CyberWire Daily Laura Hoffner: Setting your sights high. [Intelligence] [Career Notes]
Jan 11, 2026
Laura Hoffner, Executive Vice President at Concentric and former U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer, shares her inspiring journey from setting her sights on working with SEALs in seventh grade to making a significant impact in intelligence. She discusses the value of mentorship and the unique culture of SEAL teams, emphasizing the lessons learned about ego and risk. Reflecting on her deployments and the pride in her service, Laura encourages listeners to pursue their goals relentlessly, showcasing how determination can lead to remarkable achievements.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early, Focused Commitment To Naval Intelligence
- Laura Hoffner pursued naval intelligence from seventh grade and immediately joined intelligence school after college to support special operations.
- She deployed to Afghanistan five times and served tours with Office of Naval Intelligence and SEAL Team 7, visiting about 57 countries.
Transition From Active Duty To Concentric
- After finishing an ideal billet supporting SEAL teams in 2020, Laura transitioned from active duty to the Naval Reserves and civilian work.
- She joined Concentric immediately, starting as an executive assistant then chief of staff before moving to executive vice president.
Intelligence Skills Transfer To Leadership
- Intelligence officer skills map directly to executive roles: relationship-building, strategic intent, and tactical execution.
- Laura leveraged those abilities to move rapidly from chief of staff to executive vice president at Concentric.