Major Gifts, Rotary International, “Make it Simple, Make it Impactful”
Coming next Tuesday, July 14th, Laura Mello, Major Gifts, Rotary International, “Make it Simple, Make it Impactful”
Laura Mello is a 3rd generation San Diegan raised in the suburb of Poway. After graduating business school at the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, Laura started a 14-year career in finance.
She spent nearly 10 years with a large commercial bank working in private wealth management and financial advising. In 2009 Laura started her own 501c3, Oasis Haven, a US organization with a passion for the orphan crisis in South Africa. Through a Rotary connection she took a job as a financial advisor and planner with a private investment firm.
However, three years later Laura had the opportunity to combine her passion for philanthropy with her knowledge and skill set of financial planning as the Director of Gift Planning for Rady Children’s Hospital. Laura’s passion is working with individuals and families to think about their charitable planning through a strategic lens, weaving in the values and experiences that make each family unique.
Laura has been a member of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club for 14 years holding numerous leadership positions including Club President. In June of 2023 with the guidance of PDG Chuck Pretto, Laura left Rady Children’s and accepted a full-time position with Rotary International as a Regional Major Gift Officer working with Rotarians throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Hawaii. She currently resides in San Diego with her firefighter husband Rob, and two daughters Grace and Eloise.