Laura Buckwald founded the Human Vitality and Resilience Center (HVRC) after receiving her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree in Leadership, Resilience, and Well-Being from George Mason University’s School of Integrative Studies.  In this program, she studied the multitude of factors which create human resilience and vitality, including the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of resilience and well-being; positive psychology; the neuroscience of resilience, well-being, and leadership; positive organizational development; meditation; mindfulness; and music and consciousness studies.  She has also studied psychosocial trauma and healing and ensures that all HVRC courses are trauma sensitive.

She is a HeartMath Certified Resilience Advantage^TM Program Trainer and a Positive Neuroplasticity Certified Trainer, and incorporates these resilience-building techniques into her training courses.  She is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.

Since 2020, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University, teaching Foundations of Resilience and Well-Being in the School of Integrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.   Her current research interests include public policy applications of well-being, the intersection of democracy and well-being, and the impact of nature on resilience and well-being. 

She taught resilience and well-being practices for current and aspiring leaders in the U.S. Government, guiding them to becoming more resilient leaders, and helping them to increase their own well-being and create greater well-being in their workplace.  She has also trained public school teachers, non-profit and charitable organization employees and other groups in how to enhance their resilience and help others build their resilience and well-being.

Ms. Buckwald spent 32 years with the U.S. Government, working and traveling around the world.  She has served in the Middle East and Europe, including in war zones.  She has a B.A. in International Studies from American University in Washington, D.C., and has studied Arabic and German extensively.  She has used her experience to adapt the program for an international audience, incorporating the needs of various cultures into the program, allowing for the courses to have global applications.  

She is a Reiki Master Practitioner/Master Instructor and an Integrated Energy Therapy Master Practitioner/Master Instructor.  In her spare time, she is a classical violinist who also enjoys playing traditional Celtic and Old Time music.