1. Resume of Laura Breeden, Page 1 of 3
LAURA L. BREEDEN
3416 Brown Street, NW, Apt. B, Washington, DC 20010 • lbreeden@earthlink.net • Cell: 617-271-4128
Summary
• Nationally recognized expert in the pubic-sector application of new communications technologies,
in arenas including education, libraries, state and local governments, and workforce development
• Proven manager across public, private and nonprofit sectors, including oversight of $450 million
federal grant portfolio to support public access and training for broadband adoption
• Strong leader with demonstrated ability to start up new projects and create powerful working
relationships with key stakeholders
Professional Experience
July 2015-current
Chair, Directing Council (voluntary part-time position)
National Digital Inclusion Alliance (www.digitalinclusionalliance.org)
• Help lead a new nonprofit association dedicated to promoting equity in access to Internet
services, tools and skills
May 2009-June 2015
Program Director, Public Computer Centers and Broadband Adoption
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA), US Department of Commerce, Washington DC
• Recruited by Obama transition team to join NTIA for launch of new $4.7 billion competitive grant
program designed to stimulate the economy and expand broadband Internet access and use
• Under tight deadlines, led the design of programs for public computer centers ($200 million) and
broadband access for low-income and other disadvantaged groups ($250 million)
• Reviewed and vetted several hundred proposals as part of a complex due diligence process, and
selected a balanced slate of projects for recommendation to the BTOP Director and the head of NTIA
• Developed effective collaborations with key stakeholders, including foundations and federal agencies
• Oversaw a grant portfolio of 100+ projects totaling $450 million and a staff of 13 (federal and
contractors) – see www2.ntia.doc.gov
• Recognized for the successful launch of this program with the Department’s Gold Medal
• Conceived and directed the publication of a toolkit for broadband adoption (published 2013); was
recognized with Department’s Silver Medal for this accomplishment
August 2007-May 2009
Director of Education and Community Partnerships
From the Top, Inc., Boston, MA
From the Top (www.fromthetop.org) produces an award-winning PBS television series and an NPR
weekly radio program highlighting young classical musicians, ages 8 to 18.
• Led education and community outreach for a nonprofit arts and media production company
• Developed new online educational products and services, including video and curriculum
• Managed grants totaling more than $700,000 per year from public and private funders

2. Resume of Laura Breeden, Page 2 of 3
September 2000-August 2007
Strategic Director, Community, Technology and Learning Group
Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), Newton, MA
EDC (www.edc.org) is a global nonprofit that improves learning and health through research, technical
assistance and product development.
• Oversaw technology-related projects in public access computing, youth media, afterschool services
and informal science education, with both federal and private funding
• Created and led a 7-member national consortium funded at $9 million by the US Department of
Education to serve more than 400 community technology centers based in low-income housing,
schools, health clinics, community colleges and libraries
• Developed an extensive suite of services and products, including a comprehensive web site, Spanish-
language resources, and a field innovation grant program, all within the demanding specifications and
budget of a fixed-price federal contract
March 1996-September 2000
Principal
Laura Breeden and Associates, Inc., Menlo Park, CA
LBA was a consulting practice focused on technology planning and project development.
• Collaborated with a range of clients (e.g. the James Irvine Foundation, the Annie E. Casey
Foundation, the University of Michigan, BBN, the Morino Institute and SRI International) to launch
new technology projects, develop proposals, and create strategic plans
• Developed products including a report on effective models of community computer centers (Annie E.
Casey Foundation), a plan to create a partnership between leading universities and their private-
sector collaborators (SRI International) and a plan for corporate involvement in Internet2 (BBN)
February 1994-February 1996
Director, Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, and
Chief, Infrastructure Division
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), US Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC
The Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, later called TOP
(Technology Opportunities Program), was a broad initiative to rapidly seed innovation and test new
ideas across a range of public and social services, including education, libraries, health care and health
information, government services and public safety.
• Selected as founding director of major federal grant program to develop Internet-based services and
applications for the public sector
• Established program rules, designed the proposal review process, and directed final selection of
projects for recommendation to the Assistant Secretary
• Opened the grant-making process to the public by holding bidders’ conferences, attending
stakeholder events throughout the US and initiating stringent evaluation requirements, including
program evaluation by independent contractors
• Conducted rigorous reviews of more than 3,000 proposals in two years, and awarded $60 million in
matching grants
• Recognized with the Department’s Silver Medal for these achievements
1991-1994
Executive Director
FARNET, Inc. (Federation of American Research Networks), Lexington, MA
FARNET was a national nonprofit trade association for Internet service providers at a time when the
Internet was rapidly commercializing.

3. Resume of Laura Breeden, Page 3 of 3
• Founding director and first staff member of a newly formed nonprofit association
• Increased membership, recognition, and revenues, organized national policy workshops, developed
educational seminars for members, and established alliances with similar associations, including the
Consortium for School Networking and the American Library Association
1983-1991
Manager, Network Services Group
BBN, Inc., Cambridge, MA
BBN, a technology research and development company, was instrumental in creating the Internet
protocols.
• Led the team that established the first regional educational network for New England (NEARnet),
which became self-supporting in one year and grew to 80 members in two years
• Managed the CSNET (Computer Science Research Network) project from 1987-1989, including
technical development, network operations, marketing, sales and financial
Selected Professional Activities
Advisory Board Member, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Library Portal (“Web Junction”) Project
Board Member, Association for Community Networking
Mentor (Master’s Student Program), School of Information, University of Michigan
Program Committee Member, INET 98 and INET 93 (INET is the International Conference of the
Internet Society)
Education
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH: Bachelor of Arts (Phi Beta Kappa), Urban Studies and Education
References
Available upon request