Mo Sumbundu, '13, '17, serves dual roles for New York State, working both as an International Trade Manager with Empire State Development’s (ESD) – Global New York division and as the Director of Community Relations for Governor Kathy Hochul’s Western New York office.
His current position requires overseeing contacts between NY companies and ESD’s foreign offices, managing Export Marketing Assistance Service (EMAS) cases, interfacing with the regional U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other industry groups that provide export assistance.
Mo also serves as Director of Community Relations for Governor Kathy Hochul in the Western New York Region. He works to support the Governor’s Intergovernmental Affairs team to effectively promote the Governor’s priorities and policy strategies to critical stakeholders. He also helps coordinate and facilitate communications between the Governor, federal, state, local elected officials, and other stakeholders in the region.
He is responsible for attending events, meetings, and forums in the region on behalf of the Governor; planning, organizing, and overseeing regional visits for the Governor, and other senior members of the administration; and advising the Governor and senior members of the administration on local issues, political dynamics and other matters. He currently serves as the Governor’s liaison to the May 14th Tops mass shooting Memorial Commission.
Previously, Mo was the Assistant Director of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) of Western New York, where he worked to encourage business investment and job creation and support diverse local economies through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing, and other forms of assistance in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties.
As Assistant Director, Mo assisted with REDC oversight and provided staff support for ESD initiatives. He worked with community leaders and elected officials on ESD funding opportunities and served as a liaison between the WNY Regional Office and ESD’s offices in Albany and New York City. Mo also maintained an extensive portfolio of economic development initiatives that include the Downtown Revitalization Initiative Projects, Regional Council/Consolidated Funding Application, East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund and Restore NY. His responsibilities also include the Workforce Development Initiative Committee, REDC Talent Attraction and Retention Work Group, and the WNY Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) selection committee.
When the pandemic struck, he worked with companies to identify sources for PPE, responded to businesses that needed to understand the guidance put in place to keep communities safe, and played an important role in disseminating information about reopening. When the vaccines became available, Mo stepped up as a lead administrator at a vaccination site.
Mo is a recipient of the 2014 Changemakers 30 Under 30 in Western New York award, the Buffalo Business First 2018 30 Under 30 award, the 2019 SUNY Buffalo State Young Alumnus Achievement Award, and recognized on City & State’s 2022 Upstate Power 100 list. Mo also received the New York State Senate Liberty Award for his efforts in saving the life of a Buffalo woman who went into sudden cardiac arrest.
Volunteering is an important part of Mo’s life. He has worked with the Food Bank of WNY, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, New York City Department of Education’s Students in Temporary Housing program. He serves on the boards of the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve, the Buffalo State Council and is a member of the Hilbert College 2025 Advisory Council.