Laura provides senior project management, direction and supervision for all day-to-day work, contributes to strategic planning and problem solving, and manages communications and reporting. She leads the CRS team in developing and implementing cross cutting, high-impact strategies that strengthen the regional economy.

 Previously, Laura was Director of the UB Regional Institute (UBRI) for over ten years where she led a team engaged in a range of highly visible projects in regional economic development and sustainability. She served as team leader and project manager in partnership with the WNY Regional Economic Development Council and Empire State Development, using her expertise to guide decision-making and support and lead major initiatives through strategic planning, problem solving and project implementation.

While at UBRI, she led the development of the Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP), a $300 million collaborative, community-driven, targeted economic development investment strategy designed to build community wealth and leverage public/private co-investments to maximize impact. This holistic economic development strategy is demonstrating how New York State’s partnership with cities and private/philanthropic sectors drives catalytic initiatives that help underserved communities and lays the foundation for inclusive recovery and growth. First implemented in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester, the strategy will serve as a pilot program that could be rolled out to other regions in New York State and has the potential to become an innovative national model for economic revitalization.