Laura Yates Clark honored for transformative leadership with UNC Charlotte Distinguished Alumni Award

The UNC Charlotte Alumni Association honored four distinguished graduates whose leadership, innovation and service are strengthening communities across the region and beyond. During the 2026 Alumni Awards ceremony on Friday, Feb. 27, in the Popp Martin Student Union, the University celebrated alumni whose achievements reflect the bold spirit and lasting impact of Niner Nation.

Laura Yates Clark ’02 was recognized as a transformative civic leader whose work has shaped Charlotte’s nonprofit and philanthropic landscape. As president of Foundation For The Carolinas, she oversees strategic initiatives for one of the nation’s largest community foundations, advancing regional progress through philanthropy and civic engagement.

Clark previously served as president and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlotte, where she led major efforts to expand economic mobility and promote racial equity. Her career has long centered on supporting children, families and neighborhoods, including leadership roles with the Renaissance West Community Initiative and the Council for Children’s Rights.

Her commitment to community is rooted in her academic foundation at UNC Charlotte. Clark earned a master’s degree in clinical and community psychology from the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Science. The program equipped her with the tools to understand complex social systems, elevate community voices and drive meaningful, sustainable change. That training helped prepare her for a career dedicated to serving the Charlotte region and supporting its most vulnerable residents through thoughtful, mission‑driven leadership.

Clark’s influence extends locally and nationally through her service on the Purpose Built Communities Board of Directors and the UNC Charlotte Board of Visitors. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Appalachian State University.