Open to opportunities

Laura Mahoney

@lauramahoney

Message

I am a Certified Grants Management Specialist with 15+ years managing federal financial assistance.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek grants management roles in federal or mission-driven agencies where I can lead teams, strengthen compliance, implement systems, and improve financial controls.

I am a results-driven Certified Grants Management Specialist with more than 15 years of experience overseeing federal financial assistance across multiple agencies. I have led teams and managed the fiscal lifecycle for approximately 350 awards totaling over $62 billion, driving timely completion and accountability.

I serve as a subject-matter expert in grants and fiscal policy, implementing grants and fiscal management systems such as Grants.gov, GrantSolutions, Delphi, and PRISM, and leading transitions to commitment accounting. I have a proven record resolving grantee administrative and internal control deficiencies disclosed in single audits and providing policy guidance on 2 CFR 200 compliance.

I am committed to operational efficiency, strong internal controls, and clear policy development, and I bring experience in training, indirect cost rate negotiations, and cross-agency committee work to improve grants management practices.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Grants Management Team Lead

Current

Federal Railroad Administration

Jun 2021 - Present (4 years 4 months)

Lead a team of four managing fiscal oversight of ~350 federal awards totaling over $62 billion and implemented the transition to commitment accounting to improve award tracking and controls. Serve as primary SME for Grants.gov, GrantSolutions, and Delphi and resolved audit and grantee internal control deficiencies.

Financial Management GrantSolutions Delphi Audit Resolution Team Leadership

Grants Policy Analyst

U.S. Geological Survey

May 2009 - Jun 2021 (12 years 1 month)

Served as bureau SME on federal financial assistance policy, ensuring compliance with 2 CFR 200 and deploying PRISM and GrantSolutions to improve grants lifecycle management. Advised senior officials and coordinated department-wide policy initiatives and training.

Policy Development 2 CFR 200 GrantSolutions Compliance Stakeholder Engagement Training

Grants Administrator

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Jul 2003 - May 2009 (5 years 10 months)

Supervised a team of three managing the agency's federal financial assistance lifecycle, developed agency-wide grants policies and award terms, and served as cognizant agency for indirect cost rate negotiations. Improved invoice processing and coordination with accounting and audit functions.

Policy Development Indirect Cost Negotiation Staff Supervision Compliance

Grants Management Specialist

National Park Service

Jun 1998 - Jul 2003 (5 years 1 month)

Managed financial assistance for historic preservation and Native American grant programs, providing technical assistance, training, application review, award drafting, monitoring, and closeouts to ensure program compliance and successful project completion.

Native American Programs Technical assistance

Grants and Contracts Specialist

Smithsonian Institution

Jun 1996 - Jun 1998 (2 years)

Supported sponsored projects administration by identifying funding, developing applications and budgets, negotiating awards, ensuring compliance, and conducting workshops to improve grant and contract management across research staff. Facilitated both federal and non-federal award administration.

Award Negotiation Compliance Funding Research