DBT40 Honoree: Laura Klatzkin

Position: Senior Development Manager

Employer: March of Dimes

Age: 35

When March of Dimes Delaware had to cancel its signature March for Babies fundraising walk for the first time ever due to the coronavirus, senior development manager Laura Klatzkin helped the nonprofit pivot so that they could continue protecting the health of mothers and babies.

Instead of the in-person walk, the nonprofit held a “Step Up!” virtual walk campaign to raise funds. Under Klatzkin’s leadership, Delaware finished third in the United States, edging out larger markets across the country.

March of Dimes also cancelled its signature fall fundraising events, and instead they looked for other ways to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Klatzkin worked with one of March of Dimes’ corporate partners to launch a meal delivery program for parents with a child in the neonatal intensive care unit. The program provided families a meal and a moment of normalcy, all while patronizing local restaurants that also need support as their businesses take a hit during the pandemic.

Since Klatzkin arrived at March of Dimes Delaware in 2016, she has grown the nonprofit’s sponsorships and donors each year.

Klatzkin is March of Dimes’ only full-time staff member in Delaware. She handles the local organization’s budgets, fundraising, outreach, planning and events in Delaware.

Like many parents during the pandemic, Klatzkin has juggled being a full-time mom and teacher to her 3-year-old son, Ryan; wife to her husband, Scott; and a working professional.