Laura Huffman (she/her) is a dedicated public servant with over 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors, devoted to enhancing and fortifying communities. She is the CEO and co-founder of Civic Solutions Partnership and serves as the chair of the Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) Transportation Committee. Her focus on strategic development and practical solutions is evident in her role leading infrastructure workforce development for Workforce Solutions, to ensure the economic and workforce opportunities associated with Austin’s historic investment in infrastructure are captured. She also assists Interim City Manager Jesus Garza as part of his interim management team.
As former CEO of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, she steered one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities through the challenges of a global pandemic and the largest economic expansion in its modern history. Laura’s impactful leadership extends to her role as the Executive Director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas, where she orchestrated and led TNC’s global cities program, safeguarded tens of thousands of acres of land, and championed policies that improved water quality, enhanced water supplies, and mitigated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. With almost two decades in city management, Laura excelled in overseeing economic development, downtown revitalization, environmental protection, infrastructure development, and public safety services in Austin and San Marcos.
Laura is a native Austinite and she and her husband Kent have four children.