TalentRise Seeking Executive Director for Grassroots Gardens of WNY
March 17, 2026 – TalentRise has been retained by Grassroots Gardens of WNY (GGWNY) to lead in its search for a new executive director. GGWNY is seeking an executive director to provide strategic leadership and overall management for the organization. The next leader of Grassroots Gardens must be capable of responding to the multi-faceted needs of a land trust while also serving as a steward for those gardens already within the network.
The executive director will develop programs that sustain GGWNY’s mission and advance its strategic goals, and will oversee fundraising and development, fiscal management, staff leadership, and management of government and municipal relations. It is important that the next director supports and champions the organizational mission and its values.
A bachelor’s degree with seven years’ experience in a related field is preferred for this position. Candidates should have experience in fund development, grants/project management, and organizational development strategy. In addition, they must have experience in environmental sustainability, urban planning, community organizing, or urban agriculture and food systems.
Grassroots Gardens of WNY is a dedicated group of community gardeners and activists whose mission is to share knowledge, power, and resources to grow healthy food, heal systemic harm, and strengthen neighborhood connections through community gardens. GGWNY provides strategic leadership and overall management for a community garden network and urban land trust serving more than 100 community and school gardens across Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
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.
Related: TalentRise Assists SWBR with Chief People Officer Search
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.
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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. She has successfully directed major fundraising initiatives, including a $3.7 million capital campaign for the Knopp-Hailpern Science Center at the Park School of Buffalo, increasing gala revenue at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation through strategic sponsorships and helping secure the first $1 million dollar gift for Lockport Memorial Hospital.
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.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
