Gardens Buffalo Niagara Appoints Audrey Clark as First-Ever Executive Director

“This organization thrives on creativity, passion, and community spirit, and I am honored to lead it into its next chapter. GBN’s work is deeply rooted in fostering connections and revitalizing our city’s neighborhoods, and I look forward to continuing this mission alongside our dedicated board, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and especially the gardeners.”

Buffalo, NY – March 10, 2025 – Gardens Buffalo Niagara (GBN), a premier garden tourism and event-planning nonprofit organization, proudly announces the appointment of Audrey Clark as its first-ever Executive Director. 

With an extensive background in nonprofit event planning and community engagement, Clark is well-positioned to expand GBN’s reach and impact. She previously worked with the Michigan Street African American Corridor Commission and played a pivotal role in launching Mrs. Frances Nash’s Garden Basket Farmers Market. Her contributions also include growing the MLK Day of Service from a small street clean-up to a large-scale East Side initiative, organizing African American garden speaker events with the Martin House, and establishing the Friends of Jesse Clipper Square community stewardship group. In her role, Clark supervised scores of volunteers, led community programs, managed budgets, secured grant funding, collaborated with multiple organizations, and created organizational communications.

Clark has been an integral part of GBN for the past five years as its part-time administrative coordinator. During her tenure, she has been involved in nearly every aspect of the organization, from bookkeeping and event planning to fundraising and public engagement. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working with GBN for five years, and stepping into the role of Executive Director feels like a natural evolution,” said Clark. “This organization thrives on creativity, passion, and community spirit, and I am honored to lead it into its next chapter. GBN’s work is deeply rooted in fostering connections and revitalizing our city’s neighborhoods, and I look forward to continuing this mission alongside our dedicated board, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and especially the gardeners.”

Laurie Ousley, President of the GBN Board, added, “Gardens Buffalo Niagara has always been about bringing people together, creating beautiful spaces, and strengthening our communities. We are thrilled to have Audrey in this leadership role and are confident in her ability to guide GBN toward continued growth and success.”

Since its inception with Garden Walk Buffalo in 1995, GBN has been dedicated to fostering a culture of gardening by sharing gardens and cultivating community connections. The organization’s events, including the nation’s largest garden tour, attract an estimated 90,000 visitors to the region annually, having generated tens of millions of dollars in economic impact over the years. 

GBN’s Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants program, named for Garden Walk Buffalo’s founder, has awarded more than $150,000 to support community-driven beautification projects throughout Buffalo.

GBN’s signature events include Garden Walk Buffalo, Open Gardens in July, the East Side Garden Walk, the Garden Art Sale in partnership with the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Urban Farm Day, and Conservation Day on Bidwell Parkway. In addition, GBN actively promotes all 16 regional garden tours, further establishing Buffalo Niagara as a vibrant destination for garden tourism.

For more information about Gardens Buffalo Niagara and its initiatives, visit GardensBuffaloNiagara.com.