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Betsy Behrend

Betsy Behrend

Senior Director for Operations and Communications

Betsy Behrend is Senior Director for Operations and Communications at Say Yes Buffalo. She has 20 years of marketing communications experience directing national and regional programs for nonprofits, corporations, foundations and government agencies in cities around the United States. Prior to officially joining the Say Yes Buffalo team Betsy played a key role in the launch of the initiative in 2011, in her previous capacity as communications director for the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

At the Community Foundation, Betsy directed all communications and marketing efforts and focused on connecting philanthropically minded individuals and families with programs to improve lives in Western New York. Additionally she provided strategic oversight for public education and awareness initiatives led by the Foundation including its Wipe Out Lead campaign, Cultures of Giving Legacy Initiative and GrowWNY.org.

Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Betsy worked for marketing communications firms in Washington, DC and Buffalo, NY providing high-level strategy, media relations, public education and social communications support to large private foundations, federal government agencies and national nonprofit organizations primarily in the health and education sectors. Highlights include a key role in creating and implementing Cover the Uninsured Week for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, developing the UB Believers alumni advocacy group for the University at Buffalo and directing a campaign to promote the adoption of children from foster care for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

In 2015, Betsy was named to Business First’s “40 Under 40” and her work has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, Association for Women in Communications, and the International Association of Business Communicators.

Betsy has volunteered her time toward the advancement of several Western New York nonprofit organizations and is currently a board member at Tapestry Charter School. Betsy is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She and her husband Scott live in North Buffalo.

Contact Betsy at [email protected] or 716-247-5310, ext. 209.

Leadership Team

Betsy Behrend is the Senior Director for Operations and Communications.

Dan Cross-Viola is the Director of Extended Learning and Quality Improvement.

Laura DeLuca is the Chief Financial Officer.

David Rust is the Chief Executive Officer and founding Executive Director.

Collin Gehl is the Director of Human Resources.

Christopher J. Lee is Data Director serving in a joint position with Say Yes Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools.

Amanda Paul is Senior Director of School-Based Services. She can be reached at [email protected] and at 716-468-0043.

Tanya Staples is the Senior Director of Community Schools.

Our Team

Becca Bass serves as both a Family Support Specialist and Grant Writing and Management Specialist for Say Yes Buffalo. In her role as a Family Support Specialist, she works directly…

Christine Waikiki is South/West Zone Leader.

Ariel Peters is Community Schools Specialist.

Jamien Eutsey is Interim Youth Sports Management Supervisor.

Contact Us

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