Laurie Black, past president of the Downtown San Diego Partnership, is well known as a keen and prolific producer of new and innovative ideas.  She is a proactive manager who has the experience and confidence to lead.  She brings to a project the maturity; leadership, courage, integrity, good judgment and critical insight necessary for the development of a focused mission and strategic plan.

Ms. Black has been a part of the political and business landscape in San Diego for over twenty years.  The greater part of her career has been spent working for local, state and federal candidates for elective office.  From 1986 to 1991 she operated her first business, which included political fundraising, issue development, press relations and implementation of campaign strategies.  Ms. Black served as Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Lynn Schenk wherein she managed the budget and staff, and assisted in developing the Congress member's legislative and political agenda.  She also served as chief liaison to all government agencies, state and local officials, and local business and community groups.  Other activities included organizing congressional field hearings and town hall meetings with administration officials.  Prior to that, Ms. Black worked for Four Square Productions wherein she produced company videos and commercials. She simultaneously served as the public relations contact for a major motion picture produced in San Diego.

Laurie was a Commissioner at the San Diego Port District from 2007-2009.  She was on the Board of Overseers at the University of California at San Diego and was past co-chair of the LEAD San Diego Leadership Trust.  Ms. Black was an Ambassador for Higher Education in 2001 at San Diego State University and was chosen to help establish Partners for K-12 School Reform with San Diego Dialogue.  She served on the San Diego City Library Commission for five years and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board for four years.  She also served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego City College Foundation as well as the Community College Advisory Board for SDCC.  Laurie was also a member of the Budget, Finance and Nominating Committees of the San Diego Opera as well as a member of the Board of Directors at Congregation Beth Israel.  She helped with the expansion efforts of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and has participated on the Women's Studies Community Advisory Committee at SDSU.

Additionally, Laurie served on the award selection committee for the San Diego Association of Fundraising Professionals 2004 National Philanthropy Day as well as the Lead San Diego selection committee for their annual awards.  She was a co-chairperson for the Annual Networking Luncheon hosted in 2001 by the California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research.  She also chaired the Judge Learned Hand Award Dinner given by the American Jewish Committee in 2000 and was a nominee for San Diego Dialogue Creating Livable Communities: A Celebration Of Civic Excellence 2000.  She served as an honorary chairperson for the 1998 Annual Auction/Celebrity Event given by the Institute for Arts Education and served as a judge for both the Bank of America's Innovation Awards and the San Diego Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business Awards.

Ms. Black has given many presentations and speeches and is well known for her advocacy on mental illness and has presented her ideas on mitigating homelessness at the International Downtown Association's Annual Conference as well as other national conferences.  She has been invited to speak at functions by Francis Parker School, the U.S. International University, the San Diego Chapter National Association of Women Business Owners, the San Diego World Trade Center, the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County, the County of San Diego CIA, the Citizens Coordinate for Century 3, and the San Diego Repertory Theatre.

Laurie has been recognized within the community for her civic-mindedness.  The Salvation Army named her one of the 10 Women of Dedication in 2002.  The Downtown San Diego Partnership honored her with an Alonzo Award in 2001 for her vision in creating the Clean & Safe program, which has contributed significantly to the improvement and growth of downtown San Diego.  The Athena/UCSD Connect program presented her with a Pinnacle Award for her contribution to the San Diego business community.  In 1999, the YWCA selected her for the TWIN Award for Women in Industry and the San Diego Magazine listed her as one of "50 People to Watch".  Last year, Laurie received a leadership visionary award, Quality of Living, from LEAD for all her community activities that relate to the quality of life in San Diego, her leadership and her vision.

Ms. Black is a graduate of the CORO Summer Program and LEAD San Diego.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Women's Studies from San Diego State University.  Her hobbies include cooking, gardening and reading, playing baseball and football, skiing, playing piano, singing, dancing and running in Presidio Park.

Ms. Black is married to Robert Lawrence, a local attorney and real estate developer, and has assisted him on a number of issues affecting his business and the development industry.  They live on Banker’s Hill with their four children: AJ, Dustin, Seth and Maddie.