Lauren Cook (she/her)
Founder + Lead Strategist
Lauren is a writer, strategist, storyteller, and above all, a believer in the power of connecting. She believes when we are deeply connected to our own stories – all that makes us who we are – we can authentically connect with the people, ideas, and environment around us. This leads to meaningful work and meaningful lives.
For nearly 20 years, Lauren has worked at the intersection of public policy, advocacy, storytelling, and research to lead communications on essential social issues. Prior to founding Connecting Our Stories, Lauren worked for over a decade as a strategist for the Charles Butt Foundation and Raise Your Hand Texas. Lauren is a two-time graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, with a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in Spanish.
As a working mom, Lauren gave up long ago on the idea of “balance.” Instead, she tries to appreciate her very full life with a public school teacher husband, two kids, a kitten, and a puppy. Not to mention her nagging desire to always learn more, meet more people, and do more things. What (sometimes) keeps Lauren’s head above water is a delicate combination of walks and coffees with friends, meditation, nature, gathering, and dark chocolate.
Lauren self-published Domino’s Dots in late 2023, a children’s book about the value of community connections. It was inspired by a bell hooks quote: “The love we make in community stays with us wherever we go.”