Born and raised in Hattiesburg, MS, Laura Ficken applies her experience in the classroom, in the mission field, and in the conference room to her role as Brand Account Director at BREAD. Ficken received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Mississippi State University, then went on to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern Mississippi. An avid reader and collaborator, Ficken taught high school English in both public and private school settings for several years and served as a project manager and leadership team member, both stateside and overseas, with an international missions organization based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Ficken joined the BREAD team in 2020 and has worked within the project manager and account manager roles, embodying the virtues of care, trust, and authenticity within every client project. As the Brand Account Director, Ficken’s priorities center around the needs of the client and the needs of her team. She stewards each project by establishing goals, removing project obstacles, mentoring teammates, and connecting with clients.

Having traveled to forty countries, Ficken brings her global experiences and influences into her role at BREAD in Hattiesburg. “One thing that international travel taught me is that cultural diversity is a gift from God. Different people groups have different stories, customs, and values,” Ficken said. “Brands and communities aren’t so different. Our brand team listens to the stories of our clients because we understand that the heartbeat of a brand is its people.”