About BNHRA

Western New York's Pre-Eminent

HR Association

Built by HR professionals, for HR professionals. Serving the Buffalo Niagara region since 1974.

300+ Members
50+ Years in WNY
300K+ Employees Represented
SHRM Affiliated Chapter
Who We Are
The HR community Buffalo Niagara has relied on for over five decades.

BNHRA is the pre-eminent human resource professional organization in Western New York. We are a community of practitioners, leaders, and specialists who collectively represent the interests of more than 300,000 employees across the region.

We were founded in 1974 as the Niagara Frontier Chapter of SHRM by a small group of local personnel managers and university professors who wanted open communication and shared knowledge in the profession, a mission we proudly champion more than 50 years later.

Today, BNHRA serves HR professionals across every industry and career stage- from first-time practitioners to senior leaders- with programming, legal resources, certification support, and a network that exemplifies our City of Good Neighbors.

At a Glance
Founded
1974
Formerly Known As
Niagara Frontier Chapter of SHRM
National Affiliation
SHRM Affiliate Chapter
Region Served
Buffalo Niagara, WNY


Recognition
Awards we've won
BNHRA has been recognized by SHRM national for chapter excellence, certification support, and Foundation leadership across multiple award programs and years.
SHRM Learning System Champion
Certification Support
SHRM Learning System Champion
Awarded to chapters that actively promote and support SHRM certification among their members. SHRM's recognition of our chapter's sustained investment in member credentialing.
SHRM Chapter Champion
Chapter Operations
SHRM Chapter Champion Award
Recognizes outstanding chapter operations and commitment to delivering meaningful programs and services to members.
SHRM Excel Silver
Chapter Excellence
Two-Time SHRM Excel Silver Award
Recognizes exceptional chapter operations and a sustained commitment to member programming and professional development.
SHRM Superior Merit
Chapter Excellence
Fifteen-Time SHRM Superior Merit Award
Recognizes professional chapters for exceptional operations, member professional development, promotion of the HR profession, and partnership with SHRM.
SHRM Foundation Chapter Champion
Foundation Support
Three-Time SHRM Foundation Chapter Champion
Recognizes SHRM chapters that actively support the SHRM Foundation through fundraising and awareness, enabling scholarships, research grants, and educational resources for HR professionals.
National Affiliation
Part of the world's largest HR association.

BNHRA is an affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world's largest human resource management association with over 325,000 members in 165 countries.

SHRM affiliation means your local membership connects you to national resources, recertification programming, and a professional network that extends well beyond WNY while keeping your community ties local.

Get Involved

Ready to be part of it?

Join 300+ HR professionals across Western New York.