Staff

Max Anderson is a first-generation American and lifelong New Yorker. Growing up at an intersection of ethnic identities and social systems, Anderson developed a passion for personal growth through linguistics, communication, and cultural mash-ups.

As Deputy Director, Anderson focuses on strategic planning, building community partnerships, training up-and-coming leaders, and oversight of administrative and financial matters.

Prior to joining Open Buffalo in 2014, Anderson spent about 10 years working at daily newspapers, most recently covering city governance, economic development, and criminal justice (focusing on community-police relations) as an editorialist for Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. He is proud to have helped create that newspaper’s award-winning Unite Rochester project.

In his spare time, Anderson volunteers as a board member for The Foundry, a community-based makerspace that fosters education and entrepreneurship, and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, which provides education, equipment access, and powerful art exhibitions. He also occasionally takes on freelance communication and promotional projects (writing, editing, and graphic design).

Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and French from the State University of New York: College at Geneseo, and a master’s degree in Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Photo by Alana Adetola Arts Photography, LLC.