Laura Hill
Director
Laura Hill is a nationally recognized leader in cybersecurity, federal information technology, and public‑sector innovation, bringing more than two decades of executive experience to Idaho’s growing technology landscape. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, she has led mission‑critical operations around the globe and driven transformation across some of the nation’s most complex systems including the White House.
As Assistant Chief Information Officer for the USDA Forest Service, Laura oversaw major enterprise IT initiatives supporting tens of thousands of government employees and partners. Her work strengthened national cyber resilience, modernized critical infrastructure, and improved technology services across a geographically dispersed federal workforce.
Laura’s contributions to the nation have earned significant honors. In 2025, she received Idaho State University’s President’s Medallion, the university’s highest award for distinguished service, and was named to the Federal 100, recognizing the top leaders shaping the future of U.S. government technology.
Today, Laura continues her commitment to public service and workforce development as an Executive in Residence at Idaho State University, where she mentors the next generation of technologists, innovators, and public leaders. She advises on cybersecurity strategy, digital transformation, and leadership development, bringing real‑world insights cultivated through decades of service.
She also serves as Department Chair of Information Technology at the College of Western Idaho, where she leads academic programs that prepare Idaho’s workforce for high‑demand roles in cybersecurity, networking, and emerging technologies. Many of her students go on to advanced study at institutions including Idaho State University, continuing the educational pipeline she helped strengthen.
Driven by a lifelong dedication to mission, service, and the empowerment of others, Laura Hill remains a respected voice in Information technology and cybersecurity leadership and a champion for Idaho’s future technology workforce.