Laura Keating

I attribute my success to a combination of strong relationships, a genuine commitment to service, and a willingness to learn every step of the way. Supporting senior leaders throughout my career taught me the value of trust, adaptability, and operational excellence, which I now bring to my leadership in philanthropy. Staying mission‑focused while remaining open to collaboration has allowed me to create meaningful, lasting impact. I've been very lucky to be surrounded by amazing mentors that have taught me that leading comes with empathy and also responsibility, and who have really shaped my path about being the good I wish to see in the world.

Leadership isn't about titles and doesn't require a spotlight. It comes from showing up, asking the right questions, and being willing to engage in conversations that protect an organization and the people within it. This advice shaped how I lead: compassion paired with clarity.

I want other women to know that it's all about balancing compassion and accountability, being able to speak confidently at leadership tables, and learning that it's not necessarily about the title, but that you earn your credibility and you maintain it with integrity. But most importantly, trust your voice and don't be afraid to ask questions. I went through that for a long time in my early career, where I was afraid to ask a question because everybody else probably knows the answer, but I've learned along the way that if I'm thinking it, somebody else might be thinking it too. Your perspective matters, and leadership doesn’t require having all the answers, just a willingness to listen, learn, and lead with purpose.

One of the biggest challenges I see in philanthropy right now is moving beyond “good intentions” to truly sustainable, long‑term impact. There’s no shortage of generosity, but resources are limited and community needs are becoming more complex. That means funders have to be more thoughtful—listening more closely to nonprofit partners, asking better questions, and being honest about what’s actually working versus what simply feels good in the moment. At the same time, this is also one of the most exciting opportunities in the field. There’s a growing shift toward collaboration, transparency, and trust‑based philanthropy, where foundations, boards, and community organizations work together instead of in silos. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when funders take the time to build real relationships and support organizations beyond a single check. When philanthropy is grounded in partnership and shared accountability, the impact is deeper and far more lasting.

Integrity, compassion, and trust are at the core of everything I do—both professionally and personally. I believe in showing up consistently, following through on commitments, and treating people with respect, regardless of title or role. Those values were reinforced early in my career while supporting senior leaders; I learned quickly that trust is built not through big gestures, but through reliability, honesty, and attention to detail. One moment that really stayed with me was seeing how a single, thoughtfully structured grant could directly improve services on the ground—whether that was expanding access to care or supporting an organization that had been quietly doing incredible work for years. The same sense of responsibility carries into my board service in animal welfare, where compassion and accountability go hand in hand. Whether I’m working with nonprofit partners, board members, or community leaders, I try to lead with empathy and purpose, knowing that meaningful impact always starts with how we treat one another.