Laurie Duffy Hurst

About Laurie Duffy Hurst

Laurie is a seasoned, forward-thinking communications leader with 20 years of big brand and public company experience. She currently leads Executive Communications at Ally Financial, the nation\'s largest digital bank and a leading auto lender. She partners with the C-Suite and other leaders to highlight the company\'s focused strategy and Do It Right positioning in the marketplace. Laurie leads a team advises on thought leadership, content strategy and creation, narrative building, speechwriting and overall external communications strategy.Previously the head of external communications at PRA Health Sciences, now part of ICON, she focused on developing impactful communications strategies that lead to business-building results, employee satisfaction and community engagement. Laurie has significant experience in external affairs, including executive thought leadership, media relations, social / digital strategy and execution, community relations and event planning, and has spearheaded company-wide internal communications planning and execution. Laurie led the company\'s global communications response to COVID-19, communications strategy and execution for the company’s DE & I and sustainability programming, and the M&A communications supporting ICON\'s acquisition of PRA Health Sciences. She also developed the company\'s first formal CSR structure for PRA Cares, the employee-driven volunteer platform and corporate giving strategy.Laurie also spent time in the public relations agency business handling communications campaigns for big consumer brands within many consumer categories including financial services, sports media, durable goods, retail and CPGs. She was one of the agency\'s top media relations professionals.With a background in corporate communications and sports sponsorship, Laurie believes that being a part of a passionate, high-energy and innovative team that works toward combined goals is critical to both organizational and individual success. She leads by example and with a collaborative spirit, functioning as a coach and mentor to direct reports and teammates rather than a traditional task-oriented \"manager.\" To Laurie, leadership is about team and individual growth, upward trajectory, securing results and overall career satisfaction. Laurie is interested in learning about volunteer / pro bono opportunities within the marketing and communications industry. She\'s also a huge basketball fan and a supporter of Alzheimer\'s research. Please feel free reach out about any of those things via InMail.

Experience

1. Senior Director, Executive Communications

   Ally

   Feb 2024 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

   I am leading a new center of excellence within the Public Relations and Social Media department at Ally, which is dedicated to supporting executive leaders in their external engagement efforts. My team oversees speechwriting and speaking engagement strategy, content creation, messaging and overall strategic alignment with PR and internal communication functions.

Education

• Duquesne University

  Master of Arts - MA, Corporate Communication

• Ohio University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Journalism and Public Relations