Our Team
The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. is the umbrella organization created in 2001 by the institutions located within the Medical Campus. Our not-for-profit organization fosters conversation and collaboration among our member institutions, their 12,000 employees, and the community; coordinates activities related to sustainable planning, development and enhancement of our 120-acre space; and works to create a distinct, innovative environment that provides opportunities for entrepreneurship and active and healthy living.
The BNMC, Inc. is led by a dynamic team dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable environments. The team is built around the core value – do what you love, love what you do. Learn more about us, and let us know if you have any questions.
Executive Leadership Team| Executive Assistance Team| Facilities Management Team| Community Impact Team| Communications Team| Transportation Team| Finance and Accounting Team
Executive Leadership Team
Matthew K. Enstice
Empowering Ideas for Significance
Matthew Enstice is the President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. In this role, he is leading a pioneering initiative to integrate health care services, life sciences, clean energy, and education in an effort to revitalize the city of Buffalo.
Through Matt’s efforts, local neighborhood leaders, foundations, multi-national corporations, NGOs, research labs, hospitals, and educational institutions are collaborating to create a model for re-energizing the city that has application all over America.
Prior to returning home to Buffalo, Matt worked in the entertainment industry in L.A. and New York, for Broadway Pictures and with Lorne Michaels at Saturday Night Live.
Matt holds a B.A. in English from Hobart College and a Master of Business Administration from Canisius College.
He is currently active on the boards of the SAGE Global (Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship), Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Elmwood Franklin School, and is on the Advisory Board for the School of Visual Arts Design for Social Innovation in New York City.
Matt is married and lives in Snyder, NY with his family.
Contact Matt at menstice@bnmc.org or 716.566.2315.
Patrick J. Kilcullen
Creating Insight, Strategy, and Solutions
Pat joined the BNMC team as the Chief Financial Officer in January 2013, utilizing his expertise in finance, human resources, information technology, operations, business development, and entrepreneurism. Pat offers strategic accounting analysis and management to the team as bustling developments and investment activities increase on the Medical Campus.
Pat most recently served as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, where he oversaw the implementation of a leading software suite for the real estate industry and managed financial and tax reporting for nearly 120 real estate investment entities. Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the Albright Knox Art Gallery, overseeing accounting, finance, information technology, human resources, security and building operations. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer for a privately held pharmaceutical company where he was responsible for structuring debt and equity financing, research and development and product license agreements, and negotiations for and the sale of company subsidiaries.
Pat received his B.B.A. in Accounting from Niagara University. He is a past member of the Niagara University Accounting Advisory Board and currently is a member of the Board for the Newfane Central School District and Lockport Ice and Sports Complex, Inc.
He resides in Newfane, NY with his wife and three children.
Contact Pat at pkilcullen@bnmc.org or 716.218.7154.
Patrick J. Whalen
Helping Make Dreams Come True
Patrick Whalen joined the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. (BNMC) as Chief Operating Officer in March of 2008. In addition to managing the BNMC day-to-day operations, Pat is the BNMC’s unofficial “entrepreneur–in-residence.” As such, Pat works to foster collaboration and job creation on campus and throughout the bi-national region. Pat also works to attract dynamic companies and people from around the world to the BNMC, especially to the Thomas R Beecher Jr. Innovation Center (TRBIC). Pat makes his expertise available to TRBIC tenant companies as well as other early stage companies.
With a passion for developing people and the local economy, Pat balances day to day demands of growth of the Medical Campus with a strategic approach to mentoring companies and helping the campus at large to reach its potential. As his business card confidently states, Pat is an “expert-idea generator” and he excels at connecting entrepreneurs, leaders, funders, and thinkers together to make growth happen on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
A serial entrepreneur, Pat has started over 20 businesses including Fulfillment Systems International (FSI), a logistics services provider offering marketing support, warehousing, distribution, freight forwarding, and transportation service to firms operating in the US, Canada, and Europe. FSI grew from a start up to a firm with annual sales of $20 million and over one hundred employees in five locations in North America and Europe before being sold to UPS in 2000. It is now part of UPS Supply Chain Services. He also served as a trade consultant for the World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, a community-based economic development organization which builds economic vitality through global trade.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, Canadian American Border Trade Alliance, and Continental 1. He was the secretary of the Direct Marketing Industry Working Group in Washington, D.C., and has served on the boards of the Rotary Club of Buffalo (twice), the American Red Cross Greater Buffalo Chapter, Bi-National Tourism Alliance, the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Alumni Association (twice) and Buffalo Niagara WorldConnect. He was the co-chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Logistics Council and conceptualized and co-founded Come-to-America which seeks to utilize the Buffalo Niagara region’s logistics assets to attract international companies. A Rotarian since 1986, he is currently a member of the Buffalo Sunrise Club.
