Dr. Laura Prietula is a distinguished technology and digital transformation executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning the public and private sectors. She has built a career at the intersection of technology, healthcare, organizational transformation, strategic planning, and customer experience, with more than two decades of service at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Laura currently serves as Senior Advisor to the CIO and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she leads mission areas of enterprise importance to the agency. In this role, she brings extensive experience guiding complex technology initiatives, advancing modernization efforts, and helping align technology strategy with broader organizational priorities. Her current position follows several years of senior leadership in VA’s Office of Information and Technology and Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office.
Previously, Laura served as Deputy Chief Information Officer for VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, where she was responsible for the technical implementation and integration of VA’s modernized electronic health record. She worked closely with clinical and technical stakeholders to support the successful transition to the new system while ensuring sustainability, responsive customer support, and effective adoption of new technologies. She also represented VA in congressional hearings addressing EHR modernization and healthcare interoperability.
Over the course of her VA career, Laura has led numerous enterprise-wide initiatives involving healthcare, benefits delivery, identity and access management, customer experience, contact center modernization, and digital transformation. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Director of VA’s Health Portfolio and held leadership roles within the Veterans Experience Office, where she helped drive systemwide technology transformations and initiatives focused on improving experiences for Veterans, families, patients, and employees.
Laura’s professional expertise encompasses digital transformation, organizational change management, technology strategy, enterprise integration, engineering, portfolio management, and customer experience. She is recognized for her ability to lead complex initiatives, connect technology with mission objectives, and guide organizations through significant periods of change. Her career has included experience across healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, and other industries, providing her with a broad perspective on innovation and organizational performance.
A passionate advocate for leadership and continuous growth, Laura also extends her impact beyond her government career through Seldon Advisors, where she applies her leadership experience and insights to support professional development and transformation. She has also been recognized with a Future CIO Award, highlighting her influence and forward-thinking approach to technology leadership.
Laura holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, a Master’s degree in Decision and Information Sciences from the University of Florida, and a Doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Laura is passionate about giving back and supporting causes that matter to her. She is a breast cancer survivor who has openly embraced her journey as a source of resilience, gratitude, and renewed purpose. She also remains committed to volunteer service and honoring those who serve their communities and country.
Through her leadership, resilience, and commitment to service, Laura continues to demonstrate that transformative technology leadership is ultimately about people: improving experiences, enabling organizations to fulfill their missions, and creating meaningful and lasting impact.
Worldwide Women’s Association member Laura Prietula can be found on the directory where she is looking forward to networking with you.
