La Shanda Hurst serves as a Business Program Manager for the Microsoft Philanthropies ​Employee Giving program, one of the largest workplace giving programs in the world.

Hurst prides herself on building strong community relations, and her commitment to ​philanthropy has led her to work with some of Seattle’s top professional athletes.

In addition, the 1995 Grambling State University Mass Communications graduate with a ​concentration in public relations is a member of several organizations, and boards and a ​recipient of multiple awards and acknowledgments for her community and volunteer work.

Hurst is an integral part of BAM — Blacks at Microsoft. The group is committed to developing ​and strengthening a strong network of Black leaders at Microsoft, which enhances the ​company’s diverse and inclusive culture.

A key role Hurst plays for Microsoft is preparing employees to champion causes they care ​about during the company’s annual October Give Campaign. Throughout the year, Microsoft ​matches employee donations of money, products and time to eligible nonprofits. Microsoft’s ​U.S. benefit-eligible employees have $15,000 in matching funds per calendar year.

In remembrance and honor of her late father Leslie, who passed away after a battle with cancer ​during Hurst’s freshman year at GSU, Hurst has encouraged Microsoft employees to become ​generous supporters of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, contributing over ​$1.9 million, including the company match, in 2020 alone.

Hurst is also a donor to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center herself and volunteers at ​Obliteride, the Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's annual community fundraiser.