This spirit is one that has continued to guide Jason Wilson throughout his years as a leader in Buffalo's real estate development and historic preservation fields, and now, as his professional insterests have shifted to humintarian relief work.

In addition to humanitarian relief work, Jason's current professional interests include studying climate-induced migration of populations following natural disasters, exterme weather events and rising sea level. Between 2017 - 2018, Jason volunteered with All Hands and Hearts - Smart Response, a natural disaster relief NGO, participating in six programs as well as serving as a member of the organization's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). 

Jason has also been an active member of Western New York's real estate development and historic preservation community since graduating from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning in 2009. He has put his Environmental Design BA and Architecture minor to good use having been involved in a wide range of projects aimed at renovating historic buildings, advocating for community-led, livable neighborhoods and smart urban design.

After graduating from UB, Jason worked as a Project Manager at historic preservation consulting firm Preservation Studios where he helped facilitate the creation of Local, State and Federal historic districts as well as managed client's historic revotation projects through the historic tax credit program. Between 2012 - 2014, Jason served as the Director of Operations for the non-profit Preservation Buffalo Niagara where he provided techincal services to the community, planned workshops and conferences, and led various advocacy initiatives including the 'Save Trico' campaign.

Jason previously co-founded two real estate development company, Buffalove Development and Common Bond Real Estate, both of which focused on renovating underutilzied or abandoned historic properties in the City of Buffalo. Additionally, Jason has volunteered extensively in the Western New York community as a founding member of Buffalo's Young Preservationists, a founding member of the Urban Land Institute's Young Leaders of Western New York, the Elmwood Village Association's Design Committee, and the Buffalo West Side Environmental Defense Fund, among others.

Jason believes in a strong work-life balance and continuously pursuing opportunities for personal and professional development. To that end, he has visited 23 countries, is a certified PADI Rescue Scuba Diver, an avid sailor and surfer, and a part-time yogi. Jason currently resides on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands.

I first learned about the true power of community while studying at UB. It seemed like my professors as well as my fellow classmates were all playing active roles in reshaping our region - starting new companies like a carshare program, studying the walkability of a neighborhood, renovating a historic home or assisting a local government with a comprehensive plan - and being a part of the UB community allowed me to have the opportunity to be involved and learn from people who were already doing. These early interactions continue to serve as a source of inspiration to this day.

I've always been attracted to real estate because it is this incredibly tangible thing, something that you can reach out and touch, study and observe, fix-up and paint. And that influence flows both ways. The buildings in our neighborhoods have a quiet effect over how we feel in a space and contribute to the identity of a block, neighborhood and city. So I made the connection between effecting change in my community and real estate, whether it was mowing a vacant lot, attending a community meeting or putting a fresh coat of paint on an old house.

You're only as strong as the people, network and community you surround yourself with. Build that network by finding your passion, volunteering, and being kind. You have to first give to this community before you can expect anything in return. All of that time and energy will pay dividends eventually, trust me.

My previous careers as a real estate development professional, non-profit manager, and community activist provided a great deal of satisfaction but there has always been an unmet desire to impact the world in a more significant way. My first foray into humanitarian work was in January 2017 assisting an NGO in rural Nepal with a school construction project following the devastating 2015 earthquakes. This experience was truly life changing and solidified my desire to pursue a career path as a humanitarian professional.