Lauren C. Vaughan, President & CEO, Samaritan Inns

Lauren C. VaughanLauren C. Vaughan currently serves as the President and CEO of Samaritan Inns, a DC non- profit dedicated to combating homelessness and addictions. She joined Samaritan Inns in Fall 2020 after two decades of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Previously, Lauren served as Executive Director of MentorPrize, a non-profit that connects at-risk youth with adult mentors; and she served for four years as Secretary of the District of Columbia, after Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed her in January 2015. Prior to entering government, Lauren served as Executive Director of My Sister’s Place (MSP), a decades-old, non-profit in Washington, DC that shelters, supports, and empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children. She oversaw completion of a multi-million dollar initiative to expand and renovate the organization’s emergency shelter, more than doubling its capacity. Lauren also helped create a citywide domestic violence hotline and managed 45 employees. In total, Lauren devoted 14 years to MSP, having previously served there as a volunteer and board member.Lauren’s business experience includes leading and managing a DC-based business consulting firm and supporting the establishment of a DC-based project and construction management company in 2001. She applied her expertise to both companies simultaneously. She has served on numerous boards and currently serves on the Board of Directors for DC Vote and the Vestry of her church, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Southwest Washington, DC.Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lauren moved to the metropolitan DC area to attend graduate school at The George Washington University where she earned a Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Management. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media from Hampton University and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Washington, Class of 2002. Lauren was recognized in 2023 as a “Woman Who Means Business” by The Washington Business Journal. Lauren resides in Upper Marlboro with her husband Horace Fauntleroy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.