Homebase: Stirling/Scotland/UK
Job title: Speechwriter
Laura Westring is a writer and Leadership Communications Consultant who leads Public Affairs at Amiqus, a tech for good company. During her career in the European Union, her work to help young women gain positive leadership skills was recognized by Barack Obama when the White House requested that she introduce the President’s Address to European Youth during his 2014 visit to Brussels. Laura’s speech made headlines and later that year, she became the youngest political speechwriter at the European Commission. Ronald de Bruin included a chapter about her impact in his book Twenty-First Century Leadership for EU Institutions. After the European Union membership referendum in 2016, Laura returned to Scotland to work with profit for purpose companies. She believes trends in speech making are an important indication of the health of democracy and occasionally provides news commentary. Laura is currently working on a number of writing, teaching and broadcasting projects at various stages of development and is also a trustee of the John Byrne Award.
Scotland's first residential (or online) Speech Writing School will inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to cultivate their leadership potential.
It provides a space for young people to help and support each other and improve their communication skills. Moreover, it encourages them to engage in civic participation, advocacy, and democratic movements that align with their values and beliefs.