Laura Rossi is Executive Director of the Westchester Community Foundation. She leads the Foundation’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all residents in Westchester. Through her leadership, the Foundation brings together donors, funders, nonprofits and municipal partners to better understand and address the root causes of persistent challenges and emerging needs. She began her career at WCF in 2007 as a program officer, where she managed a diverse portfolio, including the Foundation’s environmental grantmaking program. She broadened that program to focus on sustainability, and worked closely with local community leaders to design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to sustainability. She holds a J.D. from New York Law School and a B.A. from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM. She is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Westchester, and in 2021 was an honoree for the City & State’s Above & Beyond awards. Prior to her career in philanthropy, she practiced law , worked for local and statewide nonprofits, and taught at local colleges. In addition to her role as co-Chair of the board of directors of Sustainable Westchester, Laura is a board member of New York Funders Alliance and the Support Center. In 2019 she was appointed to the Westchester Housing Opportunity Commission by County Executive George Latimer.