leadership, particularly in virtual and remote settings.

She is also interested in education research, studying teaching methodologies, leadership development in academic settings, and effective communication strategies for learning environments.

Lauren’s work is driven by a passion for improving communication effectiveness, strengthening leadership practices, and enhancing education through research-based strategies.

Lecturer, Business Communication

University of Texas at Dallas | August 2020 – Present

  • BCOM 1300 & 3300: Business Communication – Teach professional communication principles, with a focus on business writing, audience engagement, and digital communication strategies. Students gain experience in business emails, proposals, job search materials, and team collaboration.

  • BCOM 4300: Managing Communications in Business – Instruct on communication as a management and leadership tool, emphasizing internal and external stakeholder communication, conflict resolution, and ethics in leadership communication.

Adjunct Professor, Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC)

University of Mississippi | January 2023 – Present

  • IMC 580: Leadership Communication in Modern Organizations – Developed and instruct this graduate-level course, designed to equip emerging leaders with essential strategic communication skills, leadership theories, and digital collaboration tools.

  • IMC 559: Advanced IMC Campaigns – Guide students through integrated marketing communication (IMC) theories and strategies, culminating in a comprehensive campaign development capstone project.

Adjunct Professor, Nonprofit Administration

LSU Shreveport | January 2025 – Present

  • NPA 734: Nonprofit Governance and Decision-Making – Analyze the roles of boards, executive leadership, staff, and volunteers in nonprofit governance structures. Teach policy development, board management, and governance best practices to prepare students for real-world leadership in organizations.

Awards & Recognitions

    • Recognized by the International Joint Commission (IJC) and U.S. Commissioners Gerald H. Acker, Robert Gioia, and Lance Yohe for outstanding facilitation and expertise in risk communication. Commended for building trust among U.S. and Canadian stakeholders and guiding binational policy discussions.

  • 2021

    • Recognized “for exceptional contributions” at the Dallas Fair Park Community Vaccination Center (CVC) during COVID-19 emergency response efforts.

  • University of Texas at Dallas, School of Economic, Political & Policy Sciences | May 2022

    • Recognized for outstanding contributions to public service and leadership.

  • American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) 2022-23

    • Selected for excellence in public administration research and leadership.

  • 2019

    • Awarded for excellence in communications, strategic leadership, and stakeholder engagement within the district.

  • 2013

    • Honored for exemplary collaboration in marketing research and campaign execution.

Performance Testimonial - Practitioner 

“I wanted to drop you a note and thank you for all of your hard work. Both REDACT and REDACT have pulled me aside to comment on how well you’re doing at Location. REDACT said it seems like you’ve been working for FEMA for years. This is high praise from two people who are difficult to impress. I must also thank you for stepping up and into a role with little notice. You have risen to the challenge and set a new bar for your peers. I am personally grateful for your excellent communication. It is not often that I get to give people good news or receive compliments for my staff so again, THANK YOU."

Performance Testimonial - Academic  

"With experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, her ideas, research intentions, and overall expertise is invaluable to academia. Lauren excels at whatever she puts her mind to and has proven herself to be highly skilled, ambitious, and capable in many areas."

  • FEMA & Dallas County Vaccination Center

  • USACE Dam Visit

  • USACE Levee Site Visit

  • Oath of Office

  • ASPA Fellow

  • FEMA & Dallas County Vaccination Center

  • Lindale ISD Education Foundation Grant Award

  • USACE Training