He is a graduate of the University at Buffalo’s School of Management Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and attended Canisius College. Pat has two grown children, both living in the Buffalo area, and lives in Amherst with his wife, Barbara and dog, Yogi.
Contact Pat at pwhalen@bnmc.org or 716.218.7151.
Executive Assistance Team
Deborah Barlow
Enhancing Performance and Productivity
Debbie joined the BNMC, Inc. team in October 2011 as a temporary Receptionist. Moving from Receptionist to work in the Finance Department in January 2012, Debbie assists the Director of Finance and Senior Staff Accountant with bookkeeping, receipt tracking, and accounting software management, enhancing performance and productivity.
As the former Director of First Impressions at Buffalo Pediatrics, Debbie has experience helping expecting parents with scheduling appointments and maintaining insurance information, making sure they have everything they need so that they have a great birthing experience. Naturally an entrepreneur, she utilizes her cooking skills as the owner of Tasty Delights by Debbie, a successful business she has been running for 10 years.
She is a former member of the Community Action Organization Board where she served for a number of years.
Debbie is a lifelong resident of Buffalo and enjoys spending time with her family, amongst other activities such as ballroom and swing dancing.
Contact Debbie at dbarlow@bnmc.org or 716.218.7370.
Laura Sitzman
Facilitating Productivity
Laura joined the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. in October 2011. Laura brings her planning and administrative experience to the team in a way that fosters executive organization and productivity. In her role, she coordinates the BNMC Board of Directors and is responsible for being the essential communication arm that assists the President and CEO with agenda tasks, scheduling, research, and information distribution – all requiring a great deal of detail.
As an entrepreneur and volunteer, Laura lends her creative eye and servant mentality to many. In her former role of Assistant to the Director of National Events at the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, she was responsible for planning various initiatives where she also continues to offer her time. In addition to that position, she managed the graphics and administrative work for Faith Fellowship Church. She continues to operate her photography business and enthusiastically uses her visual acumen to assist with management of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus social media efforts and web site images.
She received her A.A.S. in Fashion Merchandising Management (Fashion Business) from Genesee Community College. Laura was born and raised in Western New York and currently resides in Alden, NY.
Contact Laura at lsitzman@bnmc.org or 716.566.2315.
Facilities Management Team
Krystle Kukoleca
Delivering Efficient Operations
Krystle joined the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. in August 2011. She brings her resourceful management experience to the team, providing assistance leasing space to business tenants within the Innovation Center. Krystle also ensures the vendor and contractor relations process is facilitated with professionalism and quality throughout the building.
While maintaining the daily facility operations of the Innovation Center, Krystle utilizes her marketing experience for building problem solving, delivering general and creative options to enhance functionality within areas of the Innovation Center. She is the face of the Innovation Center for those who enter the building, and as she assists with the overall property management duties, repeated project success is her goal.
A graduate from Canisius College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education, Krystle worked at Athena SWC as a Marketing Associate for five years prior to joining the BNMC team. She also has experience as a reading and phonics teacher where she sought to find effective ways to offer learning support to children at the Huntington Learning Center, Springville Elementary Site.
Krystle is a member of the Buffalo Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children. She is a Western New York native and lives in Hamburg.
Contact Krystle at kkukoleca@bnmc.org or 716.218.7810.
Jennifer Kutas
Leaving You With a Lasting Impression
Jennifer is the main of point of contact for the daily operations of the Innovation Center. After joining BNMC, Inc. in January 2011, Jennifer became depended upon for building, meeting, and tenant management, offering her organizational skills in an efficient way. She is committed to and known for leaving you with a lasting impression.
An integral team member of the BNMC, Inc., Jennifer helps to tell the story about the organization in a way that invites increased interest in the progress of the Medical Campus. In addition to managing the operational services, she also is responsible for payroll and human resource services for the BNMC, Inc., and will be working on the Innovation Center 2.
