Laura Zumdahl

Laura Zumdahl has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Laura began their career in 2007 as the Interim Executive Director/Associate Executive Director at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, where they managed operations and facilitated the work of the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Young Professionals Board. In 2011, they joined Donors Forum (now Forefront) as Vice President, where they managed capacity-building programs and collaboration work with nonprofit organizations of the statewide association of nonprofits and grantmakers in Illinois. Laura also oversaw extensive trainings and education, and the public library of the second largest collection of philanthropic and nonprofit resources in the world. In 2013, they became President and CEO of New Moms, where they provided leadership and oversight to the innovative, complex human service organization and social enterprise. Laura partnered with the board to provide strategic direction for the organization, and served as chief ambassador and fundraiser, resulting in 300% growth in revenue while developing best-practice programs built on research and real-time data.

Laura Zumdahl holds a B.A. in Sociology & Business from Trinity Christian College, which they obtained between 1999 and 2002. Laura then went on to obtain an M.A. in Social Work from the University of Chicago, with a specialization in Nonprofit Management. Finally, they obtained a Ph.D. in Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. In addition, they hold an Illinois Domestic Violence 40-Hour Certification and is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Illinois.