AUSTIN, Texas—The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce today announced that President and CEO Laura Huffman will leave her role effective December 31, 2022.

“Laura has led the Austin Chamber during an unprecedented time of economic success for Central Texas,” said Fred Heldenfels Chair of the Austin Chamber Board of Directors. “In 2020, we experienced our best year for business expansion and relocation. Then in 2021, we topped that success. At the same time, we’ve reached a high-water mark for investing in infrastructure in our region. Central Texas's future is bright, and that is due in part to Laura and the exceptional Austin Chamber staff.”

Huffman has been with the Austin Chamber since April 2020, assuming the role during a time of significant upheaval for the business community at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Laura took the reins of the Chamber at an incredibly difficult time for our community and country,” said Ali Khataw, Chair-Elect of the Austin Chamber Board of Directors. “She provided key direction on issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, homelessness, public safety, talent, and workforce development. Her engagement helped businesses and the community navigate turbulent times and find solutions to these pressing challenges. The community owes her a great deal of gratitude for her leadership.”

Prior to joining the Austin Chamber, Huffman worked for the Nature Conservancy as their Texas Executive Director. Before that, she held city management positions for the City of Austin and San Marcos.

“I am proud of the Chamber’s accomplishments over the last three years. Importantly, none of the success we celebrate would have been possible without the talented staff we have. From the moment I began at the Chamber at the beginning of the pandemic shutdown, I was enormously impressed by the team’s professionalism and commitment to doing great work. Together, we navigated through the depths of the pandemic and the unemployment and uncertainty that came with it. Today, Austin continues to be one of the strongest economic performers in the country.”

In the coming days, the Austin Chamber will communicate information on an interim leader. Following that, a national search will be conducted to find a permanent President and CEO.

About the Austin Chamber

The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce focuses on how the Austin region works. We serve as the voice of business for our member organizations and their employees throughout Central Texas. Our mission is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for members