About Laura

Laura Cirillo Edwards is a storyteller and podcast host who believes the best conversations happen over coffee. She’s been chasing stories since she was 12, when she first had a newspaper route — and by 16, she was working for her hometown paper, the Potomac News & Manassas Journal Messenger. After managing the circulation department, she realized print news was fading and set out on a new path—finishing her bachelor’s degree in Spanish at George Mason University, with plans to teach English as a second language.

That plan took an unexpected turn when she landed at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Legislative Affairs. What started as a “happy accident” turned into a 15-year career in public service. Laura spent a decade with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where she bridged policy and communications between disaster response and resilience. When FEMA Resilience was first stood up in 2018, she was part of the team shaping its strategy from the ground up. In 2024, she was tapped to lead the nation’s cybersecurity public awareness program at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), guiding campaigns that reached millions of Americans.

Now, after stepping away from federal service, Laura continues her passion for connecting people and ideas through Careers & Coffee Talk. The podcast invites listeners into real, honest conversations about the pivots, challenges, and defining moments that shape us.

For Laura, it’s about inspiring others, building community, and proving that it’s never too late to create our next chapter.