Laura McGinnis

Laura McGinnis has dedicated her career in public relations to uplifting the voices of underrepresented peoples. As the senior manager of press and public relations at PFLAG, she continues that work, ensuring the stories of LGBTQ+ people and allies are included in the media conversation.

Laura got her start with the Caraway Group in Washington, D.C. and counts among her mentors Flo McAfee, Yolanda Caraway, and Dana Shelley, people who have made their mark in American history. Through their guidance, she learned skills that would help her navigate messaging through sticky public policy initiatives, open doors of collaboration across cultural, language and racial barriers, and produce world-class events.

In 2009, she began working directly for the LGBTQ+ community. Alongside Cathy Renna, Laura served as a spokesperson and strategist to end the military practice of discrimination known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and to bring marriage equality to our nation’s capital. She then worked as communications director for The Trevor Project alongside a team of incredible LGBTQ+ activists like Avery Belyeu, David McFarland, and Trevor co-founder Celeste Lecesne.

Laura holds an MPA and a Graduate Certificate of Nonprofit Management and teaches Nonprofit and Government Strategic Communications in the University of Oregon’s School of Planning, Public Policy and Management. A native of Scranton, Pa., she is both a Duck and a Blue Hen, as well as a spouse, parent, baker, runner and hiker.