Laura Doherty, Public Relations Manager

What does your role at the company entail?
"I handle the promotion of all Vans lifestyle and fashion footwear and apparel categories to the media. I even work on film placements. There is never a dull moment in my day, whether it’s launching a new collection or getting samples to New York for next-day delivery, there's always something to do! I also get to visit New York quite a bit for events and media showroom appointments."

Tell us the story behind your first pair of Vans.
"I attended a private elementary school and had to wear black-to-the-floor shoes with my uniform. There wasn’t much room for expressing yourself through your clothes. Everyone wore the same shoes, and you’d have to have a specific label to be cool. But, I wore my Vans. I was the only one and felt so special because I was different. The splash of red on the heel tab made me feel like a rebel, too, since I was always getting chased by a nun to color it in, ha!"

What's your most memorable moment working with the company?
"Last year, Vans brought back a tradition of hosting a summer Vans family picnic. I brought my 5-year-old nephew to zip line, jump in bounce houses, and race down slides. I was running around like a kid with him. There was such an amazing feeling of family there. After he went home, my sister called to tell me that he was pretending to be a Vans 'worker.' He had that much fun with my company that he was pretending to be one of us. Priceless."

Where's the most exotic place your Vans have traveled with you?
"Guanajuato, Mexico, with the love of my life. It was so romantic to walk the cobblestone streets both wearing our favorite Vans."