I have the privilege of introducing Lauren Dougall as RI’s new CEO!
Lauren is a non-profit professional specializing in fund development, social enterprise, program development and strategic planning. Lauren has more than 10 years of experience working with small to medium-sized organizations that are primed for growth. She has a passion for organizations working with underserved/under-employed populations due to homelessness, criminal records, and mental health issues as well as organizations that utilize the transformational power of the human-animal bond for the greater good.
She is a certified Offender Workforce Development Specialist; Reentry Specialist; and has worked at a leading reentry organization in Nashville as a Business Development Specialist, developing leads and securing contracts with local businesses to employ formerly incarcerated individuals through an in-house social enterprise staffing agency accounting for 25 percent of the organizational budget.
In addition to her experience working within revenue-generating social enterprises, Lauren has focused the majority of her work experience on fund development and holds a diploma in Fundraising Management from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Lauren has experience in grant writing – writing and obtaining grants of over $1m — fundraising events; individual giving and major donor fundraising.
Lauren holds on a bachelor’s degree in Development and International Relations from London Metropolitan University and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Public Service Management from Cumberland University. She lives in Madison with her husband, Stuart, and a menagerie of pets (two cats and two pups), and enjoys hiking, painting, and great food.
We are excited for Lauren’s vision and experience as we move forward with our mission of Love, Dignity and Change.
Peace and Blessings to All,
Andy Charron
Board Chair – Retrieving Independence