Lura Barber Email & Phone Number

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Beam is on a mission to modernize the American social safety net and get timely assistance to more eligible, vulnerable families. Our out-of-the box platform enables nonprofits, state and local governments to seamlessly run:▶ Human services programs▶ Emergency assistance programs▶ Workforce development programs▶ Childcare programs▶ Housing programs▶ Small business programs

Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area

The Community Food Club is a nonprofit, member-based grocery store serving low-income Kent County residents. Our members pay between $11 and $15 for a 30-day membership and are able to shop using points based on their household size. Most members receive 9 to 11 days’ worth of food during each membership period. They can shop as often as they’d like and select foods that fit their needs.Our approach to food security is rooted in consumer choice, member participation, and access to… Show more The Community Food Club is a nonprofit, member-based grocery store serving low-income Kent County residents. Our members pay between $11 and $15 for a 30-day membership and are able to shop using points based on their household size. Most members receive 9 to 11 days’ worth of food during each membership period. They can shop as often as they’d like and select foods that fit their needs.Our approach to food security is rooted in consumer choice, member participation, and access to healthy foods. We provide a culturally appropriate, dignified shopping experience for all Kent County residents faced with food access challenges. Show less

Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area

GRIT provides playful, engaging, and transformative team-building experiences using the tools and frameworks of improv comedy. Co-founders Lura Barber and Megan Erskine are passionate believers in the power of improv to help people connect more deeply with themselves and others. Trained at top programs in Chicago and DC, together they have more than 25 years of experience performing, teaching, and facilitating improv workshops.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Reported to: Senior Director of Advancement | Annual revenue goal: $3M | Pipeline: $5M+ (weighted) Guided fundraising and deal development across 44 states outside the organization’s regional footprint, national funders, nonprofits, federal agencies, Tribal organizations, higher education, and healthcare. Served as “voice of customer” for regional funders and nonprofits. Partnered closely with Product and Marketing teams to evolve fundraising and earned revenue offerings in response to… Show more Reported to: Senior Director of Advancement | Annual revenue goal: $3M | Pipeline: $5M+ (weighted) Guided fundraising and deal development across 44 states outside the organization’s regional footprint, national funders, nonprofits, federal agencies, Tribal organizations, higher education, and healthcare. Served as “voice of customer” for regional funders and nonprofits. Partnered closely with Product and Marketing teams to evolve fundraising and earned revenue offerings in response to market demand.▶ Led solicitation of $4.7M in funding from corporate, philanthropic, and government sources (as of July 2024)▶ Developed Advisory Services offering to provide community-based organizations and funders in regional markets with data analytics and strategic planning for benefits access campaigns | Co-created go-to-market strategy with Chief Revenue Officer and Director of Product | Launched in Connecticut (2024) after prototyping in Dallas, Houston, and NYC (2022)▶ Positioned organization to expand operations to at least to 7 new states or cities by EOY Show less

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Reported to: Director, Partnerships | Direct report: Engagement Manager, PartnershipsLed engagement strategy for new markets during a period of significant growth during which employee headcount doubled and annual revenue grew from $26M to $46M. Served as the initial point of contact for all partnership inquiries. Partnered closely with Revenue and Data teams to design, build, and implement an efficient unified sales process in Salesforce.▶ Secured $2.7M ARPA grant from the City… Show more Reported to: Director, Partnerships | Direct report: Engagement Manager, PartnershipsLed engagement strategy for new markets during a period of significant growth during which employee headcount doubled and annual revenue grew from $26M to $46M. Served as the initial point of contact for all partnership inquiries. Partnered closely with Revenue and Data teams to design, build, and implement an efficient unified sales process in Salesforce.▶ Secured $2.7M ARPA grant from the City of Dallas to design and build a citywide resource access network -- the largest government grant in organizational history▶ Led competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process awarding $1M to human services agencies to modernize their outreach and enrollment approaches▶ Evolved partner engagement and evaluation processes to be more responsive and equitable, e.g., by adding a partnership inquiry form to the website and reducing average response time to all partnership inquiries by 93% (from 14 days to 24 hours) Show less

