BUFFALO — Mayor-Elect Sean Ryan today unveiled the first group of commissioners who will lead key City departments in his administration, marking a major step in assembling the senior leadership team that will guide City operations beginning in January.
Ryan announced plans to appoint Danielle Roberts as Community Services Commissioner, Rosa Alina Pizzi as Corporation Counsel, Daniel Pizarro as Fire Commissioner, and Nolan Skipper as Public Works Commissioner. These appointments reflect Ryan’s commitment to bringing in experienced, mission-driven professionals capable of modernizing systems, improving service delivery, and strengthening day-to-day operations across Buffalo.
“Each of these leaders has a proven record of improving the systems they’ve been entrusted to run for the City of Buffalo,” Ryan said. “Together, they bring the skill, drive, and experience needed to modernize core City functions and deliver reliable, high-quality services to every neighborhood. Their work will be vital as we build a government that operates with the professionalism and consistency residents expect and deserve.”
Roberts brings more than a decade of leadership experience in community services to the Ryan administration. She currently serves as Vice President of Development & Government Relations for YMCA Buffalo Niagara, where she leads the organization’s philanthropic strategy, government and community partnerships, impact initiatives, and signature events including the YMCA Turkey Trot. Her work has strengthened access to critical youth, family, and wellness programs throughout the region. From 2012 to 2022, Roberts served as Executive Director of the YMCA’s William-Emslie, Delaware, and Ken-Ton branches, where she expanded programs, deepened community engagement, and built strong, mission-driven teams in some of the region’s most diverse neighborhoods. Roberts holds a B.A. in Social Science, Health & Human Services from the University at Buffalo and completed graduate studies in Organizational Leadership at Medaille College.
Pizzi brings nearly two decades of legal experience in banking, finance, and complex transactions to City Hall. Most recently a partner in the Banking and Financial Services Practice at Phillips Lytle LLP, she represented financial institutions, lenders, and borrowers in credit facilities, real estate transactions, construction and affordable housing deals, and creditors’ rights matters, while advising clients on tax credit structures, lien law, and regulatory compliance. She previously served as counsel in the Corporate Finance group at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and as an associate in the Credit & Banking Group at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Pizzi holds a J.D. from Yale Law School and an A.B. in Politics, cum laude, from Princeton University. She serves as Vice Chair of the Bar Association of Erie County’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.
Pizarro enters this new role with more than 14 years of leadership experience in the Buffalo Fire Department. He currently serves as Battalion Chief for the 7th Battalion in North Buffalo and previously served as the Department’s Chief of Training, where he led efforts to modernize training systems and strengthen departmental standards, including the development and implementation of a multi-agency firefighter certification pipeline. Pizarro’s earlier roles in the Department included Fire Captain, Fire Lieutenant, and Firefighter.
Skipper has served as the Public Works Department’s Acting Commissioner since August 2025, following years of service in key engineering and management roles for the City of Buffalo. He previously worked as Deputy Commissioner, City Engineer, and the City’s Principal Engineer, contributing to major infrastructure projects, roadway upgrades, and facility improvements across Buffalo. As Acting Commissioner, he currently oversees building maintenance, right-of-way infrastructure, street lighting, parks, sanitation and recycling, snow removal, and the water department, while also supporting the City’s emergency planning and response. Prior to his time with the City of Buffalo, Skipper compiled 10 years of experience at a professional engineering services firm. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University.
Ryan also announced the appointment of Ian Ott as his administration’s Director of Communications. Ott has served nearly five years in his current role as Ryan’s Communications Director in the New York State Senate and previously spent more than a decade in the media relations department for the Buffalo Sabres. Ott holds a B.A. in Journalism from SUNY Oswego.
A link to headshots for use by press is available here. Photos taken by Jeff Mace.