Lauren McCort, Executive Director-elect, leads Youth INC’s mission to amplify the impact of youth development nonprofits through transformative capacity-building programs.
Since joining Youth INC in 2012, she has expanded the Partner Network to over 90 nonprofit organizations and doubled coaching programs, resulting in measurable improvements in program expansion, strategic planning, and leadership development among nonprofit partners.
Previously, as Chief Program Officer and Director of Impact Measurement, Lauren spearheaded initiatives that significantly advanced Youth INC’s work. She led efforts that more than doubled the adoption of evaluation tools among nonprofit partners, drove substantial program expansion, and established the Research & Strategic Initiatives function to demonstrate the importance of capacity-building and infrastructure development for nonprofits. During her tenure, she has also cultivated a team of nonprofit management experts who now deliver over 2,200 hours of training and coaching annually, supporting thousands of nonprofit staff and board members in strengthening their impact.
Prior to Youth INC, she honed her fundraising, evaluation, and consulting expertise at organizations like Dancewave and Broadway Housing Communities, and community-based organizations in Broome County, New York.
Lauren’s connection to Youth INC’s mission is deeply personal, informed by her experiences as a nonprofit professional navigating limited resources to create meaningful social change. She remains committed to advancing a social impact agenda, leveraging strategic partnerships, and equipping youth development organizations with the tools they need to thrive.
She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Binghamton University, and a certificate in Principles and Practices in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.
