All PLoS People CEO Finance/Adminstration Team Strategic Alliances/Development IT/Web Team Publishing Management Marketing Team Production Team PLoS Biology Team PLoS Medicine Team PLoS Community Journals Team PLoS ONE Team Strategic Alliances/Development Team

Laura L. Leale

Director of Development

PLoS' mission of accelerating scientific discovery through the Open Access movement, as well as the challenge of creating an international, diversified fundraising program, attracted Brooklyn-born Laura to join in September 2008 to lead PLoS Development and Fundraising efforts. She brings with her more than 25 years of professional non-profit experience in development and marketing, most recently creating the development programs at the Alliance for Lupus Research and EngenderHealth. Prior to that, Laura served in a variety of roles at United Cerebral Palsy. She kicked off her nonprofit career with the New York Road Runners Club, serving as New York City Marathon Associate Coordinator, as well as creating the women's running program, growing corporate sponsorships, and leading the grassroots benefit event program. She guest-teaches fundraising at the New School graduate program in international affairs. For fun, vanity and sanity, Laura splits her free time running loops around New York City’s Central Park and up and down San Francisco's Embarcadero, or wherever. She refuels with her favorites: sushi and California reds.

Donna Okubo

Institutional Relations Manager

Donna Okubo brings more than 15 years of non-profit membership and fundraising management experience. Donna began her career at KQED television station in San Francisco where she assisted in the coordination of a $9 million Capital Campaign. She worked with the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), which is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization with more than 24,000 members and 112 chapters. Donna also worked at the Tech Museum of Innovation where she increased their membership base by creating new benefits, incentives, and member events. She is very active in the Asian American community and serves as a program advisor for the San Mateo Library cultural diversity project, CSUMB Obata Mural Campaign, and Monterey JACL Historic Preservation program.