Though she began her career in the museum field, focusing on guest relations, membership and volunteer management, Laura Richardson Bright now serves as senior development manager for the American Cancer Society. Working in the world of nonprofit development and fundraising events wasn’t a planned career pivot.

“I never expected to work in the nonprofit field when I was in school imagining a career,” she says. “Now that I’ve worked for a wide range of small, medium and national organizations, I’ve learned that if it’s a mission and group of people that I am passionate about and respect, the work is not only fulfilling, but falls easily into place.”

Part of Bright’s duties include overseeing local Relay For Life efforts, Real Men Wear Pink advocacy campaigns and the Lee County Cattle Baron’s Ball. She is the vice president of Young Professionals of Naples, active in the Junior League of Fort Myers and is the national alumnae committee chairman for Kappa Alpha Theta. Bright and her husband are also licensed foster parents and they also foster dogs with Gulf Coast Humane Society.

What are your future aspirations?

In the future, I’d love to lead and grow an organization as I’ve found that my passion is in developing people as well as their portfolios.