PORTLAND, February 2, 2022 – The Board of Directors of ARCS Foundation Oregon has named Lori Slaughter as the organization’s first Executive Director. Slaughter’s extensive background in higher education philanthropy combined with a deep commitment to advancing science and research, will help further the mission of the women-led, 17-year-old organization, which provides financial awards to top PhD candidates in a variety of STEM fields.

“We are so thrilled to welcome Lori as our first Executive Director,” says Anne Jarvis, Board President of ARCS Foundation Oregon.  “She will bring experience, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective to our organization. Recruiting Lori would not have happened without the vision and generosity of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Their investment in ARCS allowed the board to find the perfect leader at the right time for our organization. All of us at ARCS Foundation Oregon are looking forward to building upon our history of growth and success, deepening engagement with our amazing volunteer community, and expanding scholar awards with Lori at the helm.”

Slaughter assumed the role in January and will manage all day-to-day operations for the nation’s fastest growing ARCS chapter. ARCS Foundation Oregon is one of 15 Chapters across the U. S. and has been touted as a model for smart and rapid growth. “ARCS Foundation Oregon’s superpower is volunteerism,” says Slaughter. “I am truly inspired by the women who created and have led this organization. They have achieved tremendous growth and impact in such a short period of time. Our strong partnerships with OHSU, University of Oregon, and Oregon State University in recruiting the next generation of top scientists to our state will no doubt generate solutions to some of society’s most pressing issues.” 

“As a past President of ARCS Foundation Oregon and current President of ARCS National, I’m delighted to see our local chapter take another significant next step forward to fulfilling the mission of advancing science in America,” says Caron Ogg. “Our long-term vision is to expand the support we provide to our university partners and, of course, to our incredible scholar scientists. Having an experienced leader like Lori in the ED position will bring us closer to making this vision a reality.”

Lori brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to ARCS Foundation Oregon. Most recently, she led the expansion of the development department at Outside In, a Portland-based health and human services agency. Under her direction, Outside In launched new endowment and planned giving programs, and realized significant revenue growth in fundraising. She has also held director-level roles with the UCLA and OHSU Foundations, where her focus was engaging philanthropists in opportunities to invest in scholarship endowments and women’s health research, education, and services. Lori was also an ARCS Foundation Oregon member during her time at OHSU.

ARCS Foundation Oregon - Mission & Impact

ARCS Foundation Oregon advances science and technology by providing financial awards to academically outstanding students who are U.S. citizens studying to complete PhD degrees in science, engineering, math, technology, and medical research at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon.

ARCS Foundation Oregon has committed over $5.5 million to support 331 young scientists while they earn their PhDs, conduct research, and advance scientific knowledge in their fields.

Visit ARCS Foundation Oregon’s website at oregon.arcsfoundation.org to learn more.

Media Contact:

Lori Slaughter
Executive Director
loris@arcsoregon.org
310.926.3841
oregon.arcsfoundation.org