As a member of the legal and policy team, Lara is also the Director of the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations™ program. Lara brings nearly a decade of nonprofit and foundation management expertise to the Council. She is known for applying her knowledge of exempt organizations legal compliance to process and project management. Lara has a proven ability to engage in strategic issues and has worked with foundations to reverse program deficits; audit international grantmaking procedures; create gift acceptance procedures; and implement community led grant program design.
Lara graduated from Indiana University with a JD/MPA and has experience working for nonprofit organizations in India, Germany, Mexico, Liberia, and Ghana. Lara is a product of a community foundation. She received a four year Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship from Legacy Foundation and is a recipient of the Indiana Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders.
Lara loves debate, film, and community organizing; she serves on boards and committees that reflect her interests. She has trained nonprofit staff and boards on grantwriting, management, board governance, and fundraising. Lara keeps a busy travel schedule offering keynote speeches and trainings. Lara's presentations this year will take her from Boston to Japan with many stops in between.