Member Spotlight: Laurel H. Marks

Laurel H. Marks
Senior Development Director
Canine Companions for Independence®

Q: Tell us a little about your organization. Mission? Population you serve? What do you like most about working there?
A: Canine Companions mission is to enhance the lives of children, adults and veterans who have a disability by pairing them with a highly trained assistance dog. The work that we do is life changing! I have a passion for helping people and a love for dogs, therefore I am privileged to work at Canine Companions as I get to have both of these passions combined in my daily role.

Q: How long have you been an AFP member, and what has your involvement been?
A: I have been a member for less than a year. I would like to get more involved. I have attended a few seminars and the annual lunch, held last year.

Q: What do you consider the most valuable part of your AFP membership?
A: The most valuable part of an AFP membership is having the connectivity to fellow fundraisers and colleagues who share the same passion of donor engagement.

Q: How long have you been in fundraising, and how did you get into it?
A: I came from the corporate side, working with numerous non-profits, funding them and sitting on many different boards and host committees. I decided to move from a board member to an employee of one of the non-profits we supported as a corporation. I then heard about Canine Companions nice years ago and have been with the organization ever since.

Q: What is your favorite part about living/working in Columbus? Favorite Restaurant?
A: I have a core group of friends and family that make Columbus a great place to live. My favorite restaurant is Figlio and the owners just happen to be involved with Canine Companions!

Q: Tell us a fun fact about you that other AFP members wouldn’t know.
A: I have a full hip replacement at age 42. This was due to playing tennis all my life, both in high school and college

Posted June 2017