Lauren Gaches, Director, NOS Communications and Education Division

Tell us about yourself.

Hello! My name is Lauren Gaches and in 2024 I took on the role of Director of the National Ocean Service Communications and Education Division. In this capacity, I help shape communications for the public, NOS stakeholders, and our workforce that share the importance and value of the NOS mission.

How did you get to where you are now in your career?

I recently celebrated my 18th year serving in the field of government media relations and communications. Prior to my role at NOS, I was the NOAA Communications media relations director for the National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the media relations team at the National Weather Service, and supported the NESDIS Communications office for the Geostationary Operational Environmental R-Series and Joint Polar Satellite System missions. Before coming to NOAA in 2013, I worked as the Strategic Communications Manager at the Transportation Security Administration.

What about your work has felt especially exciting or rewarding?

The opportunity to work at four different NOAA line offices has given me the unique perspective to understand and explore our mission in different ways. Some of my most memorable experiences and projects include the launch of the GOES-R satellite, hosting the annual hurricane outlook press conference at NWS — the biggest press conference for NOAA each year, and participating in North Atlantic Right Whale Day in Massachusetts and seeing these beautiful endangered whales in the wild. As a communications professional, finding opportunities to share the valuable work we do at NOS with our partners, the general public, and across NOAA is central to my work and something I am passionate about.

When did you know you wanted to pursue your current career?

My background is actually in the arts and my education was focused on art history. When I began my first professional job at TSA in an entry level position in media relations, I quickly picked up the work and discovered it was something I was skilled in. Now, I have built on many years of experience and enjoy using those skills, expanding on them, and learning new things at NOS every day!

What is your favorite part of your work today?

I am most passionate about the opportunity to tell the story of the NOS workforce. From nautical charts, to sea level rise, to geodesy, the work of the talented team at NOS inspires me to find new ways to share and celebrate the valuable work of our agency.