Lauren E. Scott

Executive Director

Lauren Scott joined the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund as Executive Director in February 2018. She is an experienced nonprofit professional and board leader with skills in model/program development and implementation, governance, strategic planning, grants development, and evaluation. She has 20 years’ experience in community engagement and advocacy through coalition-building, strategy development, and community/macro-level practice across institutions. Her approach is rooted in a systems-change framework, which includes building and navigating complex relationships and institutions, managing conflict, and achieving consensus.

As part of her work at the HEKF, she served as a co-designer and the inaugural board chair of Vision Galveston, a collective impact organization. In 2023, she was recognized for her leadership through the first “Visioneer Award” by Vision Galveston.

Prior to joining the Fund, Lauren served as Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch and as a program director for community engagement for academic research centers. She began her career in grants development and worked as Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives at a national public education nonprofit where she also provided technical assistance and development support to a national network of nonprofit subsidiaries.  Lauren received her Master of Social Work from University of Houston and her Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas Lutheran University.

Lauren is deeply passionate about connecting people, ideas, and opportunities to collectively tackle problems and identify solutions in service of people and the Galveston community.  A passionate IBC, she is energized by creative organizational and systems work towards improving the health and vitality of the community she and her family call home.