About Laurie A. Watkins
Catalyst for change, business leader, author, contributor on major news networks, podcasts and panels, wellness and mental health advocate.
Laurie A. Watkins helps high-achieving leaders, founders, and changemakers grow with clarity, integrity, and personal sustainability.
A global keynote speaker, communications and policy strategist, and resilience coach, Laurie has spent more than two decades moving seamlessly between briefing rooms, boardrooms, and global stages—advising leaders, strengthening organizations, and helping turn bold ideas into measurable results. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and storytelling.
Laurie brings a rare perspective shaped by experience in government, policy strategy, and executive advisory work. She works with leaders and high performers to build inner-systems: mindset, emotional regulation, and energy management needed to recover quickly from setbacks and make decisions with confidence, even in chaotic situations.
You won’t find hustle culture or burnout worship here. Instead, Laurie brings a grounded, strategic approach to leadership, one that acknowledges the real cost of ambition and helps leaders channel it into meaningful impact.
Why Laurie?
Laurie previously served as a presidential appointee at the United States Department of Defense during the administration of Barack Obama. She has also shared her expertise as a guest lecturer at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Laurie holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University and a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. She has also completed executive certificate programs at Georgetown University in Government Digital Transformation and at the University of San Francisco in Public Leadership and Legislative Strategy.
Beyond her advisory and speaking work, Laurie is also the voice behind The Nerve!, a platform exploring the intersection of leadership, global affairs, and personal power. Through commentary, conversations, and original analysis, she helps audiences make sense of the forces shaping our world, and the courage required to lead within them.