Laura Valdo
Laura is the newest member of the YNPN Board. Congratulations, Laura! To learn more about our Board, click here.
Title – Director of Development and Civic Engagement
Organization/Agency – Citizen Schools
Hometown – Phoenix, Arizona
Education – Arizona State University, BA in Justice and Social Inquiry
Why did you choose to work in the nonprofit field? I often say that it chose me. In my early career days I struggled with not feeling a part of something larger, or feeling that the work I was doing day to day was lacking something. I began volunteering with an organization and fell in love with fundraising and development. I had always been good at building relationships and selling things, but suddenly I was selling something I truly believed in. Soon after, a development position opened with that agency, and I never looked back.
Why did you pick the cause you are currently a part of? When did you know you wanted to do this work? I knew early on that my passions lay with the notion of “leveling the playing field” for everyone. I wanted to give a voice to those who didn’t have one loud enough to be heard. Even as a young child, injustice or inequality was very upsetting for me. I wanted everyone to be given the same opportunities in education, community engagement, and employment. My work has taken me through all of those areas. I currently work to close the achievement gap for students in low-income communities and it is a cause I am deeply passionate about.
What impact does your non-profit have in the community? I think education is at the root of so many issues – homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, recidivism. It is my belief if the work I do is able to impact the vocational and financial future of our most vulnerable populations, we will indeed see large scale change.
Why do you feel it’s important for young people to work in social profit professions? I think the younger generation has experienced many social challenges in their lifetime and has been vocal about their dissatisfaction of it. Working in social profit is one direct way of doing something about the current world’s challenges. Additionally, young people have different and unique views and perspectives that will lend themselves to the ever-changing nonprofit world.
How do you avoid burn-out and where do you get support? I think burn-out is completely avoidable if one learns how to limit themselves. I work hard, but I also reward myself accordingly. I am a big believer in the idea of rejuvenation and relaxation leading to success.
Please share a memorable story that sticks out in your mind about work you have done for a nonprofit. In Arizona I ran an organization that worked with teenage girls to identify and address social issues in their community. One of the first participants in the program was a then 14-year-old refugee from Burundi who had recently moved with her family from a war torn community. In 4 years I was able to see her go from speaking little English, being so shy she barely raised her eyes, and having no goals beyond avoiding teenage pregnancy like many of her family members to graduating top of her class and speaking at her high school graduation. She is now 21 years old and graduating college with a degree in psychology, and hopes to work with teens in inner cities once she completes her master’s degree. I hear from her often in emails and photos, and she is a true inspiration to me.
