Laura Mello is a 3rd generation San Diegan who was raised in the suburb of Poway.  After attending Business school at the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, Laura started her career in finance 16 years ago.  She spent nearly 10 years with a large commercial bank working in private wealth management and financial advising. In 2009 Laura started her own 501c3 , Oasis Haven, a US organization with a passion for the orphan crisis in South Africa, she joined the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club that same year. Through a Rotary connection she took a job as a financial advisor and planner with a local investment firm with a focus on private real estate investments. However, three years ago Laura had the opportunity to combine her passion for philanthropy with her knowledge and skill set of financial planning as the Director of Gift Planning for Rady Children’s Hospital.  Laura’s passion is working with individuals and families to think about their charitable planning through a strategic lens, woven into the values and experiences that make each family unique.  She has been a member of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club for 12 years and as of July 1 has the honor of serving as club president for 2022-2023.