About
Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), where she teaches courses on philanthropy, leadership, and social innovation. She is also a Lecturer in Public Policy and Education at Stanford University. Since 2001, she has been affiliated with Stanford, founding the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) in 2006 and serving as its Board Chair. She previously founded and led the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2) from 1998-2008.
Her academic and professional roles include:
- Founder and President of the Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen Foundation (LAAF.org)
- Co-President of the Arrillaga Foundation and Co-Founder of the Marc and Laura Andreessen Foundation
- Trustee of the National Gallery of Art and Board Member of the Robin Hood Education + Technology Fund
- Former trustee of multiple institutions including the Hoover Institution and Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Education: Holds five Stanford degrees: MBA (1997), MA in Education (1998), BA and MA in Art History (1992, 1999), plus an honorific from Bing Nursery School.
Research focuses on strategic philanthropy, women’s leadership, and social sector innovation. She pioneered courses like Power of You: Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, Inclusivity, and Leadership. Her work emphasizes data-driven approaches to giving and systemic change.
Key publications include the NYT bestseller Giving 2.0 (2011) and contributions to Frontiers in Social Innovation (2022). She writes frequently for platforms like SSIR and The Washington Post.
Awards include the 2014 Commonwealth Club Distinguished Citizen Award and recognition from the Aspen Institute and Points of Light Foundation. She advises major tech leaders on philanthropy, including Mark Zuckerberg and Brian Chesky.
Her professional networks include roles on boards of education institutions, arts organizations, and social enterprises. She actively collaborates with Stanford’s Social Innovation Initiative and promotes interdisciplinary approaches to social impact.
