Podcast Summary: Laura Hoffner: Setting Your Sights High

Podcast: CyberWire Daily
Host: N2K Networks
Guest: Laura Hoffner, Executive Vice President at Concentric
Date: January 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and inspiring conversation with Laura Hoffner, Executive Vice President at Concentric, whose career journey—from dreaming of Naval Intelligence in seventh grade to leading Risk Solutions in the private sector—serves as a testament to determination, adaptability, and the importance of mentorship in both military and civilian spheres. She shares personal stories, career milestones, leadership lessons, and advice for those navigating high-pressure careers or making major transitions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Aspirations and Education

• Clear Vision from Early Age:

  • Laura decided in seventh grade she wanted to be a Naval Intelligence officer supporting SEAL teams.
  • Influenced by her grandfather’s Navy stories, she was drawn to adventure, global travel, language learning, and high-pressure environments.
  • Notable Quote:

    “I decided in seventh grade I wanted to be a Naval Intelligence officer for SEAL teams and just did not waver from that.” (01:27)

• Academic Path:

  • Attended Wake Forest University, majoring in Communication Science and specializing in hostage negotiation.
  • Double minored in Chinese and Spanish.
  • Participated in study abroad programs in Taipei (Chinese) and Ferrara, Italy (Italian) to deepen linguistic and cultural expertise.
  • Balanced rigorous academics with part-time jobs to support her education, sacrificing elements of the traditional college experience.

Military Career Highlights

• Entry and Initial Deployment:

  • Entered Officer Candidate School immediately after college, applying solely for Naval Intelligence.
  • Experienced culture shock coming from a mostly civilian family background.
  • Left Intelligence School early to deploy to Afghanistan in support of a Special Operations task force.
    • Humorous moment regarding her mother’s initial support:

      “My mother...said she was only going to ‘allow’ me to join the Navy because there was no ocean in Afghanistan. So there I was four months later in Afghanistan.” (03:44)

• Key Assignments and Achievements:

  • Completed five tours in Afghanistan.
  • Worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence (Washington, D.C.), SEAL Team 7 (San Diego), and in Stuttgart, Germany.
  • Supported operations in about 57 countries during active duty.
  • Culminated her military service as a senior intelligence officer for SEAL teams in Virginia Beach, ending active duty in 2020.

Transition to the Private Sector & Leadership Lessons

• Moving to Concentric:
  • Acknowledges challenges moving from 12 years of military service to the civilian sector.
  • Initially hired as executive assistant to Roderick Jones (Concentric co-founder), then quickly promoted to Chief of Staff.
  • Drew parallels between Chief of Staff responsibilities and intelligence work: building relationships, understanding strategy, and practical execution.
  • Recently advanced to Executive Vice President of Risk Solutions.
  • Mentorship and Taking Chances:
    • Credits Concentric leadership—Mike Lefever (retired Admiral) and Roderick Jones—for believing in her potential.
    • Emphasizes the reciprocal risk in career transitions.

      “You have to take a chance. Just like they’re taking a chance on you, you need to take a chance on.” (07:37)

Core Philosophy and Advice

• Persistence and Setting High Goals:

  • Advocates for unwavering commitment to clear goals, even when others are skeptical.
  • Views “bore sighting” on your objective as positive, as even near-misses can lead to great outcomes.
  • Admits to sacrificing some enjoyment during college, advising future generations to balance hard work with experiencing life fully.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Set those sights high and do whatever you need to do in order to get there. It sounds very cliche with that, but just don’t waver.” (08:21)

• Meaningful Work and Legacy:

  • Reflects with pride on her military service:

    “People are safer because of what me and my team were doing... If I die tomorrow, [I] will be very proud of everything that we were able to do as a team.” (09:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Determination:

  “I decided in seventh grade I wanted to be a Naval Intelligence officer for SEAL teams and just did not waver from that.” (01:27)

• On Linguistic and Cultural Ambitions:

  “I wanted to combine my obsession with learning languages and learning other cultures and that I wanted to do it in the biggest pressure cooker...” (02:03)

• On Family and Going to Afghanistan:

  “My mother, in all of her sweetness, said she was only going to...allow me to join the Navy because there was no ocean in Afghanistan. So there I was four months later in Afghanistan...” (03:44)

• On Navy Experience and Travel:

  “The Navy definitely held up their bargain of ‘join the Navy, see the world.’ So I was able to travel and work in about 57 countries...” (05:12)

• On Civilian Career Transition:

  “Someone coming from just 12 years of military experience and going to the civilian sector has a lot to learn, that’s for sure.” (06:08)

• On Advice to Others:

  “Set those sights high and do whatever you need to do in order to get there. It sounds very cliche with that, but just don’t waver.” (08:21)

• On Legacy and Impact:

  “People are safer because of what me and my team were doing... If I die tomorrow, will be very proud of everything that we were able to do as a team.” (09:18)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 01:27 – 04:00: Early inspiration, education, first deployment
• 04:00 – 06:00: Military career trajectory and travel
• 06:00 – 07:45: Transition to Concentric and leadership growth
• 07:45 – 09:18: Reflections on mentorship, advice to future professionals, work-life balance, and legacy

Tone & Style

Laura shares her story with humility, humor, and genuine pride, balancing encouragement (“set your sights high”) with hard-won truths about self-discipline, sacrifice, and navigating pivotal career transitions.

This summary distills Laura Hoffner’s narrative—a compelling blueprint for those seeking to combine purpose-driven ambition with meaningful leadership in both military and private sector security roles.