The School of Public and International Affairs welcomes Laura Latini to our staff as the new Director of Development. In her role as Director, Latini will serve as the primary liaison between SPIA and the Division of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement (PAE) at the University of Pittsburgh, developing and overseeing all fundraising strategies within the School while reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Individual Giving Schools and Centers.
She joined PAE in 2020 as a major gifts officer for residents and fellows, eventually transitioning to serve as major gifts officer for the University’s Swanson School of Engineering in 2022. In addition to securing numerous major gifts for the University, Laura’s contributions to the Swanson School include developing an inaugural parent engagement event and an Alumni in Residence Program. She is also a proud two-time Pitt alumna, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences in 2007 and Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) from SPIA in 2024. She also holds a second master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Duquesne University.
Latini has over 16 years of fundraising experience, including her time at Pitt, with roles ranging from senior associate director of annual giving at Carnegie Mellon University to development and communications positions at smaller nonprofits including The Kingsley Association and Wesley Family Services.
A fun fact about Laura? Her ties to blue and gold run deep!
“I come from a Pitt family,” she shared. “Both of my parents are Pitt alumni (LAW ’81 and KATZ ’81), and my mom worked for Pitt for 40 years before her retirement in 2023.”
Alumni should keep an eye out for more from Laura as she gets settled into her new role over the summer months. She can be reached via email at lauralatini@pitt.edu or found in her office in the SPIA Dean’s Suite on the 3rd floor of Posvar Hall.