About Us

Assistant Manager for Transportation and NFTA.

Jacob joined the BNMC team in July 2024 as Assistant Manager for Transportation and NFTA, overseeing parking and transportation logistics for the medical campus. His responsibilities include managing NFTA passes, assisting with account signups, handling portal requests, and responding to transportation inquiries campus-wide. Eager to learn and grow in his role, Jacob is enthusiastic about supporting BNMC’s mission and exploring the opportunities within the medical campus.

Jacob graduated from Buffalo State University with a bachelor’s degree in arts and Letters, focusing on Theater and Communication, with a minor in Leadership and Film—skills he looks forward to using and expanding throughout his career. Passionate about the arts, Jacob has worked with several local theaters as a stage manager, stagehand, film manager, and actor. He warmly welcomes you to any future productions he’s a part of.

Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jacob brings a multicultural perspective to his work and is fluent in both French and Haitian Creole. Outside of work, he enjoys unwinding with video games and anime.

Zach joined BNMC in November 2020. His main area of focus is on keeping the campus clean, safe, and accessible. He was born and raised in Palm Desert, CA, and later moved to Orchard Park, NY. Zach enjoys spending with his wife and pets, as well as amusement parks, camping, and a good bingeworthy TV show.

Planning and Program Manager

As the Planning and Program Manager for BNMC, Shania helps manage planning and projects related to transportation, placemaking, real estate, and infrastructure improvements throughout the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. She is an advocate for equitable and accessible transportation and is committed to creating a positive impact within the WNY community.

Shania graduated from the University at Buffalo with a master’s degree in Urban Planning and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Design. She was born in the Philippines, grew up in the Bronx, New York, and has lived in Buffalo since the start of her higher education career. In her spare time, Shania enjoys drawing, painting, and going on walks with her dog, Greyson.

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED PROGRAMMING FOR HEALTH &WELL-BEING

Purnima Mohan is the Health and Well-Being Program Manager at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC). She is passionate about healthy living and embodies healthy eating and mindful living. She acts as a change agent to make the district and surrounding community a healthier place for all. She helps plan, develop, coordinate, and implement health and well-being programs. She works with internal team members and external partners for the department’s initiatives in Lifestyle Medicine, Corporate Wellness, Local Food Systems, and Community Health. She helps design, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive slate of programs for the campus community across the different dimensions of health and well-being.

Nadine is the Staff Accountant at BNMC responsible for various accounting functions.  She has worked as a Staff Accountant most of her career in a variety of industries including insurance, health care, and real estate. Outside of work, Nadine enjoys spending time with her family and her pets. 

Madison joined the BNMC team as Office Manager in February 2023. She graduated from Buffalo State University in December of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, she majored in International Relations with a concentration in Peace and Conflict and minored in French and Painting. Madison was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. While attending Buffalo State, Madison was a Buffalo State Rowing Club team member and is now an Assistant Coach for the Buffalo State Rowing Club/ West Side Rowing Club. Madison is passionate about advocacy and during her time in college she joined the New York Public Interest Group after graduating, she interned at the Erie County Legislature office. 

Jean Carlos Rios is the Program Manager for IC Success at the BNMC. Jean graduated from Canisius College with a degree in Entrepreneurship and a minor in economics. Through relationship building and networking, he has managed to be a part of several great organizations like 43North, Mongoose Research, and Burner Fitness and developed skills as a Ux/Ui Designer. He was born and raised in La Isla de el Encanto, where family values were instilled from a young age and shaped his life. He lives an active lifestyle participating in several basketball leagues. With a passion for helping others, he looks to inspire and help people tap into their full potential.

Chief Executive Officer

Empowering ideas for significance

Matt is the President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc., a pioneering organization that has become a powerful engine of revitalization in Buffalo. Matt is focused on the intersection of energy, entrepreneurship & technology, and how it will drive the new economy in Buffalo and beyond. Matt has led the non-profit organization since its formation in 2002 to address shared issues among Campus institutions. Today, Matt oversees a team focusing on diverse, interrelated initiatives designed to lift the entire community including those in transportation, access and safety; energy, entrepreneurship, health & active living, infrastructure, economic opportunity, and youth & education. Under Matt’s leadership, foundations, private enterprises, research labs, local community leaders, hospitals, and educational institutions are collaborating to create a model for re-energizing the city that has applications all over America. Prior to returning home to Buffalo, Matt worked in the entertainment industry in L.A. and New York, for Broadway Pictures and with Lorne Michaels at Saturday Night Live. He is currently active on the boards of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation. Matt also serves as a commission member on the U.S. Commission on Transportation Sector Efficiency, part of the Alliance to Save Energy; and on the Advisory Boards for Niagara University, Daemen College, and the School of Visual Arts Design for Social Innovation in New York City. Matt is married and lives in Buffalo with his family.

