04/15/2026
Forty years ago Mike Benzin planted the seeds of a professional journey while a counselor at Camp Seneca, a popular summer camp for adults with developmental disabilities. His three summers working on the shores of Lake Erie and a fourth summer working at the former West Seneca Developmental Center grew into a career of service and support for communities and people in need throughout Western New York.
Mike returned to his roots last month when Cradle Beach, who became the steward of the former Camp Seneca property in 1994, named him Director of Advancement & Development.
Along with leading fundraising and marketing communication, Mike is responsible for developing long-range philanthropic initiatives and partnerships for the nearly 140-year-old non-profit agency. Cradle Beach serves over 5,000 children and adults year-round through our Summer Camp, Respite, Senior Services and Retreat Programs.
“It feels like just yesterday when I learned the values of creativity, leadership and teamwork at Camp Seneca. To return to the 66-acre campus where I enjoyed some of my most meaningful summers and be a part of the Cradle Beach team delivering transformative experiences to a new generation of counselors and campers is just a remarkable opportunity.”
The Canisius University alumni is a seasoned community leader and president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, WNY Chapter. He is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo, the FBI Buffalo Citizens Academy, a past Business First “Forty Under 40” honoree and a former chair of A Taste of Buffalo.
