The Board of Directors of Buffalo Place approved the hiring of Peter Burakowski as the organization’s new executive director. Burakowski is taking the place of longstanding executive director Michael T. Schmand who retired in 2025 after nearly 30 years at the helm.
“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.
Burakowski most recently held a position at 43North (Buffalo-based accelerator program) as VP of Marketing & Organizational Strategy. During his time there, he was active in helping to grow 43North’s portfolio to more than 50 companies from across North America and around the world. He was also involved with the creation of the accelerator program’s annual startup competition. That effort has helped to raise more than $430 million in venture capital, while creating over 600 jobs in Buffalo…