As the former Supervisor of Volunteer Services at Woman and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo where she worked for 13 years, Jennifer is well accustomed to servicing individuals in need of knowledge and resources. She is a Certified Administrator of Volunteer Services and an active member and past president of Western New York Chapter of Directors of Volunteers. She previously supervised nearly 650 volunteers at a 200-bed pediatric facility.
She is an active volunteer, often servicing organizations such as the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She resides in Buffalo.
Contact Jennifer at jkutas@bnmc.org or 716.218.7158.
Mark M. McGovern
Creating a Sustainable Environment
Mark became the 5th BNMC staff member in June of 2006. Mark is responsible for day to day contract administration and contractor oversight on BNMC Projects including: the renovation of 73 High Street, Core and Shell renovation of 640 Ellicott Street, the construction of the Multi Modal Transportation Structure at 134 High Street, and the construction of Ellicott Park.
Often viewed internally as the staff person most grounded in the minutia of details, Mark occasionally is able to venture “outside the box” and advance the Medical Campus’ Green Initiative, such as the installation of a 141 panel 25 Kw solar array at the Innovation Center and deployment of 21 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations campus wide.
A lifelong resident of the Southern Tier, he previously worked for a large general contracting firm, the L.C. Whitford Co. Inc. of Wellsville, NY. As the Landscape Superintendent, he was responsible for the design and implementation of dozens of commercial landscape projects ranging from corporate offices in Alpharetta, GA to the RiverWalk Plaza in Wellsville, NY. Prior to joining the L.C. Whitford Company he worked for a Landscape Architect in Ithaca, NY.
Mark received his A.A.S. in Landscape Development from Alfred State College and has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Alfred University. He is also a graduate of the University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning where he received his Master of Urban Planning. While at UB, he was a Graduate Assistant at the Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth involved in research and analysis for the Institute’s Regional Knowledge Network as well as the application of Geographic Information Systems to various projects.
Mark lives in the City of Buffalo with his wife Amy, and daughters Lily and Bridgette. He is a Board Member of the Allentown Association and sits on the Board of Directors of the Arts Services Initiative. Mark enjoys biking to work, mixing it up in the kitchen, golf, and gardening.
Contact Mark at mmcgovern@bnmc.org or 716.218.7153.
Eric Zwolinkiewicz
Maintaining an Innovative Environment
Eric joined in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. in February 2012. He is a native of Kaisertown, but he was born in Chula Vista, California. His primary role is to guarantee that maintenance intricacies and simplicities are addressed in a timely fashion, enabling quick and easy external and internal project completion rates, servicing the tenants of the Innovation Center. He does everything necessary to fix and prevent issues for BNMC, Inc. facilities.
As he establishes tenant relationships, he seeks to use his construction experience to proactively improve approaches and models used to sustain the Medical Campus for its long-life upkeep. Eric previously worked Clarence Wall & Ceiling as a foreman and carpenter where he was responsible for the construction seventy-five percent of the Innovation Center prior to and during its time of renovation, among other large construction project. He was also a foreman for Williamsville Pediatrics, The Electric Tower, and Fitness 19 in West Seneca. He is well-versed in installing and repairing equipment that may malfunction, and he thoroughly enjoys being the go-to guy for troubleshooting issues having to do with building and foundation infrastructure.
He completed the four-year ABC Construction program at the Tri Main building in downtown Buffalo, which gave him the opportunity to perfect his craft. He resides in West Seneca with his wife, Tiffany, and daughter, Ellie.
Contact Eric at ezwolinkiewicz@bnmc.org or 716.566.2310.
Community Impact Team
Jessie Hersher Gouck
Engaging Communities to Walk the Healthier Walk
Jessie joined BNMC in April 2010 and is the Project Coordinator for the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities (HKHC) grant initiative. She works to implement healthy eating and active living policy- and environmental-change initiatives that can support healthier communities for children and families. Jessie coordinates the Buffalo HKHC partnership, working with policy stakeholders including the City of Buffalo, Erie County, Buffalo Public Schools, the University at Buffalo, and many non-profit advocacy organizations.
Jessie has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and her Master’s in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo where she focused on planning healthy communities.
Contact Jessie at jhersher@bnmc.org.
Ekua Mends-Aidoo
Linking the Medical Campus to the Community
Ekua joined the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. in March 2011. Ekua is responsible for managing a wide-range of projects, including connecting the campus to the surrounding community, campus-wide wellness initiatives, workforce initiatives, and special events.
