During this pandemic, I’ve been reflecting on the core values that have been the foundation of our organization. Many great local leaders were involved in and laid the groundwork for a strong regional economic development organization. One of our most influential founders – and a great mentor to me – was Randy Clark, former chair of Invest Buffalo Niagara. One of Randy’s favorite expressions was, “Economic development is not a spectator sport.”
Over the past seven months life has been different, to say the least – we’ve been working in new places and communicating in new ways. What has not changed for Invest Buffalo Niagara is our mission, our commitment, and our focus. Our founding principles, especially the importance we place on teamwork and collaboration, have kept us strong and nimble. And maybe most importantly, they’ve kept us in good spirits – together, while apart.
Teamwork is an intrinsic part of Invest Buffalo Niagara’s culture. Now more than ever, I’m thankful for the talented team of people working to support and grow our region and appreciate their expertise and skillset.
I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to the team, via a fun Q&A we each participated in. Enjoy!
Q: How do you start your day?
Kim Grant, VP Business Development
A: I begin and end every day with my rescue dog, Benjamin Franklin. I aspire to be the person he thinks I am.
Alexandra Williams, Administrative Assistant & Investor Relations Coordinator
A: Meditating. Meditation improves my focus and reduces stress. I use this time to set my intentions for the day. When I have clarity on what I want to accomplish, it helps ground me.
Greg Pokriki, Be in Buffalo & Public Relations Specialist
A: Unfortunately I probably start every day with Twitter. But a book or episode of New Girl on Netflix is a typical ending point.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
Thomas Kucharski, President & CEO
A: Receiving a note of thanks from someone who was able to find a job at one of the companies InBN helped bring to or expand into the region, often times giving them a chance to improve the lives of their families and themselves.
Rob Letest, Business Development Specialist
A: Conversations with our community. They have common threads of hope and belief that we will overcome these current challenges. Being on the Invest Buffalo Niagara team, part of yet another resurgence is more than job satisfaction, it is my daily dose of inspiration.
Matthew Hubacher, Research Director
A: It changes every day. In any given week I could be doing local economic analysis, marketing, business attraction, assisting with real estate identification, engaging in strategic planning, introducing various financial incentive options, assisting entrepreneurs, etc.
Q: What are your favorite things about Buffalo Niagara?
Jenna Kavanaugh, COO
A: Although I grew up in WNY, my family and I still constantly explore the region. From hiking trails, restaurants, art galleries and more, there is always something new to experience whether it’s the beautiful landscape throughout our four seasons or the creativity and energy of the people here.
Olivia Hill, Business Development Specialist
A: The people. The food, Getting to experience and enjoy all four seasons! I love to walk or hike at all the beautiful places in the region.
Q: What was your path to your current role?
Matthew Hubacher, Research Director
A: After college I served a “tour of duty” as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill. When I returned home to Buffalo Niagara, I found an interesting position as “Research Specialist” at Invest Buffalo Niagara. Since then I have done my best to learn and gain as much experience as I could as an economic developer and a supportive teammate to my colleagues. Economic development isn’t my job; economic development is my career and my passion.
Jenna Kavanaugh, COO
A: Prior to joining, Invest Buffalo Niagara, I spent nearly 10 years in sales and marketing for the automotive aftermarket. It was an exciting and dynamic role that provided a lot of opportunity and experience in a manufacturing operation. Cost pressures caused the organization to move jobs offshore. Seeing the impact on my then colleagues and community, deeply affected me and led me to find Invest Buffalo Niagara. I’m thankful to put my experience and skills to work on behalf of my neighbors, working to bring jobs to our area.
Q: Do you have a ‘Good Neighbor’ Story?
Sarah Larson, Marketing Manager
A: I often say ‘it takes a village’ and for years I’ve seen that hold true as my husband and I raise our children in WNY. Last week a workday was particularly busy and with hybrid schooling in effect, a challenge. Five awesome moms over three days played the role of home teacher and gym teacher to my two youngest. For their kindness, I met my work goals and still had time for lunch. Of course I returned the favor.
Olivia Hill, Business Development Specialist
A: We moved to our neighborhood last year and haven’t had a chance to really get to know many of our neighbors because of the pandemic. When we came home from the hospital after having our son, a neighbor we barely knew greeted us with cheers, a card, and gift. It was so thoughtful and classic Buffalo good neighbor behavior.
Q: Is there an organization (other than InBN) you are involved in?
Casi Hall, Graphic Design Specialist
A: For almost 10 years now I have been involved with Upstate New York AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts). I served on the board as a programming coordinator, Secretary, and Programming Director. I’ve met life-long friends, colleagues, and mentors from all over the state. “They say networking is key to finding work and excelling in your field, and being in involved in AIGA has been integral to my professional journey.”
Alexandra Williams, Administrative Assistant & Investor Relations Coordinator
A: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. It began with nine college students in 1908. Since then, it has flourished into a globally-impacting organization of nearly 300,000 members bound by sisterhood and a commitment to servant-leadership. Alpha Kappa Alpha maintains a focus in two arenas: the lifelong personal and professional development of each of its members; and galvanizing its membership into an organization of respect and influence, consistently at the forefront of effective advocacy and social change that results in equality and equity for all citizens of the world.
Q: What recent read would you suggest?
Greg Pokriki, Be in Buffalo & Public Relations Specialist
A: I just finished “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. “Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine was a pretty impactful read for me in college. I’d also recommend The Argument for Buffalo To Win The Metro Musical Chairs 😉
Casi Hall, Graphic Design Specialist
A: I’ve been listening to a lot of audio books on my dog walks. Most recently I finished “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. I’m also working on reading “The Martian Chronicles” by Ray Bradbury for the first time.
Jenna Kavanaugh, COO
A:. If I didn’t work for Invest Buffalo Niagara, I’d love a job where I could just read books every day! I recently finished “Educated”, a memoir by Tara Westover. It’s a relevant and timely read for many different reasons, providing a different perspective on life in America.
Kim Grant, VP Business Development
A: I highly recommend “Give and Take”, by Adam Grant. Even better than the golden rule of “do unto others as you would have done to you”, this book spells out how helping others has a direct impact on being successful.
Q: What is your hope for Buffalo Niagara’s future?
Sarah Larson, Marketing Manager
A: The renaissance continues, and it will. This means a collaborative, vibrant community where businesses are successful, people are innovative for the good of all, and our community’s children are surrounded with opportunity.
Rob Letest, Business Development Specialist
A: Our businesses and educators prepare our future workforce to not just be effective employees, but innovators who elevate our firms. The expansion of industry cluster types in our region to mitigate sector-specific dips, enhance our benefit from growth sectors, and create a recession-proof economy.
Thomas Kucharski, President & CEO
A: Everyone in the region commit to excellence and accept nothing less. That we utilize all of our resources in the region to become a globally recognized model of rejuvenation, and racial and social equity.
