Previously, Lauren served in development leadership roles at Coxe Curry & Associates, Emory University School of Medicine, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Mount Vernon Presbyterian School. In those capacities, she directed strategic initiatives, annual and capital campaigns, special events, and endowed giving programs.
As a consultant, she conducted feasibility studies, development audits, and provided pre-campaign planning and campaign management. Lauren has led board trainings and has served as a nonprofit board committee member and trustee involved in strategic planning, advancement, and building sub-committees. While at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lauren was named by the CEO to the organization’s National Strategic Steering Committee and was the youngest associate appointed.
Lauren has an exceptional understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropic community landscape and collaborates in the public and private sectors to create strong partnerships. Focused on health and education fundraising throughout her career, she leverages her experience to impact the lives of children, teens, families and individuals through the YMCA’s work in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Lauren’s prior volunteer service includes Sponsorship Chair for the Atlanta Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day and Co-Chair of the 2015 NAYDO Conference (North American YMCA Development Organization) held in Atlanta and attended by over 1,500 Y staff and volunteers from around the world. Lauren was named one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2013 “40 Under 40,” was a member of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2018, and received the YMCA’s highest honor – the Sullie Award, named for Thomas Sullivan, YMCA’s founder in the U.S. – for exemplifying the mission and values of the YMCA.
Lauren is a Georgia native having grown up on St. Simons Island. She has a BBA from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia State University. Lauren is married to Brad Koontz, a technology executive. They have two children, Kate, 15, and Sam, 12.