Laura Hoffner: From Naval Intelligence Officer to Executive Vice President at Concentric

Early Ambitions and Naval Intelligence Career

• 🎯 Laura Hoffner's lifelong ambition, set in seventh grade, was to become a Naval Intelligence Officer supporting SEAL teams.
• 🌍 Her decision to join the Navy was influenced by her grandfather's WWII service and a desire to travel, learn languages, and understand cultures in high-pressure environments.
• 🗣️ She specialized in languages (Chinese, Spanish) and understanding human behavior in crisis situations, including studying hostage negotiation at Wake Forest University.
• ✈️ After graduating, she attended Officer Candidate School and was accepted into naval intelligence, deploying to Afghanistan in support of special operations shortly after.

Global Operations and Transition to Civilian Life

• 🗺️ Hoffner served multiple tours in Afghanistan and had an impactful role at the Office of Naval Intelligence.
• 🌍 She later served with SEAL Team 7 and then worked in Stuttgart, Germany, traveling to and working in approximately 57 countries.
• 🏆 Her active duty career culminated in a role supporting SEAL Teams in Virginia Beach, ending in 2020, a billet she considered the pinnacle of her intelligence career.
• 🛡️ She continues to serve as a reservist in the Naval Reserves.

Career at Concentric

• 🚀 Hoffner transitioned to the civilian sector, joining Concentric where she was initially hired as an executive assistant.
• 📈 She quickly moved into a Chief of Staff role, a position she found similar to her intelligence work in its need to understand strategic intent and tactical execution.
• 💼 Most recently, she was promoted to Executive Vice President of Risk Solutions, expanding her responsibilities within the company.
• 🤝 She credits her success to the unbelievable mentors at Concentric and her bosses, Mike Lefever and Rodri Jones, for taking a chance on her.

Key Life Lessons

• 💡 Hoffner emphasizes the importance of setting sights high and not wavering from one's goals, even if they seem unconventional.
• 🧠 She learned to set her ego aside in the SEAL teams, a lesson that helped in her transition to the civilian sector.
• 🌟 She advises others to take chances, mirroring the opportunities given to them by employers.
• ❤️ Hoffner reflects on her 12 years of service with pride, knowing she made a difference and saved lives, finding deep satisfaction in her contributions.