Facilities Site Manager

Harmony joined the BNMC team in October of 2020 as the Facilities Site Manager responsible for tenant operations and maintaining a safe and innovative working environment. Harmony takes great pride in working directly with tenants to help their business succeed and grow on campus. Prior to joining the BNMC, Harmony oversaw the research labs at 73 High Street, and was a Project Manager with Buffalo Biolabs. Harmony received his Bachelor’s degree from Fredonia State University and Project Management certification at the University of Buffalo. An active member of Buffalo’s thriving music scene, Harmony lives in the Parkside neighborhood with his wife, son, and rescue pooch.

Chief Strategy Officer

Jamie Hamann-Burney is a convener and partnership builder who provides executive leadership in the world of innovation districts, strategic planning, and transportation demand management.  He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for BNMC. His work here is multifaceted:  He works with the BNMC team on both short and long-term strategic planning; on ensuring BNMC’s structure and operations support the fulfillment of the organization’s goals; and leads BNMC’s efforts related to master planning and management of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.  This includes infrastructure and real estate planning, placemaking and public space management, public safety, and oversight of the BNMC Transportation System, which has over 5,000 parking spaces and a robust transportation demand management program focused on improving access to healthy, sustainable, and inclusive transportation options. 

Jamie is from Buffalo, NY, and holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Design from the University at Buffalo.  He is a Board Member of the City of Buffalo Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board; Secretary of the Board of Directors for WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable; and President of the Board of Directors for Shared Mobility Inc., which works with communities throughout the country on the development of equitable shared mobility services.

Controller

Everyone counts!

Trent joined BNMC Inc. in June 2019 as a Staff Accountant, responsible for various accounting functions, including processing accounts payable invoices, entering journal entries, assisting in the monthly close process by completing reconciliations, and more. Prior to joining BNMC, Trent was a Staff Accountant at Mark I Adamchick, CPA & Associates, in Springville, NY where he gained experience in the field. He holds a Master of Science in Professional Accountancy from Daemen College, where he also worked as an IT Helpdesk Trainer, responding to technological issues, and training new staff. In his spare time, Trent enjoys golfing and riding motorcycles. Trent resides in Lancaster with his wife Tiffany

Chief Financial Officer

Creating insight, strategy, and solutions

Pat joined the BNMC team as the Chief Financial Officer in January 2013, bringing his expertise in finance, human resources, information technology, operations, business development, and entrepreneurism to the BNMC’s operations. Pat offers strategic accounting analysis and management to the team as investment activity increases and the Medical Campus grows. Prior to joining the BNMC, he served as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, where he oversaw the implementation of a leading real estate software suite and managed financial and tax reporting for nearly 120 real estate investment entities. Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the Albright Knox Art Gallery, overseeing accounting, finance, information technology, human resources, security and building operations. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer for a privately held pharmaceutical company where he was responsible for structuring debt and equity financing, research and development and product license agreements, and negotiations for and the sale of company subsidiaries. Pat is currently a member of the Board of NAIOP Upstate New York, the Martin House Finance Committee, and is a past Trustee and Board President for the Newfane Central School District, Board member of Lockport Ice and Sports Complex, Inc., and member of the Niagara University Accounting Advisory Board. He resides in Newfane, NY with his wife.

Director of Health & Well-Being

Community collaboration cultivates health

Beth Machnica, Director of Health and Well-Being at BNMC, leads the development and growth of various healthy eating, active living, and well-being initiatives on the Medical Campus and surrounding community. Beth develops strategies and programs to create and transform workplaces, community settings, and institutions into places of well-being. She has broad experience working in corporate wellness, community food access, public health research, social design, and food systems. Beth is committed to serving the community to advance policies, environments, and cultures that favorably shift human health outcomes and equity. Beth is a Registered Dietitian with Masters’ degrees in Public Health and Clinical Nutrition from the University at Buffalo.

