Laura Padron leads FIU’s major gift officers across Academics, Athletics and Student Affairs, including the newly created Development Office for Student Success. Laura returned to FIU in 2012 after five-years at University of Miami's School of Business, where she served as Assistant Dean for Development, spearheading the School’s role in the University's $1.6B campaign. Laura’s previous roles at FIU included senior director for donor relations and stewardship, establishing the institution’s first Stewardship Office of programs and services for engaging donor giving experiences, including the 2005 Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Gold Award-winning Torch Society and its philanthropic commencement recognition program. Before academia, Laura was chief operating officer for programs, including the prestigious Presidential Scholars in the Arts, at the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Laura is a graduate of Florida State University and a former president-elect and board member of Miami's Association of Fundraising Professionals.