Laurie serves as the Executive Director of Shelter the Homeless, leading the organization with a visionary, strategic, and people-centered approach. Early in her tenure, she strengthened the organization’s financial and operational foundations, diversifying revenue through government partnerships and philanthropic support. Building on this foundation, she expanded shelter capacity to meet the growing needs of vulnerable populations, most notably acquiring two motels to provide dedicated space for seniors and families, and later launched the Sustainability Fund to ensure the long-term financial stability of the organization. Under Laurie’s leadership, the team has grown significantly, with strengthened capacity across operations, development, administration, and government relations. She has earned the trust of local cities, establishing the partnerships and credibility that make it possible to site and operate shelters across Salt Lake County while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with community stakeholders.
Laurie has also worked to strengthen the integration of services across Shelter the Homeless facilities, partnering with healthcare providers and other community organizations to ensure residents receive the support they need. Today, Shelter the Homeless operates 91% of all shelter beds in Salt Lake County, reflecting Laurie’s commitment to expanding access and improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
Prior to joining Shelter the Homeless, Laurie served as Executive Director of Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, where she completed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar revitalization campaign, and as Managing Director for Sundance Institute, overseeing operations and administration. Laurie holds an M.A. in International Studies with an emphasis on Economics from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Redlands. She serves as Vice Chair of the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness and has volunteered extensively with local organizations supporting youth, the environment, education, and the arts.
