Spring 2007

“Dux” is the Latin word for leader. Dux Soup is the semi-regularly published newsletter of Leadership Buffalo, Inc.

2007 Values Award Winners Selected

This year we will be honoring four Diversity and affecting positive and systemic individuals for the manner in which they change. Leveraging a one-of-a-kind lead, and in particular, how one of our Ellen Goldstein, LB ’05, partnership with M&T Bank, she took values informs their work. We will also marketing and one of Buffalo’s lowest performing be recognizing a group of individuals communications director schools and has worked with students, who made a significant and positive for the Jewish parents, teachers and staff to make it a impact on the community with our newly Federation of Greater NYS Department of Education “Most created Leadership Impact Award. Buffalo, exemplifies the Improved School.” Student enrollment value of diversity in all has increased from 314 to 550 during her Service areas of her life – work, family, and tenure. Dr. Minor-Ragan is frequently volunteer activities. She attended one of invited to share the secrets of her success, Nancy Blaschak began the first fully integrated elementary including her results-oriented and her career at the schools in Buffalo and that experience inclusive style of leadership. American Red Cross, has had an impact on her attitude Greater Buffalo Chapter towards people of different faiths, races Openness to Change in 1983. A member of and cultures, her choices of careers, the LB inaugural class of friends and colleagues, and her personal Thomas E. Baker, 1988, she was appointed value system. She willingly shares her immediate past president executive director of the Red Cross in Jewish heritage with others and works to of the John R. Oishei 1992. Her staff describes her as a team bring together people from different Foundation, has been a builder who values other people’s input religious backgrounds. In addition, as co- voice for change in the regarding the types of services needed in staffer of the Jewish Federation’s community for most of our community. She also possesses the Dosberg Notable Speaker Series, Ellen his professional life. capability to put those ideas into action. brings prominent Jewish speakers to Following a successful 33-year career Under her leadership, the Red Cross has Buffalo to discuss issues of importance with Price Waterhouse, Mr. Baker joined developed innovative services for seniors such as anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, the Foundation and redefined its role in and their families, including Lifeline to and the Middle East. She has also WNY from an anonymous organization Independence for the Elderly (LIFE ) provided opportunities for Jewish- that provided charitable gifts to an and Life Journeys – Solutions for Muslim discussions and education. organization that catalyzed a new way of Caregivers. Recently, the chapter has operating for many of the area’s largest spearheaded the “Prepare WNY” Inclusion foundations. He encouraged a campaign to encourage people to go to collaborative and entrepreneurial Dr. Yvonne Minor- the chapter’s website to garner approach to solving the myriad of issues Ragan, principal of information regarding emergency facing the community. He also shared his Westminster Charter preparedness. Nancy is also involved with leadership style of clear thinking, active School, has a reputation a number of community programs, listening, earnest words, and deep caring for inspiring educators, including Gilda’s Club and the United with the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority engaging the community Way Agency Executives Association. during his tenure as its first chair. in the life of the school – Continued on page 5 1 2007 Leadership Buffalo Board of Directors The Latest on Leadership Buffalo

