Biography
Laurie M. Tisch is president of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, a charitable enterprise that builds on a longstanding commitment to enable more New Yorkers to take advantage of the rich opportunities that the city has to offer. The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund was created to support strong leaders and institutions working to increase access and opportunity. Ms. Tisch's vision for the foundation is characterized by the word illumination, a metaphor for philanthropic investments that will fire imagination, spark opportunity and strengthen community. Ms. Tisch's deep conviction and sense of purpose in her philanthropy come from years of experience building institutions, serving on boards and from a committed, engaged civic life. Ms. Tisch was the founding chair of the Center for Arts Education (CAE), where she led a multi-million dollar fundraising campaign that resulted in an investment of nearly $40 million in arts education programs in New York City schools. Ms. Tisch is also chair emeritus of the Children's Museum of Manhattan. In addition, she sits on the board of trustees and executive committee of the Whitney Museum of American Art; is chair of the development committee and vice chair of the board of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and is vice chair of the board at Teachers College, Columbia University. Ms. Tisch is also a co-owner and member of the board of directors of the New York Football Giants. In 2010, Ms. Tisch received an honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University. Ms. Tisch is the recipient of many awards for her public service. She was honored in 2011 by generationOn for her work on behalf of youth and service. She received the National Child Labor Committee's 2006 Lewis Hine Award for Distinguished Service for her work with children and the arts, and in 2005 was presented with Town Hall's Friends of the Arts Award for her cultural advocacy and support of the arts.
