Brady Names Veteran Fundraising Leader Laura Sildon as Chief Development Officer

Former Trust for the National Mall and Civica Foundation executive will lead philanthropic growth and development to advance Brady’s mission to end gun violence.

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 15, 2026 — This week, Brady named Laura Sildon as its new Chief Development Officer. Sildon is a creative leader and strategic fundraiser who brings decades of experience in building organizational power through corporate partnerships, private philanthropy, and integrated event and communications support. 

Prior to joining Brady, Sildon served as vice president of philanthropy at the Trust for the National Mall, where she led a team of operations, events, and development professionals to support the ambitious Our Monumental Moment campaign to restore, preserve and elevate the National Mall. Tasked with raising  $250 million in honor of America’s 250th birthday, the campaign had support from Boeing, HP, Humana, American Express, and more. 

Before joining the Trust, Sildon served as executive director of Civica Foundation, a nonprofit generic drug company created by hospitals to combat persistent shortages of affordable medications. At Civica, Sildon built a donor base from the ground up and raised more than $100 million to support access to affordable medications nationwide. Earlier in her career, Laura founded The Jellie Group, a consulting firm providing operational, fundraising, and communications support to nonprofit and for-profit clients. Sildon is passionate to bring her experience and leadership to the movement to end gun violence. 

“Like many Americans, I remember the day Jim Brady was shot and the extraordinary journey he and Sarah Brady took in their advocacy to free America from gun violence, “ said Sildon. “Their spirit of purpose and perseverance is what draws me to Brady today. I am excited to bring my experience in philanthropy, partnerships, and organizational growth to Brady and the fight to end gun violence, the leading cause of death of children in America.”

Sildon is a graduate of Leadership Maryland and Leadership Greater Washington and holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.S.W. from the University of Maryland. She has been a board member of Leadership Montgomery, Black Rock Arts Center, Arts on the Block, and a volunteer with the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program to assist seniors in her community.