Buffalo Together, Inc. Announces the Appointment of Cindy Odomas its First President and CEO
Seasoned nonprofit executive brings extensive leadership experience to advance Buffalo Together’s Mission
Buffalo, N.Y., July 29, 2026 —The Board of Directors of Buffalo Together, Inc. (formerly known as The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Odom as its first President and CEO. In this role, Ms. Odom will oversee the organization and lead the implementation of Buffalo Together’s investment strategy. Developed with community input and released in 2025, the strategy focuses on increasing safety and resilience, addressing social determinants of health and generating wealth for Buffalo’s East Side.
Ms. Odom brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience with a strong focus on nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she served as an executive coach through Executive Insight Coaching, LLC, a firm she founded in 2017. Her work focused on coaching and professional development for executive, senior and mid-level leaders, helping them reach their professional goals.
Ms. Odom also served as President & CEO of New City Kids, Inc., Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Western New York, and The Girl Scouts of Buffalo and Erie County as well as the Chief Community Impact Officer at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, where she led the Community Impact team, including grant-making and the Foundation’s leadership initiatives. She also served as the Chief Advancement Officer of the Hillside Children’s Foundation, where she led a staff of nine and oversaw fundraising for Hillside Family of Agencies and its affiliates. In addition, she served as Executive Director of Hillside Children’s Center Western Region, overseeing a staff of 250 and more than 25 programs dedicated to serving youth, adults, and families, facing challenges related to trauma, poverty, and neglect.
Dr. LaVonne Ansari, PhD, Buffalo Together Board Chair, said, “Ms. Odom's experience, expertise and understanding of the local community are critical to this next phase for Buffalo Together. Throughout her career, she has been committed to strengthening communities and improving the lives of others through service and collaboration. As we move from planning to implementation, Ms. Odom's leadership, determination, and ability to bring community leaders together will be instrumental in advancing Buffalo Together's mission and strategies.”
Ms. Odom also has extensive volunteer and community service experience, including service on the boards of Canisius University, Buffalo State University College Council, the WNY Women’s Foundation, and the Buffalo Zoo. She is a graduate of the Wharton Business School Executive Leadership Program, a participant in the Not-for-Profit Institute Training at Stanford University, Canisius University’s Center for Professional Development’s Fundamentals of Fundraising, and Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business New Strategies Program-Revenue Generation for Nonprofit Executives.
Cindy’s successful career and community work have been recognized has been recognized and rewarded numerous times. These recognitions include Business First “40 under 40 Award” and was a 2006 Athea Award Nominee. Her recognitions also include a Leadership award from the city of Buffalo, Buffalo Business First Woman of Influence Award, Erie County Chapter of the Links inc., Community Champion Award for services to youth and the New York State Women’s Bar Association President’s Award for her work on behalf of women and people of color.
Born in Chicago and raised in Buffalo, Ms. Odom earned an M.S. in Management from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a B.A. in Psychology from Canisius College.
Buffalo Together recently became a 501c (3) nonprofit organization after being formed as The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund in 2022 in response to the racially motivated massacre at Tops Market on Buffalo’s East Side. The Fund was created through a collaborative effort of 14 local funding organizations to help build a more just and equitable community by addressing challenges on the East Side and investing in organizations and projects that strengthen the community.
About Buffalo Together:
Buffalo Together is a community-based organization committed to addressing the impacts of systemic oppression and advancing racial justice in Buffalo, NY. Through collaboration, advocacy, and empowerment, Buffalo Together works to create lasting change and support the revitalization of East Side neighborhoods. Learn more at buffalotogetherfund.org.
