Laura Cococcia is the editor and publisher of The Journal of Cultural Conversation. A self-designed cultural anthropologist, she is a voracious reader, obsessed traveler, yoga lover, hiking fanatic, committed foodie and excited activist. She spends her days working in global marketing and communications with a fabulous crowd of creative folks.

A curious soul, Laura writes about lessons learned from people, places and things. Using the world as a cultural classroom, she focuses on sharing a tapestry of trends and discoveries about traveling and exploring global cultures, writing, reading, stimulating social change and experiencing art in all its forms.

Over the past decade, Laura has contributed to a number of publications and books as a freelance writer and editor. Most recently, she was a contributing author to Hungry? Chicago 2009. She is an active member of the National Book Critics Circle, the Association for Business Communication and PEN American Center. In addition, Laura is currently involved in a variety of writing and social media volunteer projects for global nonprofit organizations and social change efforts.

Laura has lived abroad twice, traveled to over 30 countries and knows enough of a few languages to get around. The oldest and shortest of five children, she happily graduated from The College of The Holy Cross and holds graduate degrees in women’s studies and business management.

You can read Laura’s TJCC posts here. Laura also recently moderated a panel for TALK NYC: “Differentiated Content in the Blogosphere and How to Capture It.” Awesome conversation.

Currently, she lives in New York City. Feel free to contact her directly at lauracococcia@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter.

Laura’s Favorite Quote:

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.

- Audrey Hepburn