Laura Herrick
Chief Executive Officer (Jun 2024 to Present) Executive Director (Jan 2021 to Jun 2024) @Wayfarer Foundation
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WORK HISTORY
Chief Executive Officer (Jun 2024 to Present) Executive Director (Jan 2021 to Jun 2024) @Wayfarer Foundation
Wilmette, IL, US
Administered strategic planning initiatives, ensuring alignment between board and partner engagement with the organization’s core values and goals. Supervised a facilities renovation that came in under budget, while concurrently launching plans for a mixed-use development project that included affordable housing. Supported the development of the Emerging Leaders Program, which successfully onboarded Fellows, with two transitioning into full-time staff positions. Directed board development efforts to ensure strategy alignment, facilitated the approval of grants and the recruitment of new board members. Created and facilitated leadership and DEIBA training programs, significantly enhancing team effectiveness and inclusivity. Grew the Wayfarer Foundation team to 25 staff members, achieving a workforce composition of 57% female and 66% BIPOC. Promoted 40% of team members to more advanced roles during organizational growth, leveraging a robust talent management pipeline. Distributed over 550 grants to grassroots organizations since 2021, including $290K through a Youth Grantmaking Cohort. Initiated a $1.8M Arts Fellowship program to support artists whose work aligns with the foundation’s mission. Oversaw the management of a $40M budget in 2024, strategically allocating $27M in grants and $2.1M in social impact investments. Represented the foundation at nearly 100 events, including Davos (2025), Aspen Institute, and Sundance, to amplify the impact of spiritually rooted philanthropy. Enhanced operational efficiency by implementing systems, such as Bill.com and Ramp, and upgrading QuickBooks, resulting in improved financial transparency.
EDUCATION
Arts Magnet
Theater
Professional & Executive Development - Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Certificate, Women Leaders: Advancing Together Senior Leader
ABOUT LAURA HERRICK
Results-oriented and strategic executive with extensive experience guiding organizations through complex strategic initiatives, program development, and policy advocacy. Proficient in overseeing strategic initiatives and cultivating a high-performance culture centered on equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility.* Adept at monitoring and optimizing multiple large-scale budgets across the program unit to ensure alignment with organizational financial objectives. Highly skilled in devising comprehensive vision and strategic plans for the program unit, cultivating trust-based partnerships with grantees to advance the business objectives.* Experience in collaborating with VPs, AVPs, Directors, and Program officers to develop and deploy shared accountability systems.Areas of Expertise:* Operations and Event Management* Strategic Planning & Execution* Budgeting & Financial Oversight* Fundraising - Major, Annual & Planned Giving, Events & Grantmaking* Data-Driven Decision Making* Policy Development & Implementation
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