Originally from Central New York, Gabak relocated to the Capital District in 2019. He brings more than 30 years of philanthropic relationship management to miSci that includes experience in leadership roles for multiple comprehensive fundraising campaigns.

Gabak began his professional career working in Upstate New York regional museums including the Cayuga Museum of History and Art, the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, and the Lyons Historical Society. Prior to his relocation for employment at historic Union College, he was Director of Development at the Buffalo Museum of Science.

In his spare time, Gabak is adjunct faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he teaches art history with a focus on Flemish Renaissance and Baroque art – a position he’s held since 2008. He also taught in the Museum Studies program at RIT where he created a new course, “Fundraising, Grant Writing and Marketing for Nonprofits.”

Gabak was also part of the inaugural planning team that launched IlluminoCity in 2021 – a seasonal lighting experience in downtown Schenectady.