Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” There’s truth in that statement because busy people don’t waste time—they manage it. Laura Pauli, SaddleBrooke Community Outreach’s new President, has always been a busy and productive person.
Laura and her husband, Don Cain, moved to SaddleBrooke in May 2006 and she has wanted to be part of SBCO’s mission ever since. But until January 2023, she was working full time for IBM in Finance. Her career with “I’ve Been Moved” spanned 42 years of financial planning and budgeting, pricing for products and services, business process audit management and finally, mergers and acquisitions. However, she still managed, despite juggling time zone differences, travel and the other demands of her job to squeeze in volunteer work.
In 2007, Laura and Don became SBCO members and in the fall of 2015, she took on the task of maintaining the organization’s publicity scrapbook, a task she could fit in whenever her schedule permitted. It also became a good way for her to learn about SBCO’s programs. She also served on the finance committee of SaddleBrooke HOA-2 from 2010 to 2013, until she and Don relocated to a house in HOA-1. Friends of SaddleBrooke Libraries benefited from Laura’s leadership as treasurer for six years, beginning in 2012, and as President for an additional four years.
Since 2017, Laura has served three terms as co-president and a term as president for Soroptimist International of Desert Tucson, as well as leading the committees for each of its service projects and writing grant applications. In 2020, Laura became involved with Soroptimist International of the Golden West Region, which has more than 30 clubs. She led the region’s service program offering career support to secondary-school-age girls for two years and is finishing two years as region leader of multiple service programs to improve access to education for girls and women facing obstacles. In July, Laura will begin a two-year term as district director for the clubs in southern Arizona and western New Mexico. The Soroptimists focus on projects that lead to social and economic empowerment for women and girls in underserved communities. Laura actually became involved with the local club when she worked for IBM in Tucson in the 1980s and renewed her involvement after returning to the area in 2006. “The group is all about providing access to education as a path to success, which is something I really believe in,” noted Laura.
Laura understands the importance of a post-high school degree. She worked a variety of hospitality and clerical jobs and obtained financial aid to complete her bachelor’s degree. “After having five children, my mother got her master’s in social work and worked for child protective services. My dad had an associate’s degree and worked in hospitality management. I knew a degree was the only way I could get an interesting, well-paying job. I really value SBCO’s efforts to provide local kids with educational opportunities so they can realize their career goals.”
After she retired, Laura was ready to take on a bigger role with SBCO and became Executive Vice President, focusing on seasonal programs, such as Walk for Kids, Thanksgiving Baskets, Adopt a Family/Adopt a Child and Food Drive. As president, she looks forward to maintaining SBCO’s efforts to provide the youth in Arizona’s Copper Corridor—from Catalina north to Globe and east to San Carlos and Fort Thomas—with opportunities to succeed through programs that offer food, clothing, enrichment and scholarships for post-secondary training or education.
Laura says, “What I enjoy most about volunteering is showing up—participating in planning the projects and being on hand to help make them happen. It gives me a deep sense of satisfaction to help others and I always learn something that I can apply to other projects or volunteer organizations. I’d encourage others interested in volunteering for SBCO to raise your hand, offer to help and do your best. You won’t regret it.”
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