Executive Director of Philanthropy & Communications

• Apr 2022 - Present

Responsible for directing the fundraising, marketing, public relations, and legislative advocacy strategy for Southwest Solutions. During this time, Laura is focussed on generating, cultivating, and pursuing fundraising opportunities; establishing key partnerships in the community; marketing the vision and mission and developing fundraising strategies for new initiatives. Additionally, she is responsible for assisting the CEO in shaping the philanthropic culture of the organization by modeling behaviors that are consistent with and promote the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of the organization Show less

Vice President of Development and Communications

• Jul 2020 - Apr 2022

Led the organization's process to chart its course in philanthropy, fund development and communications. Guide staff and volunteers to institutionalize philanthropy and fund development within the organization, securing charitable contributions to support mission and vision. Oversee marketing and communications to assist in reaching organizational budget of $16M. Manage personal portfolio of 120 donors.▻ Designed and executed a campaign for the 125th anniversary which received over 50 media hits, a governor’s proclamation, a statewide PSA, a national interview and raised over $15K in new monies.▻ In just four months, authored a new mission and vision statement (previously in limbo for more than ten years), received executive team approval, and led it through the full board approval process; this now active initiative undergirds the objective of advancing VOAMI’s visibility, increasing brand awareness, strengthening impact, engaging the community, and ensuring long-term sustainability. Successfully redesigned department to better serve a vast donor portfolio with a central focus on philanthropic culture.▻ Rebranded all five of the organization’s thrift stores resulting in a 30% increase in average transactions, and over 50% increase in thrift donations.▻ Personally transformed the Adopt A Family program from a program that runs red by $15-$20K each year to one that raises over $130K.▻ Led the Dev/Com team to raising a record-breaking annual online amount by EOY 2021 across over 30 affiliates.▻ Oversee grant writing including research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements to secure over $9M in funding for three consecutive years.▻ Identified key government officials and strategically completed outreach to offices to build support toward expansion for government funding; secured three key committee positions for VOA staff to serve on congressional representative panels focused on VOA key service areas. Show less

Director of Development and Communications

• May 2018 - Jul 2020

Developed and implemented strategic plan to raise vital funds in a cost effective and efficient manner, while increasing visibility for the brand with a strong focus on a donor centric communications message. Implemented development systems and built infrastructure to maximize department efficiency.▻ Joined the department at a donor retention rate of 20% and implemented a new stewardship program that has lifted the retention rate to 53%, nearly 20% above the national average.▻ Designed and successfully completed multiple trainings with Board of Directors to engage them in outreach, communications, and fund development.▻ Oversee grant writing including research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements to secure over $9M in funding for three consecutive years.▻ Raise on average $250K+ each year in new restricted monies toward programs (including senior housing and veterans programming). ▻ Reached personal fundraising goal of $2.5M cumulatively. Through individual and corporate giving, special events, foundation relations, grant writing.▻ Wrote and successfully awarded a $200K grant to begin a new pilot program for Veterans Behavioral Health to allow veterans access to a provider outside of the Veterans Administration.▻ Oversee statewide volunteer program, leveraging relationships to bring in major gifts to the organization.▻ Recruited, hired, trained, and supervised three full time positions, along with four seasonal positions for Adopt A Family holiday program. Show less

Community Engagement Manager

• Jul 2016 - Apr 2018

As the first trained fundraiser hired on the team, advised on development process, and hit the ground working with donors and building key relationships in the community. Opened the door for local grant opportunities and oversaw all development activities in the southeast region of the state.▻ Personally revitalized Holidays of Hope event that raised only $30K net annually to one that now brings in $170K+ net each year.▻ Raised on average $50K+ each year in new restricted monies toward programs (including senior housing and veterans programming). ▻ Launched new event focused on raising awareness and dollars for veteran programming in southeast region which honored Senator Gary Peters and opened the door for legislative support for veteran funding at the federal level. Show less

Development Coordinator

• May 2015 - Jun 2016

Led development efforts for this nonprofit organization that provides training and guidance on successful communications strategies, including digital and social media, spokesperson and message development, narrative building, and more. ▻ Managed and executed two successful annual fundraising events, doubling the net raised in the second year from $50K to $100K. ▻ Expanded online fundraising by 50% through targeted social media and digital fundraising strategies. ▻ Facilitated over 30 high-profile donor meetings, which led to the acquisition of multiple new donors; created a targeted approach to move them through the donor life cycle and secure multiple major gifts $1K and up. ▻ Completed research on local foundations and built relationships with local grant officers resulting in the procurement of a $30K grant. Show less

Senior Call Time Manager

• Aug 2013 - Dec 2014

Promoted rapidly to lead the call-time portion of the finance plan for a top-tier, nationally recognized Gubernatorial campaign. Oversaw research for donor capacity and prospects. ▻ Built and executed a comprehensive call-time strategy which compiled individual, corporate, Political Action Committee, and event dollars, successfully raising in excess of $26M — $2M in 18 months for the gubernatorial candidate call-time program, $1M for the Lt. Governor candidate’s call-time program, $8M in statewide events, and $15M in PAC dollars. ▻ Trained and supervised the Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate call-time manager and finance assistant. Show less

Finance Intern

• May 2013 - Jul 2013