LAURIE THOMPSON, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Laurie Thompson joined the NADO Research Foundation in December 1998. As Deputy Executive Director, she is responsible for oversight and management of all Research Foundation programs as well as identifying and securing financial resources to assure program delivery and longevity. She currently serves as interim Program Manager for NADO's Economic Development Finance Service. A major responsibility of Thompson is to oversee development of the educational planning components of NADO's annual training conference that convenes about 600 rural development practitioners and policy makers. She also coordinates numerous other workshops and conferences planned by NADO throughout the year.

Thompson has authored, co-authored and edited various reports and manuals, including Regional Development Organizations Make a Difference, eForum Results: The Pulse of Small Town and Rural America, GIS Technology: Enhancing Regional Planning and Development, Federal-State Regional Commissions: Regional Approaches to Local Economic Development, Partnerships for Community-based Economic Development, and Capitalization Strategies for Non-profit Organizations. She has also authored numerous articles for various publications of NADO and other national organizations.

Prior to joining NADO, Ms. Thompson directed a grantmaking program for First Nations Development Institute, a national Native American economic development corporation. She managed the daily operations of the grant department which awarded $1million per year to tribes and Native nonprofits engaged in reservation-based economic development activities. Thompson was also responsible for managing First Nations' annual conference as well as the delivery of all technical assistance provided to grantees and others in Indian Country. Other responsibilities during her seven years with the organization included monitoring various policy issues, writing articles for First Nations' and other publications, coordinating with the development department on various funder related events, and serving as Field Specialist for projects with two reservation-based microenterprise loan funds and an alternative housing finance program. Throughout her tenure with First Nations, Ms. Thompson also developed and conducted various workshops related to program and organizational development.

Other previous experience includes seven years in health care, both administrative and policy oriented, and five years providing training and technical assistance to Native grantees of the Administration on Aging.

Thompson holds a master's degree in health services administration from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in public affairs and government from Mount Vernon College. She was a founding board member of Safe Crossings, a pedestrian safety advocate group, and of the Tina'a Corporation, a revolving loan fund for members of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes in Alaska. She was also a member of the Mount Vernon College Alumni Association Board. Other volunteer commitments included preparing a newsletter for the Boulder County (CO) Hospice, conducting patient intake at the Moss Free Clinic of Fredericksburg (VA), and delivering meals for the Winter Park (FL) Meals on Wheels program.

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