From helping people navigate their financial journeys to crafting communication strategies and advising the presidents of leading public and private organizations, Laura Whitley’s is a results-driven, versatile business leader whose professional experiences have taken her from newsrooms to boardrooms.

Laura serves as a key executive for TDECU, Houston’s largest credit union. As Market President for the Houston area, she drives business development initiatives, establishes, and nurtures key relationships with corporate partners, community organizations, and local businesses to strengthen TDECU’s presence in the region. Laura also leverages her exceptional communication skills to develop meaningful relationships and foster internal collaboration.

Laura is a veteran storyteller whose work in marketing content creation has been recognized with both Addy & Telly awards. Before moving to corporate communications, Laura honed her storytelling skills as a journalist. She came to Houston in 2003 as reporter for KTRK ABC-13. After leaving daily news, she founded her own agency, Reel Media Solutions, where she produced for national news programs like Good Morning America and helped a diverse portfolio of clients tell their stories.

In 2016, Laura joined the press office at the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO). During her tenure, she helped support the agency’s successful effort to pass the Houston region’s largest transit bond in history and founded the agency’s first podcast, “The Next Stop.”

Laura joined TDECU in 2021 to lead communications efforts to enhance and grow brand awareness. As the Vice President of Communications, she led a team that in 2022 successfully managed several major announcements including TDECU’s historic partnership with the University of Houston as well the launch of a modern digital workplace to support employee engagement.

Laura’s proven success, dedication to improving lives, and deep ties in the community she’s called home for the last 20 years were key factors in her promotion to TDECU’s, first-ever, Market President for the Houston area.

Laura is an engaged community volunteer and enjoys exploring Houston with her family. She is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Laura is committed to continuous professional development and is a graduate of the Fort Bend Chamber Commerce Leadership Forum, a board member of March of Dimes Houston and the TDECU Cares Foundation.