Laura Ayers
1313 Fifth Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-379-3817
ayerscod@aol.com


MISSION

Assist nonprofit organizations by guiding them through transition with sound strategic thinking and tailored solutions to achieve their organizational missions


AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Organizational Development
Board and Executive Director Coaching
Stakeholder Engagement


PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Consulting

Laura provides professional consultation for a wide variety of projects. The following are a representative sample:

  • Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits — Project ReDesign
    2009
    Design and conduct interviews with 10 national experts in nonprofit management; draft report on best practices in foundation, consulting, metrics and guidance activities for nonprofits considering and conducting mergers and implementation of mergers.
    2009
    Provide board and executive director coaching; design staff and board implementation strategy by matching existing skills, identifying gaps, and setting realistic goals for completion of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County's newly approved merger from two historic community assets.
  • Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County 2009
    Provide board and executive director coaching; design staff and board implementation strategy by matching existing skills, identifying gaps, and setting realistic goals for completion of the organization's newly approved merger from two historic community assets.
  • Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation
    2008-2009
    Provide neutral guidance and project management for search committee's Executive Director recruitment, hiring and selection process.
    2008
    Interview 40 stakeholders, analyze feedback and provide recommendations for key skills and leadership priorities of future Executive Director.
  • Loring Nicollet-Bethlehem Community Centers: A Lively History 2008
    (Nominee: Minnesota Book Award) On behalf of Project for Pride in Living in its merger with LNB, collaborate on defining themes, gather first-person recollections and materials and supervise the design and publication of a limited edition, hand-bound book that tells the story of LNB's impact over 50 years in the lives of individuals and the community.
    Click here to see a copy of the book
  • Chinese-American Association of MN: Chinese Dance Theater
    2009
    Gather stakeholder feedback and craft recommendations, work with staff and key leaders to refine and implement new outreach plan.
    2008
    Facilitation of organizational capacity building and development of an operational plan via on-going coaching with the Board of Directors.
  • Texas Water Mission 2008
    Co-responsibility for creation of an operational and board structure to meet demands of growth and increase in service delivery.
  • The Network for Better Futures 2007
    Primary operational role for the pre-planning and organizational structural development of a complex new multi-agency organization.


Organizational Leadership

  • Executive Director, District 202 2000–2007
    Provided overall leadership for an organization whose mission is to meet the unique social, cultural, and educational needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their allied friends, ages 21 and younger. Grew budget to $750,000 annually, supervising up to 28 staff with five direct reports, within the context of a highly interactive youth development framework.
  • Council Aide, City of Minneapolis-Eighth Ward 1996–1999
    Provided facilitation of special issues (floodwater redmediation, community redevelopment) that required coordination between residents, business owners, and multiple levels of government. Basic constituent service. Attended committee meetings and neighborhood meetings to represent the Council Member's perspective and to gather feedback.
  • Executive Director, No Name Exhibitions/The Soap Factory 1993–1996
    Provided overall leadership to the organization and facilitated the growth of this organization resulting in a permanent debt-free home, an increase in dollar resources available for artists, and an increase in the number of volunteers working for the mission of the organization.


EDUCATION

B.A., Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
Major in European Studies; Minor in French

A self-designed major requiring an undergraduate thesis: From Conquistadors to Vatican II — Medieval Religious Hierarchy versus Liberation Theology in the New World

PUBLICATIONS

Loring Nicollet-Bethlehem Community Centers 1954–2008: A Lively History (Created by Laura Ayers & Jim Storm on behalf of the Project for Pride in Living as a celebration of its merger with LNB)
Click here to see a copy of the book