TalentRise Assists the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology with CEO Search
October 9, 2026 – TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Denise Harris as president and CEO of the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT). The search follows the planned retirement of the organization’s current CEO, who has provided dedicated leadership to BCAT and its community mission for nearly 10 years. “Denise stood out early in a thorough search, and it wasn’t difficult to see why,” said Michael Cropp, BCAT board chair, and president and CEO for Independent Health. “I firmly believe the best leaders set both strategy and culture, and Denise has a proven track record on each. She brings deep expertise in career development, a real gift for building trust, and a genuine belief in the people BCAT serves. She’s exactly the leader to take this organization to its next level.”
Dr. Harris has more than two decades of experience in higher education and career development. She joins BCAT from Buffalo State University, where she has served as director of the career and professional education center for the past six years, part of a 23-year career in higher education that has spanned Hofstra University, Long Island University, Hilbert College, and D’Youville University.
Her arrival brings a sharpened focus on connecting people directly to in-demand allied health and information technology careers, on strengthening the employer partnerships that turn training into employment, and on growing BCAT’s youth programming, helping young people discover their talents and build toward what comes next.
“At a moment when so much of the conversation is about technology, people are craving creativity, connection, and face-to-face experience,” Dr. Harris said. “What I love about BCAT is that it doesn’t treat the technical and the creative as a choice. It gives adults real pathways into careers and gives young people a place to grow through the arts. It’s both, and that’s rare. My vision for BCAT is to instill a sense of hope, excitement, and a feeling of belonging. The power of giving someone hope about their future is priceless.”
The Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology is a mission-driven non-profit dedicated to creating stable, hopeful futures for youth and adults in the Buffalo community. It provides free, high-quality arts and technology programming for high school students through its Youth Arts & Technology Program (YAP). Similarly, workforce development training for adults is delivered through its year-round Adult Workforce Program (AWP), which allows participants to obtain nationally recognized certifications and family-sustaining careers in allied health and IT fields such as pharmacy technician, medical administrative assistant, phlebotomy, IT tech support, networking and security.
Using Data-Driven Insights
Founded in 2008 in Chicago, TalentRise provides executive search, interim executive placement, and talent consulting. The firm’s talent optimization model uses data-driven insights to align people and organizational strategies for optimum performance. TalentRise supports companies in nearly every vertical — retail, manufacturing, technology, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, E-commerce, and more — with custom and comprehensive talent acquisition solutions.
TalentRise Assists Grassroots Gardens of WNY with Executive Director Search
TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Megan Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens of WNY. “We’re thrilled to announce Meg Kelly as the new executive director of Grassroots Gardens WNY,” the organization said. “Meg brings experience to our garden network from her work with the region’s business and entrepreneurship community, and enters her role with structured transition support from our board and outgoing executive director, Timothy Chen.” Ms. Kelly is a Buffalo, NY-based operator and community builder with a background in helping organizations bring clarity to complex projects, strengthen internal operations, and build sustainable systems.
As president, Peter Petrella oversees company strategy, drives growth initiatives, and enhances TalentRise’s service offerings to meet the needs of their diverse client base. He plays a critical role in the TalentRise growth plan by cultivating C-level, investor, and board of director relationships with companies looking to acquire senior leadership talent for their business. Mr. Petrella brings over 23 years of experience in a variety of business sectors including sports, healthcare, startups, scaleups, and technology. His areas of expertise include management, sales, marketing, IT, software, and strategy.
ECMC Foundation Search
Following a national professional search process, TalentRise has assisted in the recruitment of Julie R. Berrigan as executive director of ECMC Foundation in Buffalo, NY. The foundation received strong interest from a broad range of highly experienced candidates. Ms. Berrigan emerged from that process as the consensus individual to serve as the foundation’s new executive director. Serving most recently as director of the NCCC Foundation, Ms. Berrigan is an accomplished development professional with over 15 years of experience in healthcare, education, and non-profit sectors across Western New York.
The ECMC Corporation was established as a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and since 2004 has included an advanced academic medical center with 573 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility.
Related: TalentRise Assists ECMC Foundation with Executive Director Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
