Harmonic
Strategies
Consulting services at the intersection
of research and policy
Laura E. Durso
Founder
With more than a decade of leadership in multiple professional sectors —including advocacy, government, and academic settings — my work has influenced changes in public policy and law that are data-driven and informed by stakeholder engagement. My experience in research and public policy, health care and civil rights, government relations, and communications will assist clients in conducting effective strategic planning, and designing and implementing multi-disciplinary programs with impact.
Through Harmonic Strategies, I work with clients at the intersection of research and policy, collaborating with organizations and senior leaders to meet institutional goals, conduct strategic planning, and design and implement programs integrating research, policy, government relations, and communications tools.
Areas of expertise
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With more than a decade of experience driving public policy change, I help clients develop data-informed strategies and implement advocacy campaigns with impact.
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With a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and leadership in nonprofit, community health, and government institutions, I have dedicated my career to advancing health care policy and civil rights, with a particular focus on LGBTQ health and rights.
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I support clients in meeting their institutional goals by conducting surveys and applying other types of research to their work.
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Provided coalition management support for the Data Disaggregation Action Network, including development and execution of convenings and policy advocacy to advance race and ethnicity data collection at all levels of government.
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Served as research advisor to the largest community-based survey of transgender people in the country and was a co-author on the first publication from the latest survey—the 2022 Early Insights Report.
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Collaborated on a strategic planning process and policy development review to protect and advance LGBTQ health in 2025 and beyond.
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Partnered with the Data Nutrition Project to design an original survey to support the New Commonwealth Fund in exploring the needs of nonprofits in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, particularly the experiences of nonprofit leaders of color over the last 5 years.
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Developed original research project concepts to review the state of the science in women’s health and LGBTQ health topics.
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Conducted strategic planning to develop a federal policy portfolio of work for the country’s national network of LGBTQ state equality groups, while identifying opportunities for Federation members to engage in federal policy advocacy.
Examples of my Work
Biography
I am a nationally recognized expert and researcher influencing federal, state, and local policy with particular emphasis on the advancement of LGBTQ health and civil rights.
My previous roles include serving as the Chief of Staff at the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where I helped lead the civil rights and health information privacy agenda under the Biden-Harris Administration. Prior to public service, I was the founding Executive Director and Chief Learning Officer of the Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker, where I led the strategic integration of research, policy, and education for the Whitman-Walker community health enterprise, and was the Vice President of the LGBTQ Research and Communications Project at the Center for American Progress, a D.C.-based multi-issue think tank.
I have conducted research on the needs and characteristics of LGBTQ communities, including health disparities and health behaviors; experiences of discrimination; workplace issues, including paid leave; issues facing LGBTQ youth, including homelessness; impacts of employment discrimination and LGBTQ-inclusive workplace policies; and other topics.
I am a native New Yorker and hold a B.A. in psychology from Harvard College and master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
My career path was unconventional and I advise others on taking diverse pathways to professional impact. Please check out Unconventional Ph.D. for more information.
Let’s connect
I’d love to see how I can help your organization advance its goals. Schedule with me at the link below, or email info@harmonicstrategies.llc for more information.