Our Leadership

We believe in collaboration, respect, diversity, and equal opportunities for all.

L. Nathan Hare

President/CEO

An activist, social critic, executive administrator, author and one of New York State’s most notable non-profit leaders, L. Nathan Hare is the President and CEO of the Community Action Organization of Western New York, Inc., one of the largest social service agencies in the area. A lifelong resident of the City of Buffalo, Hare has been involved in some aspect of youth employment, youth training and education, foster care, or juvenile justice for more than 35 years.

Hare has served as President and CEO of the Community Action Organization since 2002 and it stands as one of the oldest and most successful anti-poverty organizations in the nation. Under his tutelage, CAO’s workforce has grown to well over 800 employees serving 46,000 individuals and families annually. In 2011, Hare opened St. Martin Village, a newly-built, 60-unit, affordable-housing development at the site of the former German Roman Catholic Orphan Home and most recently, expanded its Head Start program to now include Niagara County. His integrated approach to poverty alleviation by addressing its complex and interrelated causes has made him one of the most sought-after experts in New York State’s War on Poverty.

Adding a depth of understanding to the country’s changing paradigm on education, employment, urban culture, youth, politics and national issues, Hare is known for his thought-provoking perspective as the popular host of four weekly public affairs shows: Living Now with L. Nathan Hare on WUFO-AM, The World of Community Action on WBLK-FM & Spectrum Cable and Think Again with L. Nathan Hare on WWKB-AM.

Hare holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Medaille College and a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix.