Although Tisha Hulburd, who grew up on Buffalo’s West Side, was away from Buffalo for over 20 years, she and her husband Michael always thought at some point they would come back home. The couple spent 10 years in Pittsburgh, 10 years in parts of Florida, and a few years in Charlotte, with a few other locales mixed in. Tisha was building her career as an executive in the marketing space and wasn’t sure that Buffalo offered the same career path forward when she had moved away in 1999.

From a far, she watched that economic and opportunity landscape change. And she also watched her willingness to move back home change. In 2019, the couple bought a condo in Buffalo and began spending summers and holidays back home. Then, 2020 happened.

“I think the pandemic changed the thought process. It made a lot of people think about priorities,” said Tisha, who now was expediting her permanent move home, in large part to be closer to loved ones.

This time, Tisha was able to find the C-level marketing role she was searching for, accepting a role as Kickfurther’s Chief Marketing Officer. She landed in a condo in Amherst and is now in the process of moving to a home the couple purchased in Lewiston.

The largest part of Tisha’s reacquainting process with the region has come through exploring new wining and dining offerings.

“Buffalo punches above its weight class in food all day long,” Tisha said. “In a previous career I sold into municipal governments so I have been to hundreds of cities. Buffalo has the best food in the country easily.”

And although Buffalo is full of comfort food, the most comfortable part of Tisha’s relocation has been the community and people.

“Buffalo is all about the people. Everything else is extra. When you travel as much as I have and live in other places, you really appreciate that Buffalo is about community and people,” said Tisha.

What’s most surprising about Buffalo?

We have a great cultural scene. You’d be surprised. We have everything you could want, and it’s accessible, which is an important distinction. There are constant festivals and events, and always something to do.

What changed most about Buffalo while you were away?

The startup community has grown so fast and created so many new opportunities for individuals. I started my career in Seneca One Tower back when it housed HSBC and Marine Midland Bank, so to be back in it with Kickfurther – this growing startup – it’s really exciting.

Photo by Casi Hall