Laura DeCoste

Laura DeCoste was appointed chief communications officer at Harvard Medical School in April 2021 after serving in an interim capacity since September 2019. In this role, she leads the HMS Office of Communications and External Relations in its work to advance the School’s mission to alleviate suffering and improve health and well-being for all.

DeCoste came to HMS in 2012, serving as executive director of development communications and donor engagement in the Office of Alumni Affairs and Development. There she led the development communications, donor relations, and special events teams. For her exemplary service, in 2018 DeCoste was named a Harvard Hero, an award that recognizes positive impact in the workplace and day-to-day work that upholds the mission and values of Harvard University.

Before coming to HMS, DeCoste led communications and marketing teams as executive director of advancement communications and marketing at Boston College and as director of development marketing at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Earlier in her career, DeCoste worked in communications and marketing at Ernst & Young, Pine Street Inn, and the Boston council of the Girl Scouts.

A Cleveland, Ohio, area native, DeCoste graduated from Muskingum University, where she double majored in English and speech communications. She subsequently relocated to Boston and earned her master’s degree in journalism from Northeastern University.