Leadership

Barbara Lawrence

Barbara Lawrence is the executive director of The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, which was created in 1967 by the founder of ADP and his wife to give back to their local community. As the Foundation’s executive director, Ms. Lawrence works in partnership with the Taub family to increase the effectiveness and impact of the Foundation’s active grantmaking in early childhood, aging in place, and medical research. A continuing focus of the Foundation is on local communities in Bergen and Passaic counties, in areas with the greatest needs, including Henry’s home town of Paterson. The Foundation also makes grants in Israel through existing partnerships.

Prior to joining The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, Ms. Lawrence worked on public policy issues in New Jersey for more than two decades. She was a co-founder and executive director of New Jersey Future, a research and advocacy organization working for smart growth, namely more livable places and open spaces. Prior to that, Ms. Lawrence was Senior Vice President of the Regional Plan Association and Associate Director of the Governor’s Commission on Science and Technology.

Ms. Lawrence chaired the Waterfront Commission in her then home town of Hoboken and led the successful effort to create a redevelopment plan of the waterfront that resulted in award-winning open space, walkways, and major new commercial and residential buildings. She received her undergraduate education from the University of California at Berkeley and her Masters Degree from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.