Brandi Haynes

Raised in Buffalo, Brandi is an alumnus of Hutchinson Central Technical High School and Alabama State University. Brandi serves as the Chief Programming Officer at the Community Action Organization of Western New York. She is responsible for managing and coordinating the work efforts across seven departments (Housing Development, Senior Services, Emergency & Family Services, Masten Resource Center, Data & Assessment, Community Engagement and Urban Agriculture) to ensure successful collaboration and integration of crisis management services at various CAO sites across Erie and Niagara Counties, designing processes and systems to ensure compliance with public and private funders and government regulatory agencies, as well as providing a one-stop portal for wraparound services to help individuals and families in crisis.

Brandi has 14 years of experience managing programs and services for low-income, homeless, and vulnerable populations. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at Persistence Preparatory Charter School and is a board member for the Resource Council of WNY and the Prevention Council of Erie County. Additionally, she is part of Cohort 11 of the Community Foundation’s Health Leadership Fellows Program. Brandi is currently pursuing a degree in Community and Human Services at Empire State University.

Brandi is also a fashion and lifestyle content creator and has been featured in national campaigns with brands such as Walmart, Old Navy, Express, Pepsi, Six Flags, Dove, Poshmark, Dick’s Sporting Goods, H &M, Cole Haan, G-Shock and Urban Decay just to name a few.

Brandi is an active member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) of Erie County, Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), and serves as a volunteer with the Erie County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). She holds a national certification as a ROMA (Results Oriented Measurements and Accountability) Implementer and is a certified National Family Development Credential Program Instructor. A graduate of the Harvard Business School Club of Buffalo’s Non-Profit Management Development Program, she has been recognized with several honors, including the Business First 40 Under 40 Award, the City of Buffalo Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. DREAM Award for Commitment to Service, and the Women Touching the World Award. Brandi is a member of the Buffalo Chapter of the NAACP, YNPN Greater Buffalo, and BN360. She is also a graduate of the inaugural class of the New York State Community Action Emerging Leaders Institute and a proud member of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 2020.