Laura Lewis Marchino serves as the Executive Director of the Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, a position she has held since 2016. She has worked in community and economic development since 2000. She has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, an MBA, and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Laura serves on numerous boards including the National Association of Development Organization’s (NADO), Colorado Association of Regional Organizations (CARO), and the United Way Serving Southwest Colorado. She recently served eight years on the Economic Development Council of Colorado and was the Chair in 2021. Other recognition includes: 2022 Chairman’s Award, Economic Development Council of Colorado; 2015 Barbara Conrad Leadership Award; 2008 Economic Development Leader of the Year; 2005 Marshall Memorial Fellow for the German Marshall Fund: 2004 Extraordinary Woman Award. Prior to her work with Region 9, she was the Executive Director of Operation Healthy Communities. She has lived in Durango since 1990 where she has raised two sons.