Dear LB Members, Another Successful Members President Gretchen Fierle, LB ’02 Campaign Independent Health Our 20th year, 2007, is well underway The 2006 Members Campaign once Secretary Stephanie Barber, LB ’88 here at LB. Our United Way of Buffalo & again surpassed our goal. We raised Erie County Class Experience more than $13,000 from a record 147 and Rising Leaders members. The average gift was over $92 Treasurer Robert Tocker, RL ’05 Opening Retreats and 19% of our active members were very successful Treasurer-Elect participated with 61 new donors. Please Allen “Pete” Grum, LB ’02 even under the take a moment to review the list of Rand Capital Corporation threat of a major participants (on page 6 of this WNY weather newsletter) and thank them if you see Vice President – Strategic Plan Chair Francisco Vasquez, LB ’04 event. We again them. We also thank parents of the People Inc. dodged the “weather 2006-2007 Youth Leadership Erie bullet” having never County who graciously gave in support Vice President – Marketing & Development Jennifer Parker, LB ’03 had to cancel an of this program. Black Capital Network LLC Opening Retreat. Even our second Vice President – Programs Task Group Update John Schmidt, LB ’02 session on February Phillips Lytle LLP 14th saw 100% attendance regardless of We have several task groups working to another major weather event. enhance the effectiveness of Leadership Vice Presidents – Member Activities Kathy Egan, LB ’05 Buffalo. The Governance Task Force, Olympic Management Systems LB Values Awards led by Francisco Vasquez, LB ’04, has Stephen O’Neill, LB ’05 Damon & Morey LLP been meeting regularly and expects to We would like to thank the 2007 Values make recommendations regarding our At-Large Archie Amos, LB ’88 Awards Selection Committee for their governance model by the end of 2007. NYS Department of Civil Services outstanding choices. And thank you to Under the leadership of Debbie Aimee Gomlak Brace, LB ’01 everyone who submitted a nominee. It is Catholic Health System DiMatteo, LB ’97, the Recruitment Task Don Erb, LB ’04 never an easy task to select only four Force has met with members and is University at Buffalo people from such a distinguished group collecting information from other similar Christopher Jacobs of nominees. programs about their recruitment and Avalon Development selection processes. We expect to review Michael Keating, LB ’98 The Board also voted to institute an Wegmans Food Markets this information and implement changes additional award, the Leadership Impact Charles Maclay, LB ’95 to our own processes in 2007. next Point LLC Award. Selected by the Executive Ann Monroe Committee, this award is given to an Community Health Foundation YLEC is also reviewing current best of WNY and CNY individual or group of individuals who practices in youth leadership Zachary Schneider, RL ’05 have made a significant and positive programming as well as changes in the Schneider Digital & Buffalo impact on our community. This award State College community. They are committed to David Smith, LB ’90 will be given annually at the discretion of ensuring that YLEC continues to meet National Fuel Gas Company the Executive Committee. the needs of our community. Thomas Van Nortwick, LB ’92 NYS Division of Housing & Please be sure to take a moment and If you wish to contribute to any of these Community Renewal read why we are honoring Nancy efforts, please contact Mary Jo at Non-Voting Blaschak, Ellen Goldstein, Dr. Yvonne [email protected]. Deborah DiMatteo, LB ’97 Minor-Ragan, Thomas Baker, David M&T Bank Swarts, Carl Paladino and Michael We look forward to seeing you on Powers. We hope you will join us May Thursday, May 3rd. 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo to Sincerely, learn more about why they lead the way they do. Registration begins at 11:30 Gretchen Fierle Mary Jo Hunt a.m. and the luncheon starts at 12 p.m. President Exec. Director

22 2 Leadership Buffalo Please Support Members’ Activities in 2007 2007 Class Chairs

