5 Things You Didn't Know About Laura Sears: Co-Founder & Development Director, Vida Verde Nature Education

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We have had the privilege of working with Vida Verde for a number of years now, and continue to be impressed by their commitment to equity in education and teaching the next generation about nature and sustainability. Laura Sears is Vida Verde's dynamic co-founder, and a PaperSeed Champion through and through.

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Name: Laura Sears         

Organization: Vida Verde

Title: Co-Founder and Development Director

1. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?

I’ve always been passionate about equity. Since 2001, my professional focus has been on providing equitable experiences for students in the outdoors. I believe strongly that a thoughtful, well-designed and passionately executed outdoor program can be life-changing for young people, and in particular for those who do not have the opportunity to experience the outdoors on a regular basis.

I also love music and coffee!

2. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU AREN'T WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING?

I love trail running with friends in the nearby redwood forests on the weekends, and I really enjoy knitting when I’m not too tired! I also spend much of my free time with my four year-old son, Casper, and my husband Shawn (Vida Verde’s Executive Director). As a family we like reading, swimming, hiking, camping, and cycling.

3. WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?

Since the founding year of Vida Verde (2001), I’ve deeply admired the work and philosophy of Lynne Twist. She’s been recognized as a “global visionary committed to alleviating poverty, ending world hunger and supporting social justice and environmental sustainability.”

For me personally, I’ve learned from Lynne that social profit organizations like Vida Verde can cultivate deep, healthy relationships with money, and that we have the power to create an environment and culture at our organization where fundraising is an act of love rather than a burden. We’ve espoused this vision from the early days of Vida Verde, and it truly has made our fundraising joyful, exciting, gratifying, and deeply personal.

4. WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE REALLY GOOD AT?

I think I’m pretty good at putting my thoughts and ideas into words. This has been very helpful with all the grant writing and donor communication I do! I also consider myself a good friend and careful listener.

5. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU HOPE TO LEARN IN THE FUTURE? (LIKE A NEW LANGUAGE, INSTRUMENT, OR SKILL?) I’ve played a number of instruments in my life, and I’d like to go back to the first one I learned, piano, and give it another try.