Honora Spillane
Senior Vice President of Inclusive Growth
CenterState CEO
Honora Spillane is Senior Vice President of Inclusive Growth for the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO). CenterState CEO is based in Syracuse, New York and is an independent nonprofit committed to creating inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth for all in Central New York. In this role she is responsible for driving positive impact and outcomes in the region. Spillane oversees the majority of the organization’s direct programs, services and initiatives, including core areas of business expansion, retention and attraction; business incubation and acceleration (including The INSPYRE Innovation Hub); workforce development; community investment and prosperity; and cluster development.
Spillane previously served as the organization's vice president of Economic Development. In this role she managed economic development planning and targeted industry outreach efforts, strategic real estate initiatives, and supported CenterState CEO’s members’ interactions with local and state agencies. Spillane was a key member of the team that successfully attracted Micron Technologies to Central New York. The company’s $100 billion investment in the region is the single largest economic development project in New York state history.
Spillane has also served as senior director of Economic and Business Development at CenterState CEO. Before joining CenterState CEO she served as the deputy commissioner for the City of Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, Executive Director of the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency and the President of the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation. She has also served as economic development specialist with Onondaga County. In those roles she managed municipal economic development agencies, revolving loans funds, real estate development projects, and worked with businesses in a variety of industries to help them achieve their goals for growth and success.
Spillane is a member of the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, the New York State Economic Development Council Board of Directors, the CNY TDO, the CNY Arts Board of Directors, and the City of Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals. She graduated Cum Laude from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She also holds a J.D and an M.P.A from Syracuse University. She is a licensed attorney in New York State.