Laura Werber

Laura Werber is a Senior Management Scientist at the RAND Corporation and a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. Her work bridges organizational theory and public policy, with a focus on defense workforce management, talent strategy, and support for military families and veterans.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, Stanford University
• B.S. in Economics (cum laude), Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Werber’s research centers on workforce and organizational issues in public and defense sectors. Her expertise includes talent management, performance measurement, organizational design, and program evaluation. She frequently applies these to military and veteran populations, examining civilian employment of reserve personnel, veteran social connectedness, and military family support. She has also contributed to broader organizational policy, including faith-based support systems and disaster preparedness.

Her recent publications reflect a consistent focus on defense workforce policy, performance assessment, and organizational resilience. Themes include strengthening performance review systems, evaluating employer experiences with reserve duty, and improving acquisition workforce capabilities. These works span rigorous research reports, executive summaries, and practical tools for program evaluation.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Werber leads and contributes to numerous Department of Defense-sponsored projects, including assessments of total force talent management and acquisition workforce development. She has advised on civilian hiring improvements for DHS and evaluated programs such as Beyond Yellow Ribbon and the Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project. Her work often involves mixed-methods research, program evaluation, and policy recommendations.

She is affiliated with RAND’s research teams focused on military personnel policy, workforce analytics, and social support systems. Her leadership in congressionally mandated assessments and interagency collaborations highlights her role in shaping national defense human capital strategy.