Meet the CSN Team

Laurie Ponce Lage

Laurie Ponce Lage

Director

Laurie Ponce Lage is the Director of the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska (CSN). Laurie served as a legal counsel in the Nebraska Legislature for three committees and nine committee chairpersons and brings a wealth of legislative knowledge to the coalition.

Born and raised in North Platte, Nebraska, Laurie attended the University of Nebraska for both her undergraduate and law degrees. She worked as a legislative page during her undergraduate years, and as a clerk during law school. Upon graduation, she began working for the Legislature. She has established relationships with legislators and other public officials, state administrators, private industry and interest groups.  As a lawyer responsible for advising the Legislature on policy and legal aspects of legislation, Laurie is able to accurately communicate those aspects, explain the relevant law, and recommend a course of action.  She has proven success in mediating and negotiating solutions to complex changes in the law.

Alex Labenz

Alex Labenz

Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement

Alex Labenz is the Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement at the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska (CSN). With a strong background in system planning, Alex specializes in uniting cross-sector stakeholders to promote equity and achieve shared goals. In this role, Alex leads initiatives that integrate policy engagement, capacity-building, and strategic collaboration to amplify CSN’s statewide impact.

Alex has secured multi-year funding across Nebraska to prevent and end homelessness, designed and managed a statewide housing navigation system, partnered with communities to develop local housing coalitions, and worked alongside affordable housing partners to advocate for community needs and identify innovative solutions.

Prior to joining CSN, Alex served as the Associate Vice President of Housing Sustainability at the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. Alex also contributed to system planning for the Lincoln and Balance of State Continuums of Care and worked within the child welfare system through both state and nonprofit roles.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies. Passionate about creating equitable systems, Alex is dedicated to designing and enhancing frameworks that empower households to meet basic needs and foster thriving communities.