President, Management

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North is a Buffalo, New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to attracting and retaining high-growth startups, creating jobs, and strengthening Western New York's innovation economy. Founded in 2014 as part of New York State’s Buffalo Billion initiative, 43

North has become a defining force in Buffalo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through its nationally recognized startup competition, the organization has invested $5 million annually in early-stage companies while bringing founders, investors, talent, and new businesses to Western New York.

Over its twelve-year history, 43

North has built a portfolio that includes a unicorn and a publicly traded company, helped establish Buffalo as a destination for entrepreneurs, and created meaningful connections between the region and the national venture capital and startup communities. As 43

North enters the final chapter of its current organizational structure, it has an opportunity to celebrate and amplify the impact of its twelve-year history while ensuring that the companies, relationships, talent, and economic momentum it has helped create remain deeply connected to Western New York.

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North is seeking their next President to serve as the organization’s chief executive and lead it through an important and highly visible final phase. This is a unique executive leadership opportunity requiring equal parts strategic leadership, organizational stewardship, external relationship management, portfolio engagement, community leadership, and thoughtful change management.

The President will have overall responsibility for 43

North’s strategy, operations, marketing and communications, portfolio management, financial health, partnerships, and broader impact across Western New York.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, New York State, Empire State Development, corporate partners, venture capital relationships, portfolio company founders, and the Western New York business community, the President will ensure that 43

North’s final year of operations reflect the significance of the organization’s twelve-year contribution to Buffalo’s startup ecosystem.

A critical component of the mandate will be developing and executing a thoughtful wind-down of the organization, with operations concluding in January 2028. This includes supporting portfolio companies in building lasting roots in Western New York, preserving key relationships and institutional impact, supporting employees through the transition, and ensuring 43

North’s accomplishments are appropriately celebrated and communicated.

The President will also serve as one of the organization’s most visible ambassadors, representing 43

North and the Buffalo Niagara startup ecosystem locally, nationally, and globally.

• Lead 43
  
  North through its final year of operations, translating strategic priorities into clear and actionable plans across the organization.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to celebrate 43
  
  North’s twelve-year history, its impact on Western New York, and the success of the companies built and grown in Buffalo.
• Establish clear goals, milestones, and success metrics for the one-year sunset of the annual 43
  
  North competition and broader organizational operations.
• Develop strategies that strengthen the long-term retention of portfolio companies and deepen their relationships within the Western New York Community.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors and key stakeholders to navigate structural, operational, and programmatic transitions.
• Preserve the relationships, knowledge, and ecosystem impact created by 43
  
  North so that its influence continues beyond the organization’s formal conclusion.
• Ensure a high-quality experience for 43
  
  North…