The Skoll Foundation and its Board of Directors are delighted to announce that Maureen Lawrence has joined the Foundation as General Counsel. Maureen comes to us from El Pomar Foundation, one of Colorado’s largest and oldest private foundations, where she served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Regional Partnerships Program Officer.
A seasoned attorney and philanthropic leader, Maureen brings a rare combination of legal acumen, strategic insight, and deep experience in nonprofit governance. At El Pomar, she managed all legal affairs of the $750 million foundation, while also providing leadership for its community-informed grantmaking program, Regional Partnerships. Maureen has overseen a range of governance, compliance, and operational matters and led a 20-year impact review of the Regional Partnerships program, which was recently profiled in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Maureen as our new General Counsel,” said Marla Blow, CEO and President of the Skoll Foundation. “Her thoughtful leadership, strategic perspective, and commitment to mission-driven work will strengthen our organization’s ability to navigate complexity and advance our goals with integrity and impact. Maureen’s experience at the intersection of law, philanthropy, and community engagement makes her an exceptional addition to our team.”
“I am honored to join the Foundation at such an exciting time,” Lawrence said. “I look forward to working alongside the leadership team and staff to advance the Foundation’s mission and ensure our work continues to be grounded in excellence, impact, and service.”
Maureen’s background spans both private practice and philanthropy. She began her legal career as a clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit before practicing commercial litigation at WilmerHale in Washington, DC, and later at Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Philadelphia, where she became a shareholder. A former El Pomar Fellow, Maureen returned to the Foundation in 2019 as an integral member of its executive leadership team.
Maureen earned her bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Marquette University and her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Catholic University Law Review.
Active in civic life, Maureen served on several local boards in Colorado Springs and has spoken at national conferences on governance and the laws applicable to private foundations. She recently relocated to Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and daughter.
Please join us in welcoming Maureen to the Foundation. We are excited for the experience, insight, and perspective she will bring to our work and community.
