Laura Edwards is a professional in diverse areas, including fundraising, community building, marketing, mentorship and leadership. In addition, Laura is a sought public speaker and board volunteer.Laura [?]s work has embraced creating a strong culture of giving for organizations with little or no current fundraising. She also establishes meaningful relationships, locally and globally, opening up new markets in China, Europe, North and South America, all of this, while leading Advancement teams through successful annual and capital campaigns.Laura has demonstrated a clear commitment to community over the years. Notably, Laura was a member of the Board of Directors of CARE Canada for 13 years, volunteering in Africa, India, and Indonesia and she co-founded the CARE Canada [?]I Am Powerful[?] Vancouver Women[?]s Council in 2011 to benefit and support women[?]s projects in developing countries. The Council is thriving and is now national. She also sat on the Canuck Place Hospice Board, West Coast Women[?]s Health Foundation, was President of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Advancement Professionals, in addition to founding the Vancouver Giving Hearts Awards program, while sitting as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Board.Laura[?]s sheer determination and her passion for the community have not gone unnoticed. Adding to her list of accomplishments, in 2013, Laura was presented with the Sam Heaman Award from her peers of the Canadian Accredited Independent School Advancement Professionals (CAISP) for outstanding service to the association and profession. In 2008, York House School created a [?]Dream to Reality Award[?] in recognition of her having made [?]history in the world of independent schools in Canada by attracting the largest number of donors to a single campaign.[?] Laura was also awarded the Queen[?]s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2004 and the Queen[?]s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for volunteerism.In 2015, Laura received the Association for Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Fundraising Award in recognition of her work, leadership, and many years of service to the philanthropic sector. This award is one of the highest honours in the fundraising industry.