What do we do?
At Laurel, we help funders move beyond traditional grantmaking to design and realize investments that drive measurable impact. Whether it’s transforming how surgeons are trained or fueling innovations in education, our work ensures that funders’ resources are invested strategically, effectively, and with long-term impact in mind.
SELF
From an idea to a global movement in surgical education
In 2020, Intuitive Foundation set out to revolutionize how surgeons train, shifting from traditional apprenticeship models to simulation-based learning. But making this vision a reality required not only innovative thinking but also the right infrastructure, partnerships, and global engagement.
Over the past several years, Laurel has served as Intuitive Foundation’s strategic and operational partner, helping take the SELF program from an initial concept to a globally recognized initiative. Our founder co-designed the Global Surgical Training Challenge, proving that cost-effective, high-quality training models could be created and scaled. We led an international engagement campaign, working directly with surgical leaders across dozens of countries and hosting workshops, convenings, and major events.
Beyond community-building, we’ve established the digital and operational infrastructure to support SELF’s growth, ensuring that training programs are not only effective but also measurable. With agile staffing, human-centered design, and strategic program management, we’ve helped Intuitive Foundation build a sustainable model that expands surgical training opportunities worldwide.
Catalyze
A $14 million investment program designed for learning innovation
The Catalyze Challenge sought to invest in early-stage innovations that prepare students for the future of work. With thousands of potential grantees, an ambitious timeline, and a focus on real learner outcomes, Catalyze funders needed a partner to design an investment approach that was both strategic and executable.
That’s where Laurel came in. Together with Common Group, we co-designed a competitive investment program that allowed Catalyze to surface the most promising solutions and distribute funding effectively. We built a robust evaluation framework to review large volumes of applications in a methodical and fair manner, ensuring that every investment aligned with Catalyze’s mission. To measure the long-term impact of these grants, we developed results-tracking systems that assess how funding decisions translate into real learner progress.
With Laurel’s strategic guidance and operational expertise, Catalyze Challenge successfully launched and managed multiple rounds of investments, channeling funding to high-potential initiatives that are reshaping career-connected learning across the U.S.
