Founder : Lara Blume

Lara hails from Little Rock, Arkansas, a place very close to her heart and purpose.

Lara began her career in philanthropy at a very young age. Her parents served as role models as they would feed and provide work opportunities to homeless men in the streets of Little Rock. Occasionally, they would even bring them home for a warm meal. Her parents instilled in her core values that remained with Lara through her international travels and personal development.

This trait of giving back and helping others became second nature to Lara. She became president of Y-Teens, a non-profit group in Jr. High School. She then went on to volunteer under Tracy Steele at the Martin Luther King Commission. She became a role model and mentor during her time at the commission while speaking to young children about the importance of education and not giving up. Lara went on to study Child Psychology as well as Education.

Lara started the New York City based Reach Back Foundation in 2000 . The company helped professional athletes operate their own non-profit organizations, and assisted in fund raising for their causes to enable them to give back to their communities. Lara has worked with some of the world’s most renowned athletes in the NBA and NFL.

In 2003 after moving to Los Angeles to further her passion of service, Lara dedicated three years of volunteering to serve on the board of the Salvation Army South Los Angeles Youth Center. Through Lara's determination and resolve, the organization was able to raise capital for the center, implement programs for at risk youth and introduced the center to well known celebrities and athletes to garner further support for the center’s causes.

Lara’s current company, Team Up World was created in 2007 by dedicated friends. "I remember sitting down with the group and brainstorming for the perfect name."

Team Up World has become a strong powerhouse for furthering philanthropic causes nationwide, and recently supported work for a major fundraising effort to assist the Haitian people after an earthquake. Lara looks forward to putting her talents to use to help further other great causes through her organization. "We raise capital, create awareness and help foundations see their full potential. We are confident that if enough people team up, many lives can be changed through the generosity of others.”

Lara believes that her work is never over and will continue persevering to help others raise awareness and funds for the same causes that are near and dear to her heart. She is working hard to build a legacy and that will touch numerous lives.