Lara Kennedy

As Manager for Trade and Markets Media, Lara’s main focus is on the key media that closely follow the VCM, and help set the agenda for rapid media response team.

With more than 20 years of marketing, public relations and communications experience, Lara Kennedy is adept at designing and implementing marketing strategies, issue management, and communications campaigns. She has a proven record of creating and implementing successful communication and thought leadership article placements. Lara’s background as a consultant for public relations, media relations, analyst relations, project management and branding. She is also a former director of public relations and marketing for the Austin chapter of a national marketing association.

Lara’s career includes public-sector as well as private-sector experience. She was a communications director, press secretary and legislative correspondent in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her stint on Capitol Hill, she executed public relations strategies, conducted national press conferences, created public relations campaigns and was media liaison and senior communications adviser to two members of Congress on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.

Prior to joining Verra, Lara owned and operated CheckSix Consulting in Austin, Texas, a full-service communications firm and consulted clients such as NASA, CIA, as well as national events, such as the Texas State Society’s 2013 Black Tie and Boots Presidential Inaugural Ball.

Lara holds a Master of Science in Technology Commercialization from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Arizona, where she was a member of the NCAA Swimming and Diving team. She is an active member of PRSA, Women in Communications, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce.