Biography
Colleen LaFontaine has over twenty years of development and management experience. She is the Co-Founder of Present Purpose Network, a women’s collaborative philanthropic organisation. Present Purpose funds women-led grassroots groups working with young women impacted by poverty, violence and inequality. Colleen was the first Executive Director of One World Children's Fund, in San Francisco. One World raises funds and awareness for innovative programs providing basic necessities to children. Prior to One World, Colleen was the Director of Fundraising for Sparks, a UK non-profit focused on paediatric and maternal medical research. Her first role in non-profit was as the Managing Director of Step Up Women’s Network. She managed the National, Los Angeles, and New York chapters of this organisation dedicated to igniting women and girls to fulfil their potential through innovative programming and partnerships. Preceding her move into non-profit Colleen held senior management roles with start-up and media companies. She holds a BA from Rutgers University and an MSc in Population and Development from The London School of Economics. Colleen currently lives in San Francisco, California.