Lorena McLaren

Lorena engages with university leadership to build and direct a central program that establishes and fosters successful partnerships with industry and foundations to support university priorities. Her experience in Corporate & Foundation Relations includes roles at Carnegie Mellon University and University of Washington.

Lorena has been involved in the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO) since its formation in 2007, including committee roles, conference host, and facilitating mastery sessions. She served a three-year term as Vice President, President, and Past President from 2010-2013.

Lorena holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Central Washington University and a Master’s degree in Education from Western Washington University. Lorena was born and raised in the Seattle area.

Lorena McLaren joined NC State in November 2015 as Executive Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations. Lorena engages with university leadership to build and direct a central program that establishes and fosters successful partnerships with industry and foundations to support university priorities.

At Carnegie Mellon University, she served as Interim Director where she led a team of Associate Directors, each managing a portfolio of companies for the university. Lorena developed strategic corporate relationships aligned with university and school priorities in partnership with university leadership and deans. Prior to Carnegie Mellon, Lorena worked at the University of Washington in Seattle for 16 years. She was the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations for 10 years representing 10 academic departments within the College of Engineering. Previous experience at UW included roles with the Engineering Co-Op Program and the Career Center.

Lorena has been involved in the Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO) since its formation in 2007 and has attended every annual conference. She served a three-year term as Vice President, President, and Past President from 2011-2013. Additionally, Lorena has served as annual conference host (2009 in Seattle) and been involved with the marketing, benchmarking, conference program planning, and professional development committees. At the 2015 annual conference, Lorena facilitated the inaugural master’s level session.