Laurie has been working with XML since before it was XML. She started her career in 1996 working with Content Management Systems using SGML data. Once she learned more about the advantages of using advanced markup languages and schemas, she focused on data analysis, data modeling, and DTD development. Before too long XML had arrived, and with it XSLT, XPath, XQuery, XSD, and the other members of the W3C XML family of standards.
Her Project Management experience began in 1998, but she has always continued working with XML as both an instructor and a consultant. In 2011, she joined the board of XML Holland and is involved in planning the annual XML Amsterdam conference.