Prior to joining the BNMC, Ekua worked as the Interim Coordinator for the Office of Citizen Participation and Information for the Division of Citizen Services for the City of Buffalo. During her time there, she was involved in managing the Mayor’s Livable Communities Grant Program and coordinating events for Block Clubs, Civic Associations, and residents of the City of Buffalo.
Ekua has received a B.S. in Exercise Science and Health and Wellness from the University at Buffalo and continues to pursue a Master’s in Health Services Administration from D’Youville College, completing her program in May 2012. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Ekua now resides in Buffalo and serves on the Board of Directors for the Allentown Association.
Contact Ekua at emends-aidoo@bnmc.org or 716.218.7806.
Communications Team
Kari Root Bonaro
Communicating Creates Progress
Kari joined the BNMC in August 2007. She directs the media relations, branding, marketing, website, and other public affairs activities for the BNMC, Inc. and the Innovation Center, as well as handling special projects and government affairs.
Prior to moving back to Buffalo, Kari served as interim Director of Communications for New York University’s Child Study Center, where she worked to increase national public awareness and education of children’s mental health, market the Center’s clinical and research programs, and expand its national and local media coverage. She was previously a partner in the Washington, D.C.-based firm Polidais, where she provided media strategy, issues management, and legislative affairs services to clients in the fields of health care, science, and technological innovation. Prior to that, Kari was an associate at Burness Communications, providing communications consultation to non-profits focused on health policy and research, health care quality, children’s health, and the uninsured. She also managed public affairs for AcademyHealth, a not-for-profit international health policy and health services research center.
Kari holds a B.S. in Magazine Studies from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She is currently on the advisory committee for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership 360 program. She lives in Elmwood Village with her husband, son, daughter & dog.
Contact Kari at kbonaro@bnmc.org or 716.218.7157.
Transportation Team
Jamie Hamann-Burney
Enhancing Transportation Options
Jamie joined the BNMC in December of 2011 to help with planning and project implementation for the rapidly growing Medical Campus. Jamie’s work mostly focuses on improving transportation programs and infrastructure on the Campus and in surrounding communities so that employees and residents have better access to healthier, greener and affordable travel options. He also works on community development projects and other green initiatives on the Campus.
Jamie previously worked at the Urban Design Project where he aided in the creation of many local planning initiatives, including the Buffalo Green Code and the Richardson Olmsted Complex Master Plan. Jamie also has worked in the Office of the President at the University at Buffalo, where he helped develop UB2020’s Comprehensive Physical Plan, including planning for the expansion of UB facilities on the Medical Campus.
Jamie is from Buffalo, NY and currently resides in Allentown. He attended Hutch Tech High School where he specialized in architecture and engineering, and received a B.A. in Environmental Design and a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo’s School of Architecture and Planning.
Contact Jamie at jhamann-burney@bnmc.org or 716.566.2316.
William Smith
Improving Access to the BNMC
Bill joined the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc. in August 2008. Bill is responsible for overseeing the BNMC’s existing parking and transportation system as well as improving and developing new transportation options to ensure access for patients, visitors and employees.
Bill has received a B.A. in Environmental Design and a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo (UB). Prior to joining the BNMC, Bill worked as a Research Assistant for the Urban Design Project at the UB School of Architecture and Planning. During this time, he was involved in a number of significant planning projects throughout Western New York, including the UB2020 Comprehensive Master Plan, the WNY Southtowns Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan, the Orchard Park Economic Development Committee Strategy Plan, and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks 20 Year Restoration and Management Plan.
A lifelong resident of Western New York, Bill currently lives in Amherst with his wife Crystal and his children Alana and Adrian.
Contact Bill at wsmith@bnmc.org or 716.218.7155.
Finance and Accounting Team
Katharine D’Auria
Delivering Financial Accuracy
Kathy joined the BNMC, Inc. in October 2010. Her primary role is to assist with accounting functions, report preparation, and project reporting and funding. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo with degrees in Accounting and Human Resources Management.
Kathy has over 15 years of combined experience in bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes in the areas of healthcare, public accounting, and personal and corporate taxes.
Born outside of Detroit, Kathy has lived in her father’s hometown of Buffalo for the last 37 years. She and her husband, Mike, and children, Joseph and Sarah, reside in Lancaster.
Contact Kathy at kdauria@bnmc.org or 716.218.7354.