Laura Manion is the President and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, where she leads one of the region’s most influential business organizations. Appointed at age 32, she became one of the youngest Chamber presidents in Pennsylvania—if not the country—for a Chamber of this size and stature.
Since stepping into the role while six months pregnant, Manion has become a fierce statewide advocate for working families and early childhood care. Her personal experience with the childcare crisis inspired her to lead a statewide coalition effort, rallying 55 chamber presidents across Pennsylvania in support of reform. She was invited to testify before both the Pennsylvania House Finance Committee and the House Children & Youth Committee. In 2023, her advocacy helped influence the successful passage of bipartisan legislation expanding the state’s childcare tax credit—now matching 100% of the federal credit and helping over 220,000 families statewide. Manion built on that successful advocacy with her fellow Chamber members and celebrated another win in the 2025 state budget with a $25 million new State Budget line-item appropriation for child care teacher recruitment and retention assistance.
Under her leadership, the Chamber has also taken a more vocal role in addressing regional issues including housing, infrastructure, and public transportation. Manion has penned op-eds on these topics, appeared on numerous policy panels, and is a trusted voice in the business community. Laura manages day-to-day Chamber operations while also overseeing major events, fundraising, and legislative advocacy.
Laura is a monthly panelist on 6ABC’s Inside Story, offering insight into the intersection of public policy, business, and community impact.
Before joining the Chamber, Manion served as Manager for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Great Lakes Regional Office, covering six states including Pennsylvania. Prior to that, she was Assistant Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at Villanova University, where she strengthened relationships between the university and local communities. Her initiatives included the launch of the Main Line’s first “Villanova Dines Out! Restaurant Week” and a monthly community TV show she hosted called Community Conversations with Laura Wagoner.
An educator as well, Manion taught a course at Villanova called Public Policy Pathways, guiding students interested in careers in government, advocacy, and nonprofit work.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College and a master’s in public administration from West Chester University. Laura currently serves on the boards of the Valley Forge Park Alliance, the Chester County Economic Development Council, and GVF (Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association). She is also an committee member of Chester County’s America 250 Commission, West Chester University’s MPA Alumni/External Advisory Board and has served on various committees throughout the region.
In recognition of her leadership, she has been honored as one of Main Line Today’s Power Women, a Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, City and State’s 40 Under 40 Award, and the 2025 GVF “Advocacy Leadership Award.” In 2024, Laura was the recipient of the Heather B. Thiermann Young Alumnae Award from the Agnes Irwin School, which is presented to alumna in the 5th, 10th, or 15th year class who has made an outstanding contribution through her community interests or her professional or academic pursuits.
Laura has been a guest on Executive Leaders Radio Podcast, Citadel Banking’s Podcast, Into the Corner Office Podcast, and the Working Moms Playbook Podcast.
Laura lives in Glenmoore with her husband and two sons – with a new baby coming in March.
