Paula Lawrence joined the Starr Foundation as Vice President in August 2003.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms Lawrence worked in the field of international cultural exchange for over 20 years. From 1992 to 2003, she was Director of Performing Arts at The Japan Society in New York City where she curated and produced the Society's annual season of performances that appeared in New York City and toured across the United States. She also developed exchanges and commissioning programs for American artists to create new work related to Japan and fostered numerous collaborations between Japanese and American artists and institutions. From 1976 to 1991, she worked in the Performing Arts Department of The Asia Society. She has been an active consultant, author and lecturer on Japanese and Asian performing arts.

A graduate of Barnard College, Ms Lawrence also holds as M.A from Teachers College, Columbia University and taught at the secondary level for five years.