Lauri Hennessey’s passion is doing communications for social impact.  Her career has led her from working at Seattle radio stations at the start of her career to Capitol Hill as a press secretary, from running public affairs operations for large federal agencies to serving as VP for Public Affairs at Edelman in the Northwest and running nonprofits. She has worked for numerous public affairs and PR firms, including her own, helping local nonprofits with media relations, fundraising, crisis communications, campaigns and more. Among recent positions were Vice President for Engagement at Woodland Park Zoo, CEO of the League of Education Voters and Head of Marketing and Communications for the One Love Foundation.  

She has also served on many boards in the region, including now serving as the President of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington. 

A lifelong Husky, Professor Hennessey is a UW grad (she completed her degree after a long absence) and has her Master of Mass Communications from the University of Florida, specializing in Public Interest Communications and social impact. She teaches in both the undergraduate program and in Comm Lead here at UW. 

When not teaching, Professor Hennessey is an avid hiker, kayaker and singer.  She has three grown children and is married, living on Vashon Island. 

You can reach her at lhenn@uw.edu.