Laura Haley-McNeil received degrees in Spanish and German from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She taught Spanish in the public school system, then worked in the Western History Department of the Denver Public Library translating correspondence of Bishop Joseph Machebeuf.

After moving to San Diego, she worked as the accountant for a Christian television station, then transferred to Hardin, Montana, and performed technical production for the television station there.

She has renovated homes, bought and managed several residential properties and obtained a real estate license. Currently, she works for a real estate company as the property manager overseeing four business office complexes and producing the company newsletter and marketing material.

She is an accomplished ballet dancer having studied and performed in that area for more than twenty years and has studied piano for over forty years. Musical studies also include violin and organ. She has been on the board of directors of two Colorado orchestras and is a member of the American Liszt Society.