Welcoming Laura Rose-Grabinski as Our New Development Director

Laura Rose-Grabinski

Development Director

Blue Mountain Humane Society is pleased to announce the addition of a new leader to our team: Laura Rose-Grabinski has joined BMHS as our Development Director, bringing with her deep local roots and over a decade of experience in nonprofit development, communications, and community-building.

Laura began in her new role on June 23 and is already making an impact. She steps into this position at a critical time, as we continue building sustainable donor support for our programs and preparing for our largest annual fundraiser—the 2025 Fall Furr Ball.

A longtime resident of the Walla Walla Valley, Laura is no stranger to the community or its nonprofit landscape. Her professional background includes leadership roles with TruthTeller Winery, Vienna International Pianos, and several regional nonprofits such as ArtWalla and the Walla Walla Symphony. In each of these roles, she demonstrated a unique ability to build lasting relationships, communicate impact, and grow mission-driven initiatives.

“This was an unexpected but welcome opportunity,” said Dian Ver Valen, Chief Executive Officer of BMHS. “Laura’s blend of creativity, community roots, and development experience is exactly what we need as we continue building a strong and sustainable future for our mission. It was clear right from the start that her perspective and talents are an ideal match for this critical role.”

Laura holds degrees in business and psychology and has been active in local volunteer leadership for years. Her work as a board member, marketing director, and program coordinator for a variety of Walla Walla-based organizations gives her insight into the unique strengths and challenges of our region.

“I’m honored to join the team at Blue Mountain Humane Society,” Laura shared. “I’ve admired this organization’s impact in our community for years, and I look forward to working with our supporters to ensure that animals in the Walla Walla Valley continue to get the care, compassion, and second chances they deserve.”

This appointment also marks a welcome transition for our internal team. Steve Lenz, who has led the development team over the past six months in addition to his work in communications and marketing, will return his focus to those core responsibilities while continuing to support development efforts across the organization.

We are grateful for Steve’s leadership during this transition and thrilled to welcome Laura to the BMHS family. Her arrival represents a renewed focus on strengthening relationships, expanding our impact, and ensuring a bright future for the animals and families we serve.

To learn more about our leadership team or upcoming events like the 2025 Fall Furr Ball, explore other sections of our website.