Laura Thomas Laura Thomas is a nationally respected authority on intelligence operations, emerging technologies, and the evolving intersection between national security and the private sector. A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer and Chief of Base, she spent more than a decade running and overseeing sensitive operations across multiple continents. Her work placed her at the center of complex geopolitical environments, where she built intelligence networks, managed high-risk missions, and coordinated with senior leaders across the U.S. Intelligence Community.
Throughout her time at CIA, Thomas collaborated extensively with the National Security Council, Department of Defense, Department of State, Congress, and foreign partners. Her portfolio spanned counterintelligence, covert operations, and strategic technology issues — experience that would later shape her transition into the innovation economy.
Following her government service, Thomas became one of the earliest intelligence community leaders to move into the latest wave of the deep-tech industry, serving in senior executive roles at Infleqtion, a pioneering company in the quantum technology sector and now as Chief Strategy Officer at Fuse, a leading U.S. fusion energy company. In these roles she helped translate national security needs into commercial innovation, led strategic initiatives, and advised on the policy, security, and geopolitical implications of emerging technologies.
Widely recognized as a compelling speaker, Thomas is frequently invited to brief universities, government bodies, private sector executives, and venture capital audiences. Her work focuses on critical infrastructure security, great power competition, technology leadership, and the operational realities facing both government and industry.
Raised in rural North Carolina, Thomas credits her upbringing — and her family’s tradition of service — with shaping her commitment to public service and national resilience. Today, she continues to advise organizations working at the nexus of technology and security, helping leaders anticipate threats, navigate global complexities, and build the capabilities required for a more secure and competitive future.