Executive leader · Community builder · Change maker
Mission-driven executive with more than 20 years of experience building trusted institutions, strengthening creative communities, and guiding innovation that expands pathways to meaningful, sustainable careers.
Strengthening connections that create lasting change.
Expanding access and opening doors for underserved talent.
Scaling mission-driven organizations that transform lives.
Laura Segura is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive whose career spans the creative economy, music, entertainment, philanthropy, advocacy, and community development.
Throughout her career, Laura has worked from a central belief: creative people deserve the opportunity to build meaningful, sustainable careers. Her leadership strengthens the human foundations that allow creativity to flourish—including community, education, mentorship, professional networks, economic opportunity, and systems of care.
She is equally focused on the future: how innovation and emerging technology, including AI, can expand opportunity, strengthen institutions, and serve communities when guided by human-centered values. Laura brings empathy and strategy together, helping organizations embrace progress while building trust, inclusion, and shared benefit.
She builds organizations around the conviction that meaningful change happens when people have the relationships, tools, resources, and opportunity to move forward together. Across more than two decades, Laura has led large teams and budgets, guided national boards, generated eight-figure revenue, shaped public policy, produced major televised events, designed programs, and stewarded grants that strengthen careers and lives.
Leadership measured in lives changed
At MusiCares, Laura led a 38-person grantmaking and human-services organization with a $20 million operating budget, $25 million endowment, five-person leadership team, and 20-member governing board. She created and executed the organization’s first strategic plan, expanded programs by more than 200%, increased revenue by 180%, doubled staff and services, added $8 million to the operating budget, and grew the endowment by $6 million.
Laura directed approximately $10 million annually in grants, direct assistance, and more than 300 health, recovery, relief, career, and preventive-care programs and services. She led the two largest relief efforts in organizational history: more than $37.5 million distributed to over 47,000 people, and the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, which raised and distributed more than $26 million to affected individuals and Los Angeles nonprofit organizations. She also led Person of the Year—music’s largest charitable GRAMMY Week gala—raising more than $10 million annually and convening approximately 2,700 artists, executives, donors, and industry leaders; and founded The Day That Music Cares, mobilizing more than 4,000 volunteers.
Executive leadership across the organizations shaping the creative economy, music, entertainment, philanthropy, and culture.
Explore the Visual Career MapSenior Vice President, Entertainment Industry Foundation & Executive Director, She Is The Music
Leads a global workforce and career-development organization from Los Angeles, partnering with founders Alicia Keys, Jody Gerson, Ann Mincieli, and Sam Kirby Yoh. Sets strategy and operating priorities across mentorship, education, research, community, partnerships, revenue development, and career access for women across the music industry.
Executive Director
Led the Recording Academy’s national health and human-services charity through transformational growth, overseeing 38 employees, a $20 million operating budget, $25 million endowment, and 20-member governing board. Expanded programs by more than 200%, increased revenue by 180%, doubled staff and services, and directed approximately $10 million annually in grants, assistance, and services.
Vice President, Membership & Industry Relations
Led national membership, governance, advocacy, field operations, and career development serving 25,000 music professionals. Directed a 64-person team, $9 million budget, 15 chapter and field teams, and engagement with 370 elected Trustees and Governors; built more than 250 annual professional-development programs and co-led advocacy for the Music Modernization Act.
Senior Director, Alliances
Led major-gift alliances and donor-community engagement for a global innovation and prize philanthropy, closing more than $45 million in commitments while stewarding trustees, major funders, and a global network of partners.
Director, Annual Giving & Community Development
Led annual giving, community development, and industry relationships for Los Angeles’ independent film organization, generating more than $4 million annually while expanding professional networks and career-building access for emerging filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs.
Marketing Leadership
Built an early foundation in national marketing programs, communications, entrepreneurship, and strategic relationship development.
Laura's work brings together the disciplines required to turn purpose into sustainable, measurable progress.
Education & service
Traditional résumé
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Selected work & moments
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VideoDeep RelationshipsYouTube ↗PhotoShe Is The MusicGetty Images ↗
VideoCommunity SpotlightYouTube ↗PhotoPublic SpeakingGetty Images ↗VideoNational News Helping L.A.Fox News ↗
VideoResources for Underserved CommunitiesYouTube ↗
VideoSafety Net in Times of NeedYouTube ↗
VideoCelebrating LegacyYouTube ↗PhotoOn the CarpetGetty Images ↗PhotoHonored by the CommunityInstagram ↗
VideoHistory-Making MomentsYouTube ↗PhotoOn the CarpetGetty Images ↗PhotoFrom Stages to Behind the ScenesGetty Images ↗
VideoNamed a Best Concert of 2025YouTube ↗PhotoOn the CarpetGetty Images ↗Connect
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