Laura Biersmith is a development and marketing specialist with more than 20 years experience in the non-profit sector. Her background is extensive in both development and marketing activities, recognizing that both are vital for the long-term success of any organization. Her career has been in the health and human services as well as conservation fields. Her activities have included all aspects of development work, with a strong emphasis on major gifts development, membership programming, planned giving, corporate sponsorship, marketing and communications, proposal writing, grant procurement and capital campaigns.

Prior to establishing Biersmith Associates in August of 2002, Laura was Director of Major & Planned Gifts and Vice President of Development & Communications at Heritage Conservancy in Doylestown, PA. In that capacity, she managed staff and resources on a variety of development and marketing projects including planning and implementing the Lasting Landscape Initiative, a three-year $15 million land conservation and historic preservation project, and establishing the organizations planned giving program. In addition, Laura managed the organizations John A. Diemand Jr. Memorial Preservation Fund, a $1 million endowment campaign and raised $300,000 in the Conservancys Courtyard Restoration Project, a major gifts effort. Laura also managed the organizations membership program, which included more than 1200 members with a retention rate of 97%. Laura developed a comprehensive marketing package which included educational materials, outreach services and media relations.

Laura's experience also includes establishing the North Shore Medical Centers Physician Relations Program in Miami, FL, a successful initiative aimed at strengthening communications between medical staff and hospital administration. She also managed the American Heart Association of Miamis most successful Heart Ball Gala, raising over $350,000. As Director of Development & Marketing at the American Lung Association of Nassau-Suffolk in Hauppauge, NY, she established a corporate underwriting campaign which generated more than $200,000 annually for the local chapter. As Telethon Director, Laura also successfully coordinated the Long Island March of Dimes Annual Telethon, recruiting more than 400 volunteers and locally raising in excess of $150,000.

Laura has a bachelors degree in marketing and public relations from the University of Delaware. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and a member of the Harvest Advisers Planned Giving Focus Group.

Back to Administrative Staff