Full Bio
For more than 25 years Laura Okmin has been covering the biggest names in sports on the biggest stages. But what Laura is most known for, and most proud of, is the connections she has cultivated over two decades of building relationships not sources. Trust has been the foundation of every interview she conducts, the content she creates with her production company – and now her company leading the next generation of women sports broadcasters.
Laura’s passion is teaching companies, professional sports teams and executives how to build deeper relationships and connections. It’s what has gotten her to the top of her field and allowed her to stay there for close to three decades – as well as the reason she’s been able to grow outside of it. Covid-19 has made that skill even more essential. Knowing how to build an authentic bond isn’t important these days – it’s a necessity – whether it’s in person or virtual.
Laura has spent months virtually coaching Super Bowl Head Coaches, NFL coaching staffs, NFL teams, College Football programs, companies and groups of women, on how to build connections – whether it’s a small group or hundreds of people. The WHERE doesn’t matter. It’s all about HOW.
Laura will lead your group to grow closer than ever during this time, creating deeper and more meaningful relationships.
Always passionate about her job, GALVANIZE gave Laura a purpose: Training and mentoring young women entering the sports world on – and more importantly – OFF camera. Its genesis was to give young women something Laura didn’t have growing up in this business a network of other women. By conducting seminars around the country, GALVANIZE boot camps teach participants to build their own foundations by establishing relationships, gaining confidence, going deeper in their interviews, and all the while, empowering themselves and each other. Laura proudly established The Stuart Scott Minority Scholarship in memory of her best friend and ESPN anchor who passed away in 2015. The scholarship provides additional opportunities for young women to participate in GALVANIZE programs throughout the year.
You’ll also find Laura on the sidelines for the NFL on FOX and Westwood One’s NFL national radio games; she’s the 3rd longest tenured sideline reporter in NFL History. She’s covered more than 10 Super Bowls, hosted Olympic coverage from the London, Sochi and Pyeongchang games, and reported from multiple World Series and NBA and NHL championships. Laura has worked for CNN, TNT/TBS Sports, hosted national shows on FSN and was a sideline reporter from the Orange and Fiesta BCS Bowl Games. She began her broadcasting career as a Sports Reporter/Anchor in Montgomery, AL, Chattanooga, TN and Sports Channel in Chicago, where she traveled with the Chicago Bulls during their championship run leading to an Emmy Award.
Wanting to create, develop and own content, Laura started LO Productions in 2007 producing PROfiles, a 30-minute series introducing viewers to NFL personalities off the field which aired on FSN for two seasons. She hosted the series while also serving as its Executive Producer securing VIZIO as the title sponsor, booked each guest and wrote every episode.
Laura speaks to businesses and colleges throughout the country. She also offers sought-after media training for professional athletes, coaches, NFL and MLB teams and business professionals. She is the media/communications consultant for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association. Crafting the messaging for nearly 200 of the top professional women in hockey players in the world. She was featured in Sports Illustrated’s 2020 list ‘The Unrelenting’ a collection of the most powerful, most influential and most outstanding women in sports.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Videos
The New YorkHER Podcast: Ep. 5 with Laura Okmin | New York Jets | NFL
Her Playbook: Laura Okmin on Her Career & Working to Inspire Future Women in Sports
Books
News
Testimonials
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