Laurie is a collaborative, results-oriented, executive leader and board member with diverse, significant experience in the fields of fundraising, marketing/communications, finance and strategic planning.
She thrives working with dedicated professionals and community leaders who want to improve lives through access to better health care and education, transforming communities through the power of philanthropy and communication. She’s a connector who loves linking people, causes and organizations.
Laurie is a senior vice president and the chief philanthropy officer for Providence, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States. Providence has served the Western U.S. for more than 165 years and comprises 52 hospitals and 1,085 clinics with 120,000 caregivers who serve in in Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Providence’s network of 40 + foundations, have raised $1.2 billion over the past four years.
Laurie also leads the newly formed Providence National Foundation, which launched in September 2021 to inspire philanthropy to address some of the most pressing health challenges facing our population today. A member of the Providence Executive Council, Laurie’s work is a significant support of the health system’s role in transforming health care for the future.
In her spare time, Laurie enjoys gardening, exercise, and spending time with her expanding family. Finding ways to successfully juggle marriage, career, and family has been at the forefront of her life. After being happily married for 35 years, Laurie’s husband, Mike Kelley, died from cancer in 2020. Her family includes four grown children, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law and four granddaughters.
I’ve been so fortunate to have a very fulfilling and busy life—working for a variety of amazing, mission-oriented organizations, serving on boards, maintaining and growing friendships, and, most importantly, raising a happy, healthy, and successful family together with my late husband, Mike. Making a difference for others keeps me motivated and moving forward.”
I became a widow in October 2020. When you lose someone close, it forces you to think about how you’re living life. I want you to consider living full-time, with intention, including time for rest and renewal.
I was driving down the road one day, and the song “For the First Time” by Darius Rucker came on the radio. I’ve always liked that song, but this particular day, I actually gave the question some serious thought: When was the last time I did something for the first time? I really couldn’t think of anything—which made me start thinking…
Over the course of my career, I’ve seen women taking their rightful place in leadership roles and becoming a force for change in their communities. It’s gratifying to see, and I’m committed to helping empower women, especially working moms like myself, any way that I can.