Bills Name Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie Their 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker

Mark Laurrie, superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District, has been selected as the Buffalo Bills’ 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker, an annual honor the team presents to local leaders advancing meaningful progress in their communities. The recognition aligns with the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative that focuses on four pillars of education, economic advancement, police–community relations and criminal justice reform.

Laurrie was celebrated for decades of work on behalf of students and families in Niagara Falls as well as his involvement with the American Heart Association. His reaction to receiving the award reflected both gratitude and surprise.

“I’m shocked and I’m so appreciative,” Laurrie said in an interview with the Buffalo Bills. “We are so appreciative in Niagara Falls that the Bills Foundation reaches that far, and that you don’t forget that we have love in Niagara Falls for you. We appreciate that you remember Niagara Falls.”

His selection follows that of David Rust, the 2024 Inspire Change Changemaker and executive director of Say Yes Buffalo, who works closely with Laurrie. Rust credited Laurrie with extending the Say Yes program into Niagara Falls and broadening access to scholarships, workforce pathways and postsecondary opportunities.

“My hope is that in honoring Mark’s lifetime commitment to education in Niagara Falls, the city, school district, and Say Yes Niagara Falls will receive similar exposure and support, for the scholarship endowment in particular,” Rust said in an interview with the Buffalo Bills. “Niagara Falls is a critical part of our region, and I’m deeply grateful for the wonderful recognition Mark is receiving, after all he has given to his city.”

As part of the award, the NFL Foundation granted Laurrie $10,000, which he chose to donate entirely to Say Yes Niagara Falls. Rust said he hopes Laurrie’s example motivates others to contribute to community-based initiatives.

Laurrie’s work with the American Heart Association has also drawn recognition. In September 2024, he collaborated on the HeartBEAT event, which offered hands-on CPR training to more than 750 student-athletes, families and staff members. Laurrie also serves on the Eastern States American Heart Association Board of Directors.

Laurrie joins a group of NFL-recognized changemakers whose efforts focus on improving outcomes for underserved communities.

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Bills Name Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker