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Laurie Gray and Michelle Sklar to Join Jesuits West Advancement Team

By Lorina

January 28, 2020 — Jesuits West Province is pleased to announce that two veteran fundraisers are joining the Province staff. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Jesuits West Province represents the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and its many ministries in the 10-western states of the U.S.

Laurie Gray, who will be based in Portland, has been appointed Senior Philanthropy Officer, Northwest. A fundraising professional for nearly two decades, Gray has led successful major gift programs for several nonprofit and non-governmental organizations. She most recently served as Chief Development Officer for Catholic Charities of Oregon and previously served as Director of Development for the Business and Society Program for The Aspen Institute. As the Senior Director of Development for Mercy Corps, an international, humanitarian aid organization, she built and cultivated the California major gift portfolio and raised more than $26 million during her six-year tenure. Gray begins her new role on February 3.

Michelle Sklar, who will be based in Los Gatos, California, has been appointed Senior Philanthropy Officer for the San Francisco Bay Area. Sklar also brings nearly two decades of frontline fundraising experience to her new role with Jesuits West Province. For the past seven and a half years, she has served at the Jesuits’ University of San Francisco. Most recently, she was the Assistant Dean of Development and External Relations, School of Law, where she and her team set the school’s fundraising record last year. Prior to that, Sklar served as Associate Vice President of Donor Engagement and Communications at USF and managed a portfolio of the University’s top donors. Prior roles include leadership positions at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank and St. Nicholas Parish and School. Sklar begins her new role on February 10.

The Province’s fundraising efforts support the formation (academic and additional training) of Jesuit priests and brothers and care for senior and infirmed Jesuits, among other needs of the Province.