Chief Innovation Officer

Digital Artisan

As Chief Innovation Officer of the BNMC, Sam Marrazzo is looking to the future. With a focus on driving economic opportunity to position local companies for future growth and attract young people to the area, Sam leads BNMC’s efforts to develop an innovative, reliable and secure information technology environment at BNMC and throughout the community. Sam develops innovation strategy and fosters collaboration with industry, education and start-ups to help local organizations prepare for, and capitalize on, current and future technologies. Sam is helping local companies re-think their business practices and cultures in order to optimize their positions in a fast changing world Sam has broad experience working in accounting and supply chain systems, logistics, sales, transportation and information technology and has worked at Fortune 200 companies including Praxair, Avnet, and McGraw Hill. His roles have included IT Management and Strategy, project management, architecture consulting and development practices. He has lectured on technology for UB and has been instrumental in attracting and organizing technology-focused events to the area including the 2017 TopCoder Open. He has a BA degree in Business Systems from Daemen College and an MBA from SUNY Buffalo School of Management and served in the United States Navy.

Director of Strategic Communications

Maria joined the BNMC in November of 2020. A graduate of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, she has been in the marketing and communications field for more than twenty five years and has held positions in a range of industries. Most recently, she was director of Communications at Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Art Gallery, a position she held for fifteen years, leading the museum through a number of branding and strategic communications initiatives. Since joining the BNMC, Maria has been leading a branding and redesign project that will prepare the organization for its next phase of development supporting the entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators that will spearhead the next wave of economic growth and development in Buffalo. Maria has served on several boards and committees, including the Marketing Committee for Visit Buffalo Niagara. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks with her family and their dog, Maisie.

Chief Network Officer

Healthy Communities Make Healthy Cities

Kyria Stephens is the Chief Network Officer for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC). He has been a leading voice in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at a number of Western New York organizations since 2010. Kyria works to ensure that small businesses, especially Women and Minority-owned businesses have access to the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed.

Kyria is also an entrepreneur, ordained minister, former Family Pastor, worship leader, and former touring musician. He is a published devotional writer, and his opinion pieces on Inclusion and Public Policy have appeared in various local and national publications.  

Kyria’s mission in life is to create and foster environments and experiences where people can develop meaningful relationships and integrate across numerous networks because he believes strong relationships are the currency of life.

Kyria attended Buffalo State College and has earned certifications in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. He has provided his expertise to several boards and committees and speaks regularly at conferences and symposia nationally and internationally.

Digital Communications Manager

Adriana A. Viverette the Digital Communications Manager in the BNMC’s Marketing & Communications Department. She develops and implements the digital strategies that support the mission and vision of the BNMC, amplifying our work in Buffalo and beyond. Adriana’s digital communications career began with her tenure at the Community Action Organization of Western New York where she served as the social media coordinator. She later advanced her career in digital communications and marketing working with clients like New Era Cap Company, Say Yes of Buffalo, Sirius XM, and several small businesses, charter schools, and higher education institutions where she also served as an adjunct professor teaching Digital Communications and Marketing. In addition to her career in digital communications and marketing, Adriana is a seasoned Journalist and Radio Broadcaster for local and national media outlets. Adriana is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Leadership Buffalo Chair, Buffalo Association of Black Journalists. She is also a board member at PeacePrints of WNY and the Medaille College Alumni Board. Adriana holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Buffalo and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Medaille College.

Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Juweria Dahir is a dynamic leader in the world of innovation, entrepreneurship, and governance. She serves as the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, where she oversees IC Success, and continues to drive economic and social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship. She supports entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey to launch, build and grow. Additionally, she is an Adjunct Professor of Business and Entrepreneurship at Daemen University, where she shares her expertise with the next generation of leaders.

With a background in business development, fundraising, and executive leadership, Juweria is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience. She has successfully led many companies in her portfolio and has a proven track record of managing large teams effectively. Additionally, her passion for community engagement and connecting donors with mission-driven impact sets her apart, as she works tirelessly to foster a thriving local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Prior to joining the business sector, Juweria spent 6 years in government, where she put her skills and expertise to work for the benefit of the community. As a City Planner and External Affairs Manager for the City of Buffalo, she served as a key advocate for policies that would help cities, neighborhoods, and businesses thrive. Juweria leveraged her background to work towards scaling government solutions, growing the workforce through economic development initiatives, and implementing neighborhood beautification and restoration projects.

Juweria holds a Masters from the School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo and has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the Buffalo Niagara community. She is the recipient of several awards, including the 2022 Buffalo Business First IDEA Awards, the 2021 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, the 2021 LISC Community Builder Award, the 2019 Business First “30 Under 30” Award, and the 2015 Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals Community Engagement Award.

In her free time, Juweria leads H.E.A.L. International, a non-profit organization focused on women empowerment, economic development, and youth enrichment programs, where she works with disadvantaged communities to promote self-sufficiency. Juweria brings a unique blend of strategy, creativity, and is a skilled public speaker, community builder, and is fluent in four languages. With her passion for helping others, Juweria is dedicated to making Buffalo a better place for all residents.