Laura Welch is the Director of Innovation Ecosystem Development for NYSTAR, the Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Empire State Development, New York State government and economic development arm. Before joining NYSTAR, Laura worked in New York’s nascent UAS/drone industry, developing technology to integrate drones into the National Airspace System. She first became involved with technology innovation, including drones, in her prior role as Deputy Director of CASE, a NYSTAR Center for Advanced Technology in complex information systems at Syracuse University. Before moving upstate, Laura successfully advised founders and CEOs turning around struggling companies or undertaking periods of rapid growth in the greater New York City area. When she is not reading up on the latest tech, Laura can be found traveling, exploring the outdoors, finding foraged greens at the farmers’ market, or helping
her former racehorse Waldo learn a new career as a jumper.