Restoration of antique wooden boats and canoes
Fredrick Law Olmstead Preservation Society Member
Restored an 1881 Carpenter Gothic Cottage on Chautauqua Lake
Birder, Gardener, Sailor,
Proud father of 5 children
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Edward Sirianno
175 South Grove St. East Aurora,NY
Summary
Transformational nonprofit executive, entrepreneur, fundraiser, and strategic leader with more than 30 years of experience guiding mission-driven organizations, cultural institutions, foundations, and conservation initiatives through periods of significant growth and reinvention. Recognized throughout Western New York and nationally for visionary leadership in nonprofit management, fundraising, branding, strategic planning, public engagement, and organizational development. Proven success securing public and private funding, building community partnerships, leading capital campaigns, strengthening governance, and elevating organizational visibility and impact. A collaborative and values-driven leader known for integrity, creativity, operational excellence, and an authentic passion for conservation, education, culture, and community stewardship.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
3
3
Certification
Work History
President
Publicis/Hawkeye, CCA
Executive Director
Buffalo Audubon Society
Western New York
01.2020 - Current
- Lead one of the region’s oldest and most respected environmental and conservation organizations, overseeing operations, fundraising, strategic growth, conservation initiatives, educational programming, board relations, public engagement, and stewardship of multiple nature preserves and facilities across Western New York.
- Selected Accomplishments:
- Helped secure and advance more than $3.2 million in public and private funding support for conservation, infrastructure, education, and organizational growth initiatives.
- Led transformational organizational growth during a critical post-pandemic period, including substantial increases in membership, donor engagement, and public visibility.
- Directed strategic planning and board restructuring efforts resulting in stronger governance, expanded leadership capacity, and long-term operational alignment.
- Guided major organizational rebranding and visioning initiatives, including the evolution of Beaver Meadow Nature Center into the Trillium Nature Center initiative.
- Oversaw development initiatives, public-private partnerships, advocacy efforts, and capital improvements supporting long-term sustainability.
- Managed staff, volunteers, operations, programming, communications, fundraising activities, and community partnerships across multiple properties and regional initiatives.
- Led successful annual giving and donor engagement campaigns, including a Giving Tuesday campaign that exceeded goals by more than double.
- Expanded public engagement through strategic storytelling, mission-driven communications, and community outreach initiatives.
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Future of Work Foundation
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Worked directly with the Founder and Board of Directors to launch and operationalize a new nonprofit organization focused on workforce development and educational innovation.
- Responsibilities included:
- Organizational development
- Fundraising strategy
- Program and curriculum planning
- Staff development and hiring
- Campaign planning
- Operational leadership
Founder, President & Chief Creative Officer
Creative Communication Associates (CCA)
Troy, New York
01.2005 - 01.2019
- Founded and led a nationally recognized strategic branding, marketing, and communications agency specializing in nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, healthcare systems, and foundations.
- Directed all executive operations, client strategy, financial management, growth initiatives, talent development, and business operations for an $8.5 million organization with 20–25 employees.
- Career Highlights:
- Built CCA into one of the leading nonprofit and higher education branding firms in the United States.
- Led strategic campaigns and fundraising communications for colleges, universities, foundations, and mission-driven institutions nationwide.
- Oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets, operational planning, and long-term business strategy.
- Successfully guided company acquisition through a major liquidity event involving Bertelsmann and Silicon Valley-based Hot Chalk, Inc.
- Received more than 500 creative and marketing effectiveness awards throughout career leadership.
Senior Vice President, Group Director
Wolf Group
01.1998 - 01.2005
- Directed strategic growth, operations, client services, and business development for nationally recognized advertising and branding agencies serving major consumer and nonprofit brands.
- Led high-performing teams and multimillion-dollar growth initiatives for nationally recognized organizations including Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, Ray-Ban, Zippo, and Häagen-Dazs.
Strategic Advisor, Branding & Campaign Development
Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Jamestown, New York
01.1984 - 01.1990
- Served as a key advisor during the founding and launch of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, helping develop branding, fundraising campaigns, public engagement strategies, and membership growth initiatives that established the institution’s early success.
Education
Master of Science - Integrated Marketing & Communications
St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure, NYBachelor of Arts - English & Education
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MarylandSkills
- Nonprofit Executive Leadership
- Fundraising & Capital Campaigns
- Public & Private Grant Development
- Board Development & Governance
- Strategic Planning
- Historic, Cultural & Environmental Stewardship
- Community Engagement & Public Relations
- Donor & Foundation Relations
- Operations & Financial Management
- Organizational Growth & Change Leadership
- Brand Development & Marketing Strategy
- Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Volunteer Engagement
- Public Speaking & Advocacy
- Leadership team building
- Organizational leadership
- Strategic planning
- Operational excellence
- Integrity and ethics
- Project management
- Budget management
- Company representation
- Strategic visioning
- Operations oversight
- Vendor sourcing and negotiations
- Financial management
- Staff management
- Media relations
- Capital and resource management
- Brand management
- Environmental awareness
- Stakeholder relations
- Campaign strategy
- Education advocacy
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Coaching and mentoring
- Public speaking
- Organizational restructuring
- Budgeting and cost control
- Marketing and advertising
- Relationship and team building
- Approachable leader
- Goal setting
Affiliations
- Foundation Board Member, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Advisory leadership roles supporting nonprofit, educational, and conservation organizations
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) — Advisory Council Service
- Community advocate for conservation, education, and regional cultural initiatives
Certification
- Advanced Google Analytics
- Google AdWords Certification
- Wilderness First Aid Certified
- CPR & First Responder Certified
- National Ski Patrol Certification
Interests
Timeline
Executive Director
Buffalo Audubon Society
01.2020 - Current
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Future of Work Foundation
01.2019 - 01.2020
Founder, President & Chief Creative Officer
Creative Communication Associates (CCA)
01.2005 - 01.2019
Senior Vice President, Group Director
Wolf Group
01.1998 - 01.2005
Strategic Advisor, Branding & Campaign Development
Roger Tory Peterson Institute
01.1984 - 01.1990
President
Publicis/Hawkeye, CCA
Master of Science - Integrated Marketing & Communications
St. Bonaventure University
Bachelor of Arts - English & Education
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
SELECT PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
More than 500 national creative and marketing awards, Multiple “Best in Show” recognitions in branding, communications, and campaign strategy, Recognized leader in nonprofit growth, strategic communications, and mission-driven organizational development