The Argument for Buffalo To Win The Metro Musical Chairs
A piece on how COVID and climate change are impacting demographic trends and how both paths may lead to Buffalo, New York.
Content
Strategic and results-driven communications professional with 9+ years of experience leading high-impact public relations, executive messaging, and brand campaigns. Proven storyteller and spokesperson skilled at crafting messaging, managing crisis response, and building region-wide engagement through integrated marketing and media campaigns.
A Buffalo Introduction and Bills Initiation
Originally, Lily was planning to head to Florida for the weekend of December 16. She didn’t have much planned, but had booked a flight, had a spot in a half marathon to run, and figured she’d fill the rest of her time enjoying the nice weather and exploring. She’s from New York City, an adventure-seeker by nature and had PTO to use before the end of the calendar year – why not.
That is until she received an email and text saying that she had won the Be in Buffalo Hometown Touchdown.
That is until she received an email and text saying that she had won the Be in Buffalo Hometown Touchdown.
Bell Ringer | Buffalo Business Podcast
Invest Buffalo Niagara's podcast that I created, developed, host, and produce featuring over 100 interviews with business leaders, elected officials, and more. Guests include City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, former American Medical Association President Nancy Nielsen, and AKG Art Gallery Executive Director Janne Siren.
The Series B(uffalo) Podcast
I serve as Deputy Editor of Series B(uffalo), a civic storytelling engine dubbed the "TechCrunch of Buffalo" and host its biweekly podcast. On the show, I interview the builders, doers, and creators powering Buffalo's economic resurgence.
Video
Video content that I have ideated, storyboarded, scripted, and managed the production of.
It Always Snows in Buffalo
A video I scripted and produced helping to dispel negative notions of Buffalo's weather, while also leaning into those long-held perceptions.
Why Move to Buffalo, from Those Who Have
Interviews conducted with newcomers to Buffalo to promote the variety of benefits to living in Buffalo.
In The News
Playing Offense: How Buffalo Flipped the Narrative on Its Weather
The latest episode of Talent Wars chats with Greg Pokriki, communications manager at Invest Buffalo Niagara, to discover how Buffalo is leveraging its weather to attract new residents and redefine its identity by positioning itself as a climate refuge. Greg shares how Buffalo, New York is flipping the script on a stereotype by going on the offense.
Live With Lighthouse: Greg Pokriki
Greg joins this week's #LiveWithLighthouse to discuss the motivations that drive businesses to open up shop in Western New York, the factors behind the "boomerang" movement of Buffalo natives who moved away and are now choosing to return home, and more.
Earned Media
I manage all of our public relations efforts both locally and nationally, and work with our C-level team on communication strategy, crisis communication, and executive remarks, among other responsibilities. Our work has earned dozens of national media placements, including in The New York Times, Innovation & Tech Today, and Fast Company, among others.
This city rarely reaches 100 degrees. It is now considered a 'climate refuge'
CNN's Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir visits Buffalo, New York, which has labeled itself a safe haven from climate change in the face of global warming threats.
Buffalo’s ‘Other Story’ Is Told in Redevelopment and Growth
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.
A decade-long effort to transform industrial relics is showing signs of progress and expanding the city’s population for the first time in 70 years.
BUFFALO — Buffalo was riding a decade-long economic turnaround when a racially motivated attack by a gunman killed 10 people in May, overshadowing the progress. While the city grieved, it also had to reckon with unflattering portrayals of the East Side,
A decade-long effort to transform industrial relics is showing signs of progress and expanding the city’s population for the first time in 70 years.
BUFFALO — Buffalo was riding a decade-long economic turnaround when a racially motivated attack by a gunman killed 10 people in May, overshadowing the progress. While the city grieved, it also had to reckon with unflattering portrayals of the East Side,
About Me
I'm a strategic communications leader with experience spanning public relations, executive communications, media relations, brand strategy, content development, and community engagement. Throughout my career, I've helped organizations tell compelling stories, build credibility, and drive meaningful growth across the technology, economic development, and nonprofit sectors.
As Director of Communications at TechBuffalo, I lead communications strategy, executive messaging, media relations, content development, and community engagement efforts for Western New York's technology ecosystem. I oversee staff and work closely with organizational leadership to advance initiatives that support innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and regional growth.
Prior to joining TechBuffalo, I spent nearly a decade at Invest Buffalo Niagara, the region's nonprofit economic development organization, where I held a senior communications leadership role. There, I led media relations, crisis communications, executive positioning, speechwriting, and content strategy, securing national coverage in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbes.
One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of was launching and managing Be in Buffalo, the region's award-winning talent attraction initiative. My work has been recognized through honors including Buffalo Business First's 30 Under 30, Leadership Buffalo, the American Advertising Federation of Buffalo's Future Star Award, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western New York's Rising Star Award.