Laura Gleason
Director of Campaign Strategy
Laura Gleason is director of campaign strategy for the Office of Advancement, providing leadership and support for the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future and partnering with museums on strategy and best practices to optimize their philanthropy. Gleason also assists in fundraising for Smithsonian initiatives tied with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Previously, Gleason served as vice president of philanthropy for the Trust for the National Mall, the non-profit partner to the National Park Service. There, she led a $250 million campaign to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall.
Gleason has more than 30 years of experience in campaign management, leadership gift fundraising, board engagement and donor stewardship. This includes 17 years at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, most recently serving as director of advancement leading a $250 million campaign to transform the flagship museum. She also was instrumental in the $311 million campaign to construct the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
She has held many leadership positions in higher education including associate vice president for campaign programs at George Mason University and director of advancement of the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.
Gleason received her bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland at College Park.
