Staff Profile: Lauren Rubin

Lauren Rubin joined PBRC in 2024. As PBRC's Chief Advancement Officer, Lauren leads the progression and expansion of the organization’s fundraising efforts. Prior to joining PBRC, Lauren worked as Director of Development at St. Francis Neighborhood Center.

Where did you grow up?
I’m a proud Baltimore native and alumna of The Park School of Baltimore. Though I spent years studying and working elsewhere—from the Hudson River Valley and New York City to Rwanda and Kenya—my heart has always belonged to Baltimore. No matter how far I traveled, I knew I’d return to this city I love to continue my mission: uplifting historically marginalized communities and practicing Tikkun Olam, the Jewish principle of repairing the world.

What brought you to Maryland/Baltimore?
Baltimore isn’t just where I grew up—it’s the place that shaped me. After working abroad with NGOs and completing graduate school in New York, I felt called home. The city’s resilience, creativity, and sense of community inspire me daily. I came back to be part of its healing and growth.

Where did you go to school and what was your major/focus?
I earned my BA in Economics from Vassar College, where I also minored in French and Mathematics. I was inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society, and received the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Prize for best written work in Economics. I then pursued a Master of International Affairs at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), with a focus on Economic and Political Development and a regional specialization in Africa. My academic path has always centered on one question: how can capital and policy be harnessed to serve vulnerable communities and the public good?

What are your interests/hobbies outside of PBRC?
I’m a painter—my art is rooted in chronic illness, surrealism, and emotional interior worlds. You can see more at www.laurenrubinart.com. I also love reading (nonfiction, medical journals, history—anything I can learn from), swimming when my health allows, and digging through art history and music archives. My husband and I were both college radio DJs, so music has always been part of our story.

How did you get involved with PBRC?
When a recruiter reached out about a Chief Advancement Officer position at PBRC, I was immediately intrigued. My whole life, people have told me I should have been a lawyer—and while I took a different path, I’ve always been deeply drawn to the law, especially human rights law. I feel incredibly lucky to work alongside so many brilliant legal minds and to help advance the mission of access to justice in Maryland.

What were you doing prior to working here?
Before PBRC, I served as Director of Development at St. Francis Neighborhood Center, one of Baltimore’s oldest youth empowerment organizations. I’ve also worked in cybersecurity, and spent several years in Rwanda and Kenya leading community-based development initiatives. In Rwanda, I focused primarily on education policy; in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, I helped set up rural health clinics and worked on health policy. I also fundraised across continents to ensure children at a Rwandan orphanage had shoes and an outdoor cooking setup to reduce disease. That time continues to shape my approach to justice, equity, and leadership.

What do you do at PBRC?
I lead all development and fundraising strategy to support PBRC’s long-term growth and sustainability. I manage our incredible development team and collaborate with our Communications Manager, Nataly Karimi, to shape external communications. My work spans grant writing and management, major gifts, campaign design, sponsorships, special events (including our 35th Anniversary Gala), and donor engagement. I also handle backend data analysis to inform strategy and make sure we’re telling our story clearly and impactfully.

What is your proudest accomplishment?
I’m most proud of my work in Rwanda and Kenya—particularly helping set up rural health clinics in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley and working on national education policy in Rwanda. I also helped fundraise across continents to ensure children in a Rwandan orphanage had shoes and an outdoor cooking setup to reduce the spread of disease. That time profoundly influenced how I lead, how I listen, and how I approach my work in Baltimore and beyond.

What is a quote that inspires you?
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” — Anne Frank.
To me, generosity—of time, of spirit, of resources—isn’t just virtuous, it’s powerful. I’ve seen firsthand how giving changes lives, builds community, and restores dignity. That belief is what drives me, every single day.

What has been your most meaningful experience with PBRC?
Visiting our team in the field—whether witnessing day-of-court representation through our Courtroom Advocacy Project or attending a Home Preservation Project clinic—is always deeply moving. Watching our attorneys and volunteers stand beside Marylanders in real time, providing critical legal help, reminds me exactly why we must support this work with everything we’ve got.

What developments within PBRC have you found most exciting or promising during your time?
It’s been incredibly inspiring to watch the donor and volunteer community grow around our mission. The way Maryland’s legal community continues to show up—offering time, resources, and passion to make justice accessible—is a testament to what makes PBRC so special.

What do you appreciate about PBRC’s mission?
Championing equitable access to justice is essential—especially now, in the face of growing legal, political, and economic challenges. PBRC’s mission keeps us rooted in service, community, and the belief that no one should face a life-altering legal issue alone.

What do you find unique or distinctive about PBRC within Maryland’s legal landscape?
PBRC’s collaborative, community-driven model sets us apart. Not only do we provide direct legal services, but we also place pro bono volunteers with other legal service providers across the state. We listen to what Marylanders tell us they need and respond accordingly, rather than prescribing solutions from the top down. That responsive, evolving model is rare—and powerful.

What message would you give to people thinking about volunteering with PBRC?
Start by subscribing to our newsletter. See the stories. Meet the people. Witness the impact. I think you’ll be inspired—maybe even called—to become part of this movement. Whether you’re an attorney, a donor, or someone who just cares deeply about justice, there’s a place for you at PBRC.