The Rotary Foundation

Laurie Menzel is a Major Gifts Officer for The Rotary Foundation, Zone 33. Laurie’s area of responsibility includes Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, and part of Tennessee. Laurie works from her home office in Alexandria, Virginia and travels throughout the area to meet individually with donors. 

Laurie comes to Rotary after three years with Girl Scouts’ Nation’s Capital, the largest Girl Scout Council in the U.S., where she was a key member of their major gifts team. In addition to securing major gifts, she chaired their Planned Giving Outreach Committee, which worked closely with volunteers to identify and cultivate potential planned gifts from their peer members; created major donor recognition events; and trained their board members on fundraising. 

Prior to moving to the Washington DC area, she spent 13 years in Stuttgart, Germany through her husband’s career in the Air Force. While overseas she continued to operate her Jazzercise Franchise and worked with numerous nonprofits in a variety of positions. This provided her with the opportunity to not only build her business skills but to gain experience in leadership, volunteer management, and fundraising. These experiences give her a strong focus on volunteer and team-based approaches to working with donors, all with the goal of meeting the donors’ philanthropic priorities. 

Laurie earned a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. She is a Rotarian (West Springfield, VA club) and remains active with local community service projects. Additionally, she serves as an advisor for her sorority, Chi Omega, at George Mason University and as a Development Consultant for the Girl Scouts USA Overseas Council of Advisors. She is looking forward to working together for The Rotary Foundation. She can be reached at: laurie.menzel@rotary.org or 847-425-5601