Lauren E. McGowan

My personal and professional experiences have helped shape a relentless drive to fight poverty and a fierce commitment to equity and justice. Throughout my career I have increased access to housing, food, education, and income by leveraging the power and potential of philanthropic, community, and government resources. The health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and our national reckoning with the history of racism that keeps too many BIPOC communities in poverty, require us to accelerate efforts to create a more just and equitable society.

I believe this is the moment for a revolution—not an evolution. One that codifies access to housing, food, healthcare, education and economic justice as human rights. That is why, after 17 incredible years at United Way, I recently left my position to launch Revolution Strategies and pursue new professional opportunities to end poverty and transform our democracy. I want to dream big with people like you to dismantle unjust and racists systems, policies and practices. I hope to leverage my experience designing innovative poverty reduction programs, implementing high-impact grant making efforts, leading cross-functional teams, and developing successful public-private partnerships.

I believe that homelessness and poverty are policy choices that could be eradicated with investments and interventions at the scale of the problems. I am passionate about making government programs more effective, modernizing our SafetyNet, ensuring college students have access to basic needs, leveraging National Service, and strengthening our democracy.

On a personal note, I live in Seattle, WA with my amazing partner Mike in a tiny apartment filled with books, records, and a few plants that Mike takes care of. I love travel, politics, theater, red wine, and endless laughs with good friends. My super powers include sleeping on planes and finding incredible airbnb’s. I grew up in West Haven, the Best Haven, CT and believe New Haven pizza is the best of the best. ~L