Laura Nichols joined Monticello in July, 2024 as Vice President for External Relations.

A public affairs veteran with deep experience across government, private and public sectors, Nichols oversees Marketing and Communications, Digital Content, Development, Events and Community Engagement for Monticello.

Prior to Monticello, she led communications for a number of media companies and non-profits enterprises including Snap, Inc., National Geographic Partners, Center for American Progress, Motion Picture Association of America and Public Broadcasting Association (PBS). She also previously served as a senior advisor and communications director for the Minority and Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Having spent her career in Washington, DC, Nichols is a recent transplant to Charlottesville. She earned her BA from the University of Missouri-Columbia.