21/64 Certified
Director of Family Philanthropy
Laura leads the Family Philanthropy Team and serves as the primary planned giving resource for the Community Foundation. She cultivates relationships with financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, insurance agents and other estate planning professionals regarding gift opportunities for fund holders and prospects.
Laura started at the Community Foundation in 2014 after working in the retirement division at Principal Financial Group for 10 years. Since joining the Community Foundation Laura has served in a variety of capacities on our Development team. She is a member of the Eastern Iowa Planned Giving Council and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern Iowa Chapter, where she serves as 2022 Chapter President and on numerous committees.
Laura is a Cedar Rapids native and graduate of Jefferson High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Communication at the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, Laura stayed in Cedar Falls, where she lived for 12 years. Her family, including her husband Joe and their two children, Nathan and Ashlyn, relocated to Cedar Rapids to be closer to family. In her free time, Laura enjoys watching her children participate in their activities, crafting and baking. Laura loved growing up in Cedar Rapids and is glad she gets to share her favorite childhood experiences, like attending Theatre Cedar Rapids and Orchestra Iowa productions, with her own children.