Laura Harris

Why this persona fits the audience

She produces a biweekly internal podcast for an 800-person education nonprofit, collecting stories from faculty and staff, editing the audio in a desktop app, and uploading it to a private channel. The process is already part of her regular communications calendar, with one assistant helping on guest outreach.

• Age: 38
• Location: Denver, CO, US
• Occupation: Communications Specialist
• Income: $74,000/year
• Education: MA in communications
• Company size: 800
• Years in role: 6

“Every person here has a story that can connect us, that can remind us why we do this work. My job is to help them find their voice and share it.”

Laura Harris has dedicated the last six years of her career to shaping internal narratives at a large education nonprofit based in Denver. Holding an MA in Communications, she found her niche in leveraging audio storytelling to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose among the organization's 800 employees. Her journey into podcasting wasn't a direct path; she initially managed broader internal communications, but recognized the untapped potential of audio to capture the nuances of faculty and staff experiences. This led her to champion the creation of a biweekly internal podcast, a project she now oversees with meticulous care. She views the podcast not just as a communication tool, but as a vital mechanism for building organizational culture and highlighting the impact of the nonprofit's work. Her personal life is grounded in her Denver condo, a space she's cultivated with care, reflecting her organized and thoughtful nature. She balances her demanding professional life with personal pursuits like hiking in the nearby Rockies and tending to her golden retriever, Finn. Financially, Laura is responsible, prioritizing savings for future goals like travel and home improvements over frivolous spending, a trait likely honed by her upbringing in a family that valued prudence. She's not driven by status but by the satisfaction of a job well done and the tangible impact her work has on her colleagues' sense of belonging and understanding. Her decision to invest in her current role stems from a deep-seated belief in the power of authentic storytelling to bridge divides and strengthen communities, even within the complex ecosystem of a large institution. She recently decided to invest more time in learning advanced audio editing techniques, recognizing the limitations of her current software and aiming to improve the production quality of the podcast.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Laura's typical weekday begins around 6:30 AM with a quick workout or walk with her dog. After a light breakfast, she commutes to the nonprofit's office, listening to podcasts. Her workday often starts with checking emails and reviewing Mark's progress on guest outreach for the next podcast episode. She might spend a few hours in interviews, either in person or via video call, focusing on drawing out compelling narratives. The afternoon is usually dedicated to audio editing, meticulously cleaning up tracks, adding intro/outro music, and ensuring smooth transitions. She also dedicates time to planning future episode topics and coordinating with department heads for content ideas. She aims to wrap up by 5:30 PM, often reviewing her calendar for the following day before heading home.

Lifestyle

Laura lives a structured yet fulfilling life in her Denver condo, which she purchased three years ago. Her routine often starts with a quick yoga session before heading to work. Weekends are a mix of catching up on personal projects, exploring local trails with her dog, a golden retriever named Finn, and attending community workshops or farmers' markets. She's mindful of her budget, preferring to save for travel and home improvements rather than frequent impulse buys. Socially, she enjoys intimate gatherings with close friends and occasional networking events related to her field.

Work life

Laura's role at the education nonprofit is central to her professional identity. She manages the biweekly internal podcast, a significant undertaking that involves coordinating with faculty and staff across various departments. Her workday is a blend of creative production and logistical management. She spends considerable time interviewing subjects, meticulously editing audio files using Audacity on her Mac, and ensuring timely uploads to the internal platform. She relies heavily on her assistant, Mark, for initial guest outreach and scheduling, freeing her up for the more technical and narrative aspects of production. The pressure is on to consistently deliver engaging content that fosters a sense of community within the large organization.

Relationships

Laura maintains strong connections with her parents, who live in a nearby suburb, and a close-knit group of friends from her university days. Her assistant, Mark, is a valuable work ally, and they have developed an efficient, respectful working dynamic. She also has a good rapport with many of the faculty and staff she interviews, often building genuine connections through the podcasting process.

How they decide

Laura is a methodical decision-maker. She tends to gather information from multiple sources, weigh pros and cons carefully, and often seeks input from trusted colleagues or her assistant before committing to a course of action, especially if it involves new tools or processes.

How they sound

Laura speaks with a clear, measured cadence. Her tone is generally warm and professional, avoiding overly casual slang but not sounding stiff. She uses precise language when discussing her work, particularly regarding audio quality and narrative structure. She tends to be articulate and thoughtful, often pausing briefly to formulate her thoughts. She avoids hyperbole and focuses on conveying information and stories accurately.