Laura Rice, MBA, CFRE, leads the development of sustaining philanthropy to support the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s commitment to worldwide conservation efforts to save species. Now focused on philanthropic support and engagement, she built her expertise with over 20 years in the sector, excelling at devising creative and strategic solutions and building relationships and teams. Having earned her MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University and a BA in Communication from UC San Diego, Laura brings with her an extensive fundraising career. She has served in development leadership roles at National University, Girl Scouts of San Diego, the American Red Cross, and UCSD School of Medicine. Involved with multiple community organizations, Laura has served as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter, as a member of the Women Give DEI Committee, and is a graduate of LEAD Impact 2020.
What have you learned in this current season of your work that will fuel your hope for the future?
I'm inspired by the passion the people I work with at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance bring to their efforts to save species worldwide. They give me hope because they are amazingly creative experts, truly changing the world. I'm so glad to be involved in moving their efforts forward!