Laura McBride joined the Trust in 2017, bringing extensive experience developing partnerships and relationships within Arizona’s nonprofit community. Most recently, she was the senior corporate giving specialist for Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest utility, where she managed the annual philanthropic budget for Maricopa County and handled all aspects of the grantmaking process. Prior to APS, McBride had a 32-year career as a reporter, editor, community relations manager and editorial writer for The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette. In her community role, she represented the newspaper on nonprofit boards, oversaw the annual Season for Sharing giving program and Gannett Foundation grants, and administered funding for the Arizona Child Abuse Prevention License Plate program and Walk to End Domestic Violence. A native Phoenician, McBride earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Arizona State University. She is a graduate of Valley Leadership Class XXV and Leadership West Class III, and serves on the advisory board for Read On Arizona.

In her position at the Trust, McBride is responsible for reviewing grant proposals, meeting with potential grantees, conducting site visits and monitoring and evaluating proposals. Additionally, she manages the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program at Arizona State University.