Laurie Dean Torrell

I am a passionate advocate of mission based nonprofit work, having more than 25 years of progressive experience in all aspects of nonprofit agency operations and leadership. Currently serving as Executive Director of Just Buffalo Literary Center (www.justbuffalo.org), I've worked with an amazing group of colleagues to double the organization's budget and bring expanded literary and arts education programming to the local community. This includes the Babel Literary Lecture series featuring readings and conversations with the world's greatest writers, now being called "one of the most exciting literary series that Buffalo has ever seen" and a wide variety of Writers in Education programs to support young writers. We also implemented a first-of-its-kind administrative collaboration with CEPA and Big Orbit Gallery which received national attention through 3 nationally distributed articles, and a major award. I am committed to team-based management, securing and retaining top talent (whether staff or volunteer), importing innovative practices from across disciplines to build value, and sector-wide organizing and advocacy for collective impact.