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Reported to: Senior Director, Development | Annual revenue goal: $2M | Pipeline: $3M (weighted)Oversaw the full cycle of fundraising from prospect research to signed agreement. Partnered with Policy and Healthcare teams to develop and submit compelling concept notes and proposals for national and regional funders to meet surging demand during Covid-19. ▶ Secured more than $1M for projects addressing benefits access and the social determinants of health (SDOH) ▶ Conducted… Show more Reported to: Senior Director, Development | Annual revenue goal: $2M | Pipeline: $3M (weighted)Oversaw the full cycle of fundraising from prospect research to signed agreement. Partnered with Policy and Healthcare teams to develop and submit compelling concept notes and proposals for national and regional funders to meet surging demand during Covid-19. ▶ Secured more than $1M for projects addressing benefits access and the social determinants of health (SDOH) ▶ Conducted philanthropic market assessment to identify potential funders in key markets▶ Created organizational Covid-19 response archive under direction of CEO Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Washington Improv Theater stages innovative and dynamic longform improv for over 20,000 audience members each year and ignites the spirit of play in Washington with a revolutionary training program.▶ Facilitated improv-based workplace trainings through WIT@Work▶ Taught skills of performance and creative collaboration to classes of 12-15 adults▶ Co-directed full-length improvised play, In Lieu of Flowers, with guests including Alexandra Petri (Washington Post) and Dan Silverman… Show more Washington Improv Theater stages innovative and dynamic longform improv for over 20,000 audience members each year and ignites the spirit of play in Washington with a revolutionary training program.▶ Facilitated improv-based workplace trainings through WIT@Work▶ Taught skills of performance and creative collaboration to classes of 12-15 adults▶ Co-directed full-length improvised play, In Lieu of Flowers, with guests including Alexandra Petri (Washington Post) and Dan Silverman (PoPville)▶ Performed regularly at WIT | Featured performer in venues such as the Kennedy Center Page to Stage Festival, San Diego Improv Festival, and District Improv Fest▶ Completed 18-month training in character, scene work, games, and popular formats Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Reported to: Chief Program Officer / Chief Executive Officer | Budget: $2M/year | Direct report: Associate Director, Hunger Initiatives; consultants (1-3)Built out and oversaw first-ever national program focused on increasing the enrollment of older adults into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps), a federal food assistance program worth an average of $1,416/year for older adults with low income. Cultivated new strategic partnerships with USDA Food and… Show more Reported to: Chief Program Officer / Chief Executive Officer | Budget: $2M/year | Direct report: Associate Director, Hunger Initiatives; consultants (1-3)Built out and oversaw first-ever national program focused on increasing the enrollment of older adults into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps), a federal food assistance program worth an average of $1,416/year for older adults with low income. Cultivated new strategic partnerships with USDA Food and Nutrition Service, state human services agencies, grantee organizations, and national anti-hunger, aging, and benefits access organizations and funders. Collaborated with executive leadership to set strategic direction.▶ Raised $12M in philanthropic support and regranted $6M to more than 30 nonprofits and government agencies through multiple competitive RFPs▶ Scaled pilot project into a national initiative resulting in 2.5M older adults and caregivers gaining access to an estimated $1.04B in SNAP benefits, contributing to a 15-point increase in program participation by older adults during this time period▶ Guided design and launch of organization’s first-ever digital marketing campaign, resulting in more than 2M older adults accessing SNAP applications▶ Invited to speak at the National Academy of Medicine, National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, American Public Health Association Annual Convening, and other national and regional conferences▶ Co-convened national summit of aging and anti-hunger advocates, funders, and researchers▶ Advocated for pro-consumer SNAP policies with state and federal agencies ▶ Oversaw publication of nationally recognized reports on best practices to enroll older adults in SNAP and policy strategies to optimize senior SNAP participation Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Reported to: Senior Vice President of Economic Security / Director, Center for Benefits Access Developed organizational strategy to leverage federal and private funding to address the low participation of older adults in SNAP.▶ Led six-fold increase in funding for SNAP-related initiatives over two years, building a $2M+ multi-state portfolio of projects to to improve benefits access and information through stakeholder engagement, targeted policy and systems change, extensive… Show more Reported to: Senior Vice President of Economic Security / Director, Center for Benefits Access Developed organizational strategy to leverage federal and private funding to address the low participation of older adults in SNAP.▶ Led six-fold increase in funding for SNAP-related initiatives over two years, building a $2M+ multi-state portfolio of projects to to improve benefits access and information through stakeholder engagement, targeted policy and systems change, extensive technical assistance, outreach materials, and online screening tools▶ Designed and co-created digital experience in Salesforce for funding proposals, budgets, and monthly reports to be submitted and reviewed▶ Convened aging and anti-hunger organizations at national and state levels to develop and implement strategies to increase SNAP awareness and participation ▶ Spoke on the impact of senior hunger at a Congressional briefing (September 2012)▶ Communicated best practices and policy recommendations through national webinars, conference presentations, and SNAPshots, a popular series of fact sheets Show less

St. Paul, Minnesota

Researched federal policy and drafted memos for staff. Identified contacts in the business community for strategic outreach. Represented the Senate office at local events. Responded to constituent inquiries.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Conducted research and editorial assistance in support of Prof. Sally Kenney’s book, "Gender & Justice: Why Women in the Judiciary Really Matter" (Routledge, 2013). Collected and analyzed statewide healthcare access data for legislative briefings. Maintained social media for a successful multi-state advocacy effort to appoint women judges to the Eighth Circuit.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Tracked federal legislation on work and family policy for national advocacy campaigns. Recruited and organized grassroots partners for a national paid sick days campaign. Researched and wrote fact sheets.

Chicago, Il

Advocated for over 100 English- and Spanish-speaking clients claiming “lost” pensions. Researched private companies, government agencies, unions, pensions, and fiduciary agents using public records, financial statements, and direct inquiry. Developed working knowledge of ERISA, state pensions, and 401(k) and 403(b) plans. Recruited pro bono attorneys to donate over 300 hours of legal services.

Chicago, Il

Coordinated 6 staff and 30 volunteer ombudsmen providing advocacy for long-term care residents in suburban Cook County. Implemented new procedures for volunteer recruitment, training, and reporting. Tripled number of active volunteers. Earned Long-Term Care Ombudsman certification from the State of Illinois.

Chicago, Il

Advocated for elderly clients in conflicts with landlords, contractors, and government agencies. Developed working knowledge of civil law, public housing, consumer rights, elder abuse, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

Ba With Honors, English Language And Literature And Gender And Women'S Studies

Activities and Societies: Residential Student Advisor. Volleyball. Track and Field. Grinnell-in-London. Phi Beta Kappa.

Mpp, Master'S In Public Policy

Activities and Societies: Concentration in women and public policy and U.S. social policy. Research Assistant at the Center on Women.