Uniland Development Company Vice President of Corporate Relations, Laura A. Zaepfel, is ranked 34th on the Buffalo Business First Power 200 Women list for 2022. The list highlights the most influential women in Western New York from a variety of industries. Marking her eighth appearance in this prestigious group, Ms. Zaepfel has been recognized on the list since its inaugural edition in 2015. As part of the Power 200 Women program, she participated in an exclusive Buffalo Business First Women at the Table event where she discussed the importance of a strong workforce and predictable government policy to strengthen Buffalo’s competitiveness for the business community.
A pillar of the company since 1993, Ms. Zaepfel leads community relations, corporate philanthropy, diversity, equity and inclusion programs, as well as government relations at Uniland.
Beyond the office, she is an ambassador for a brighter Buffalo across the community. Ms. Zaepfel currently serves on the boards of Amherst Chamber of Commerce as its immediate past Board Chair, the Beverly Grey Business Exchange Center and the Western New York Women’s Foundation, the Canisius College Board of Trustees, and the Law Enforcement Foundation of Western New York, respectively.
Driven by her commitment to educational, recreational, and socially conscious programs, she has provided expertise to a number of other organizations that provide education and health and wellness services, as well as workforce diversity and inclusion programs in Western New York.
Among her recent accolades, Ms. Zaepfel was lauded with Buffalo Business First’s inaugural IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity Awareness) Award and by Niagara University with the Caritas Medal in celebration of her professional success and service to the community.
Dedicated to bringing the community together for importance causes, Ms. Zaepfel has chaired the annual eight-county wide Catholic Charities Appeal and the annual Catholic Education dinner. She has also twice chaired the National Federation of Just Communities of WNY’s annual event, the Western New York Food Bank Capital Campaign, and the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park Veteran Tribute Awards.