Launch NY hires program manager, marketing & events manager

BUFFALO — Launch NY says it has hired two employees in management positions overseeing important initiatives. Cassidy Malough will serve as a Launch NY program manager with oversight over the Launch NY Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) and other client services programs, along with grant and data management. The organization has also named Taylor Griffith marketing and events manager, and she will be responsible for continuing to establish Launch NY’s brand presence as the only venture-development organization in upstate New York. Buffalo–based Launch NY says it has invested in more than 100 upstate New York startup companies since 2016 and plans to embark on another active year of dealmaking in 2024. “We’re so excited to bring Taylor and Cassidy onto the team and direct their talent toward this exciting sector of the Upstate New York economy,” Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO of Launch NY, said in the Jan. 7 announcement. “Launch NY continues to attract team members from diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs in our hometown.”

About the new hires

With more than six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Malough previously built and launched workforce-development programs at Goodwill Industries of Western New York Inc. She most recently served as a project manager at M&T Bank. Malough earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University at Buffalo (UB) and later returned to UB to complete a dual MBA/MSW degree program.  She also currently serves as vice chair of the Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals Group. Griffith is a “seasoned marketing and communications professional with more than 15 years of experience managing projects “from concept to completion,” Launch NY said. That experience includes multi-channel marketing efforts, planning and executing high-profile events, and developing messaging that “captures the heart of an organization’s mission.” Griffith most recently served as marketing and communications coordinator at Northland Workforce Training Center. She served locally as a B Team Buffalo and Social Media Club board member.  The SUNY Fredonia graduate also participated in the Leadership Buffalo Rising Leaders program and earned a Buffalo Business First ‘30 Under 30’ honor in 2015.

About Launch NY

Launch NY describes itself as the only nonprofit venture-development organization and U.S. Treasury-designated community development financial institution (CDFI) that “serves and directly funds” startups in upstate New York.  The core mission of Launch NY is to “identify, support and invest in high‐growth, high‐impact companies and to catalyze the entrepreneurial culture of upstate New York on behalf of job and wealth creation.”  Since its inception in 2012, Launch NY says it has served more than 1,740 companies which have gone on to raise more than $1.5 billion, generate more than $265 million in annual revenue, and support more than 5,300 jobs. Launch NY serves the 27 westernmost counties of upstate New York, which includes the Central New York counties of Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Cortland, Chenango, Tompkins, Broome, and Tioga.