Laura Carlson
As the Vice President of Programs of the Buell Foundation, Laura is dedicated to advancing early childhood education and development initiatives with a focus on community engagement, advocacy and long-term impact. With 20 years of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, and program leadership, she has spearheaded transformative projects aimed at ensuring every child has access to quality early learning opportunities and a strong start in life. The focus of her career has been on early childhood development. Prior to joining the Buell Foundation in 2010, Laura worked for Invest in Kids as a fundraiser and program director for statewide implementation of The Incredible Years, an evidence-based social/emotional skill development program for preschool children and their caregivers. In addition, she was a lead teacher for several years at Children’s Creative Encounters, a preschool in Littleton, CO.
In her role at the Buell Foundation, she oversees the strategic direction and execution of grantmaking initiatives, working closely with grantees, community stakeholders, and policymakers to drive systemic change. Leveraging a deep understanding of early childhood development research and the early childhood system in Colorado, she designs and implements strategies that address the holistic needs of children and families as well as the unique needs of communities across the state. She serves as a board member for EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children), a member of the national advisory for Capita, a member of the national Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, and is the immediate past chair of the Colorado Early Childhood Funders Network.
Laura holds a Master of Science in organizational leadership with a focus on change management and a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Colorado State University. In addition, she earned her Certificate in Philanthropic Leadership through the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University.
Contact Laura Carlson at 303-744-1688 or grants@buellfoundation.org.
