Laura M. Edwards

BA 2001, History

Senior Director of Development, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue

Laura manages all annual, major, and planned gift development for a School that raises between $7M-$10M per year, including individual, corporate and industrial engagement as well as all advancement related communications and management of the ME development staff.  Prior to this role, Edwards served as a director of development in the ME School. 

Before joining the ME development operations, Edwards previously served as the Director of Development for WBAA Public Radio from Purdue, where she was responsible for annual and major gift fundraising, marketing, public relations, media sponsorships, management, and events.  Prior to that, she worked with the Tippecanoe Arts Federation, where she planned, promoted, and managed the annual major fundraising event, the Taste of Tippecanoe.  Edwards has also worked for the Lafayette Family YMCA and the Tippecanoe County Historical Association where her duties predominantly were focused on public relations, marketing, and development.  Her experience also includes restaurant management and insurance sales.  

Edwards is active with the Almost Home Humane Society Board of Directors, the Tippecanoe Arts Federation Board of Directors, and serves as Secretary for Meals on Wheels of Tippecanoe County Board of Directors.  She has been involved with the volunteer steering committee for the Feast of the Hunters’ Moon for over 6 years now.  Edwards has developed curriculum for workshops that she facilitates statewide for the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network and throughout the Midwest on development and marketing.  Additionally, she participates with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and has ties with the North Central Advertising Federation of Indiana (NCAFI.)  

Edwards is a recipient of the Greater Lafayette Commerce’s “Top 40 under 40” inaugural young professionals award in 2007 and was named a top young professional in the Discover Lafayette magazine in fall 2009. 

Edwards is a West Lafayette native. In her spare time, she enjoys sports, volunteering, and attending Purdue athletic events with her husband, David.