Laurie Dean Torrell

Laurie Dean Torell is 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, she has worked to 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. Just Buffalo also implemented a first-of-its-kind administrative collaboration with CEPA and Big Orbit Gallery, which received national attention through three nationally distributed articles, and a major award.