Laura Quebral
CEO
Laura Quebral provides senior project direction for all day-to-day work for the CRS team, contributes to strategic planning and problem solving, and manages communications across all CRS economic growth initiatives. She leads the team in identifying collaborative partners and funders; developing a portfolio of strategically aligned initiatives designed to maximize outcomes; building capacity of community-based organizations; supporting program implementation and prioritizing research on the regional economy to strengthen decision-making and evaluation.
Laura has led teams engaged in highly visible regional economic development projects since 2011. She served as team leader in partnership with the WNY Regional Economic Development Council and Empire State Development, using her expertise to guide decision-making and led major initiatives through strategic planning and project implementation. She drove the development of the Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP), a $300 million collaborative, community-driven, economic development investment strategy designed to build community wealth and leverage public/private co-investments. She also helped form the WNY Manufacturing and Tech Workforce Coalition which is focused on aligning training with industry needs; providing local businesses with a qualified workforce; facilitating good-paying career pathways in manufacturing and tech; and building the region’s talent pipeline.
Laura launched CRS in early 2024 after 14 years at the UB Regional Institute. Before that, she served as Knowledge Management Officer at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and The John R. Oishei Foundation and Director of Planning and Strategic Initiatives at the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.
Laura holds bachelor’s degrees in both English and psychology from the University at Buffalo; and a master’s in urban planning, also from UB, where she won the award for best thesis for “Preserving Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks: Facing Challenges in Planning for Historic Park Landscapes.”