Lauren Hayden

Lauren Hayden is the major gifts manager at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), where she develops and strengthens relationships with donors to secure philanthropic commitments that advance CDP’s mission, strategic priorities, educational initiatives and innovative programs.   

With more than 10 years of fundraising experience, Lauren has built a career centered on connecting donors with opportunities to create meaningful impact. Prior to joining CDP, she held fundraising roles at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, among other institutions, securing support for scholarships, experiential learning, research and key academic initiatives. She is committed to a donor-centered approach that fosters lasting partnerships and aligns philanthropic investments with organizational priorities. 

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in business organizational communication from the University of Akron and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Duquesne University. 

Lauren was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, where she still resides with her husband and their four children. Outside of work, Lauren can be found attending a Pittsburgh Pirates game or exploring the Pittsburgh community with her family.