Buffalo Place Names New Executive Director: Peter Burakowski, Economic Development, Nonprofit, Startup, and Marketing Leader is Board’s Selection

Buffalo Place Inc. Names New Executive Director: Peter Burakowski, Economic Development, Nonprofit, Startup, and Marketing Leader is Board’s Selection

Appointment Finalized at Buffalo Place Board of Directors Meeting

Buffalo, New York: On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Board of Directors of Buffalo Place approved the hiring of Peter Burakowski to replace long-tenured Executive Director Michael T. Schmand. After nearly 30-years at Buffalo Place, Schmand retired at the end of 2025.

“A priority for our candidate choice was someone with the vision and experience to increase Buffalo Place’s impact on creating an even more vibrant and active Downtown,” said Search Committee Chair Chris Jacobs.

The Search Committee placed a high priority in identifying a candidate who would be impactful in event activation. The committee was impressed by Burakowski’s work while at 43North helping create their annual startup competition event. Held each year at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, the 43North Finals are now a marquee event bringing thousands to Downtown Buffalo. While working at the Buffalo History Museum, Burakowski played a key role in the growth of the Museum’s successful “Party on the Portico” event series.

The search committee also saw Burakowski’s deep ties with the region’s growing startup/tech community as an asset for Buffalo Place’s mission. “We want as many 43North spin offs to stay in Downtown and we believe Peter is naturally positioned to make that a reality,” said Buffalo Place Board Chair Steve Carmina.

Burakowski brings more than 20 years of experience in economic development, nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and marketing. He currently serves as the University at Buffalo’s Director of Startup Ventures. In this role, he and his team have invested in more than 40 startups across the Western New York region. Before his time at UB, Burakowski served as VP of Strategy and Co-Founder of HELIXintel, a fast-growing online B2B software platform for tracking the maintenance of equipment in buildings.

In 2014, he launched 43North’s $5 million startup competition as part of a team of four people. For six years, he served as VP of Marketing & Organizational Strategy, helping to grow 43North’s portfolio to more than 50 companies from across North America and around the world. These companies raised more than $430 million in venture capital and created over 600 jobs in Buffalo. He also helped create 43North Finals, which attracts 3,000 attendees each year.

Prior to 43North, he headed up media relations for Visit Buffalo, served as the Director of Communications for the Buffalo History Museum, and held marketing positions in the advertising and music industries. He holds a B.S. in management and international business from Canisius University and he was a recipient of Business First of Buffalo’s 40 Under 40 and IDEA awards.

“We see many of Peter’s past roles and relationships as folks we want to partner with for Downtown,” said Jacobs.

“I am tremendously excited to roll up my sleeves to help make Downtown Buffalo a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant district, both today and for generations to come,” said incoming Buffalo Place Executive Director Peter Burakowski. “Buffalo Place has a fantastic staff, board, and community partners. Together, we will be ambitious, strategic, forward-thinking, and creative to ensure that Downtown is the ideal place to live, work, and play.”

Founded in 1982, Buffalo Place is a not-for-profit created to improve the economic health and quality of life in Downtown Buffalo. The majority of Buffalo Place’s funding comes from an additional tax on property owners in the Downtown core. Burakowski will begin his tenure during the last week of April.