Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology Announces Leadership Transition as President & CEO Gina Burkhardt Retires After Eight Years of Transformational Growth

Board of Directors Launches National Search for New Leader as Organization Reaches Historic Milestones

BUFFALO, NY – January 29, 2026 – The Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (BCAT) announced today that President & CEO Gina Burkhardt will retire after more than eight years of leadership that transformed the organization from a promising community arts program into a thriving workforce development and youth empowerment institution serving more than 300 students annually.

Burkhardt, who joined BCAT on October 31, 2017, worked closely with the board of directors since June 2025 to plan a strategic transition that positions the organization for continued growth and impact. The BCAT Board of Directors has formed a search committee to conduct a comprehensive national search for the organization’s next President & CEO.

“This is an exciting moment for BCAT,” said Michael Cropp, BCAT Board Chair. “Gina’s leadership has established a strong foundation of financial stability, programmatic excellence, and community trust. We’re now positioned to attract exceptional leadership that will take BCAT to new heights while honoring the mission and values that make this organization special.”

Under Burkhardt’s leadership, BCAT experienced dramatic growth across every measure. The organization’s annual revenue grew 3.5x, enabling expansion from two adult workforce classes to sixteen classes offering nine professional certifications. In the last year, More than 200 adults have graduated from BCAT’s workforce programs and secured employment. Youth programming evolved from an emerging after-school program to comprehensive career readiness and post-secondary transition pathways. Overall, student enrollment grew from 120 to more than 300 annually.

In one of the organization’s most significant achievements, BCAT relocated to a new facility after an extensive two-year search examining 26 properties. The move provided the physical infrastructure necessary to support expanded programming and growing student enrollment while keeping BCAT centered on Buffalo’s East Side.

The organization also launched an ambitious capital campaign that has raised $6 million toward an $8 million goal. The campaign, which began with a transformative $1 million gift from Key Bank in 2023, will fund continued program expansion and establish an endowment to ensure BCAT’s long-term sustainability.

“Organizations go through natural phases of growth, and BCAT is ready for its next level of leadership,” Burkhardt said. “We have incredible momentum: thriving programs, strong finances, a talented team, and deep community trust. This is the right time for new leadership to bring fresh energy and vision to build on what we’ve accomplished together.”

Burkhardt noted that her background in organizational development helped her recognize when an organization is positioned for leadership transition. “Smart leaders know when that moment arrives,” she said. “I’m confident that BCAT’s best years are ahead, and I’m excited to see what the organization becomes under new leadership.”

The board has formed a search committee comprised of board members Elizabeth Gurney, Joe Bach, Melissa Archer, and Michael Cropp. The committee is engaging a professional executive search firm to conduct a national search open to qualified internal and external candidates. The search process is expected to take approximately four to six months.

“We’re committed to a thorough, comprehensive process to find the right leader for BCAT’s next chapter,” Cropp said. “The incoming President & CEO will inherit an organization with strong financial health, excellent programs, talented staff, and a capital campaign nearing successful completion. They’ll have the opportunity to build on a tremendous foundation.”

BCAT’s programs and operations continue without interruption during the leadership transition. The organization remains committed to its mission of providing pathways to economic opportunity through arts and technology training for youth and adults on Buffalo’s East Side.

When asked what she would miss most about BCAT, Burkhardt spoke about the students. “Every class has its own personality, and it’s been a gift to watch students feel supported by BCAT, succeed in their programs, and go on to build better lives,” she said. “Whether we serve one person or a hundred people, seeing real transformation in people’s lives—that’s what makes this work meaningful.”

As BCAT moves through this transition, the organization’s leadership emphasized that the institution’s strength comes from multiple sources beyond any single individual. “Our committed board, talented staff, community partnerships, and students who show up ready to change their lives—that’s what makes BCAT work,” Cropp said. “All of that continues and grows stronger as we welcome new leadership.”

The search committee will provide updates on the search process in the coming months. Community members interested in learning more about the transition or the search process can contact Board Chair Michael Cropp at inquiry@bufcat.org.

About Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology

 Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology (BCAT) is a nonprofit organization that provides pathways to economic opportunity through arts and technology training. Centered on Buffalo’s East Side, BCAT serves more than 300 youth and adults annually through workforce development programs offering professional certifications and comprehensive youth programming focused on career readiness and post-secondary transition. Since 2017, about 1000 adults have graduated from BCAT’s workforce programs and secured employment. BCAT is currently completing an $8 million capital campaign to expand programming, establish an endowment, and ensure long-term sustainability. For more information, visit buffaloartstechcenter.org.