Mote welcomes new Foundation Relations Officer
Written by: Elsbeth Waskom
Mote Marine Laboratory is excited to welcome Laura Shoemaker as its new Foundation Relations Officer.
As the newest member of Mote’s Development team, Shoemaker will assist in advancing Mote’s corporate and foundation relations to support current and future philanthropic goals. Working closely with the Director of Foundation Relations, she will help to establish a more formal program to build and maintain relationships with corporations and foundations, expanding relevant outreach at the local, regional and national level.
Shoemaker moved from Seattle, Washington, to Sarasota, Florida, about two years ago with her two children and husband. She is eager to explore new opportunities in Florida and at Mote, working with the Development team to further advance her professional skills.
Previously she worked with other nonprofits such as IDRI, a nonprofit global health research institute, and Hugo House, a center for creative writing and the literary arts, both in Seattle. She feels most fulfilled at mission-driven organizations - one reason she is excited to work at Mote, which emphasizes today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans.
Shoemaker earned her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where she graduated magna cum laude. In addition, she earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Washington. Recently, she worked as an instructor at State College of Florida in the Language and Literature Department.
Q&A with Shoemaker
How did you hear about Mote Marine Laboratory?
A friend told me I should visit Mote Aquarium, mainly for the kids, and we did. We quickly became members and have visited the Aquarium frequently as a family. It has always been in the back of my mind that this is the type of place I would want to work. Last fall I decided to check the jobs listings and that was the beginning of this relationship and new adventure.
What inspired you to go into the development field?
I am a poet at heart. After graduate school, I was lucky to find myself working for a mission-driven organization that gave me the chance to combine my writing skills with my passion for doing something good in the world.
What made you interested in working as the Foundations Relations Officer for Mote Marine Laboratory?
While the Aquarium is an amazing place to visit, I was drawn to the research and all of the work that is conducted through Mote Marine Laboratory. The true mission of this Lab was something I wanted to get behind and support. I feel passionate about working to make a difference whether it is through solving problems with global health, or supporting writers like I did at Hugo House, or now getting to support research for Mote to help create sustainable uses of our marine resources. I can really get behind what this organization is all about.