LB strives to provide a variety of Center for Association Leadership as Class of 1988 Robert Murphy, D’Youville College activities to educate members on well as the Leader to Leader Institute, Sr. Judith Justinger, Diocese of Buffalo leadership and engage them in LB and Daemen College co-hosted the Class of 1989 Kate Bukowski, M&T Bank conversations regarding community site for this seminar. Class of 1990 Susan Bring Tobe issues. Membership dues help to Judi Spear, The Spear Group, Inc. underwrite the costs of these events. According to Dr. Goldsmith, effectively Class of 1991 Gayle Barton, The United Way of “influencing up” is a philosophy that Buffalo & Erie County Class of 1992 Kristin Kight, KALEIDA Health The following brief summaries of events involves taking responsibility for your John Davanzo, Mercy Hospital LB has hosted in early 2007 give you a career; sees influencing as a key tool for Class of 1993 Anthony Latona, Jaeckle Fleischmann glimpse of the benefits to active making a positive difference in one’s & Mugel LLP members (i.e. graduates who have paid company; and recognizes that one can Class of 1994 Amy Stromberg, Attorney at Law Tom Giles, Citizens Bank their yearly membership dues). If you get the recognition they deserve without Class of 1995 Barbara Miller-Williams, Buffalo Police have not and would like to become an sacrificing one’s personal integrity. Department active member, please contact Shelly Class of 1996 Becky Landy, MJ & Associates Hiller at [email protected]. Thank you to Dr. John Frederick, LB Class of 1997 Courtney Walsh, University at Buffalo ’92, for his assistance with this event. Class of 1998 Jeff McArthur, HSBC Bank USA Buffalo City Forum. WNED-AM 970 and Class of 1999 David Granville, City of Buffalo – Dept. of Economic Development LB are collaborating to host a new Internet Safety. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Holly Hubert educated LB Class of 2000 Max E. Donatelli, Jr., Baker lunchtime speaker series – Buffalo City Victory Services members about Internet safety at the Forum. Modeled after the National Press Class of 2001 Katie Hoffman, The Hoffman Group Club Speaker Series, Buffalo’s new Buffalo FBI Building on February 27th. Maura Cohen, RMC Marketing Services quarterly speaker forum will bring Our local Buffalo Cyber Task Force is one of the most successful in identifying Class of 2002 Claude Imagna, EDS dynamic individuals to the region to share Class of 2003 Paul Muck, Jones Lang LaSalle their experiences with a live audience, and prosecuting those using the Internet Kelly Tyler, NYS Energy Research & which is then broadcast on WNED. for illegal purposes. Internet crime is a Development Authority global issue and one of the most Class of 2004 Kathleen Christy, The BISON Over 100 LB and WNED members prevalent illegal uses is for trafficking Scholarship Class of 2005 Stephen O’Neill, Damon & Morey LLP gathered to hear Lanny J. Davis, former pornographic images of children. Agent Tina Stenhouse, Moog Inc. Special Counsel for President Bill Hubert shared research showing that Class of 2006 Anthony Billoni, The Park School of Clinton from 1996–1998 and the author 80% of those who traffic child Buffalo Todd Bushway, Colucci & Gallaher, PC of the new book, SCANDAL: How pornography are also physically Class of 2007 Holly Bowser, Catholic Health System Gotcha Politics Is Destroying America, on victimizing children. According to Agent Steven Harvey, Every Person Thursday, January 25. Mr. Davis’ Hubert, the most effective way to keep Influences Children, Inc. presentation entitled “Gotcha Politics: Is children safe is to closely monitor their Rising Leaders 2004 Collin Gehl, Buffalo Museum of It Over...Or Will We Have Another Internet usage. Science Cycle?” provided an interesting look Rising Leaders 2005 B into his insights about America’s current Caroline Roeder, People Inc. political environment. Rising Leaders 2006 Amity Lippes, Time Warner Cable Media Sales Please watch the LB listserv for details Rising Leaders 2007 on the spring speaker. Buffalo City Carl Millender II, Legend Group Daniel Weinrieb, SourceOne Forum is made possible by the support Professionals of Independent Health, the lead sponsor, and the support of Hunt Real Estate, M&T Bank, and Phillips Lytle LLP. Leadership Buffalo, Inc. Buffalo FBI Building 237 Main Street, Suite 1500 Effectively Influencing UP. Over 20 LB Buffalo, New York 14203-2720 Phone: (716) 849-2626 members had the opportunity to hear Thank you to John Neal, RL ’05B, for his Fax: (716) 843-8683 Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, of Alliant assistance in arranging this presentation. E-mail: [email protected] International University, discuss his Web: www.leadershipbuffalo.org concept of “The Leader of the Future: Future activities are in the planning stages. Newsletter creative services Effectively Influencing UP” on February Details will be posted on the listserv and provided by Flynn & Friends, Inc. 23rd. Presented by ASAE and the website as they become available.

<#> 3 3 Youth Leadership Erie County: 10 Years Later

My experience as a member of Youth experiences, but common bond as Leadership Erie County has influenced youth, made it easy for us to quickly many of the decisions I have made in build trust in each other. my career. Over the last six years, I have trained thousands of students in Since this experience, I have found the citizenship skills and community action opportunity to walk into a room of and taken on a number of leadership strangers exciting rather than intimidating. I see it as an opportunity roles within my organization. This school decision making bodies. As I to hear new perspectives and make new work has required me to carry out the moved on to college I chose to major in connections. core values I gained as a YLEC political science and education, with a member: diversity, inclusion, openness As I continued through my year as a goal of teaching young people how to to change, and service. Additionally, I YLEC member, the friendships that be an active part of their own have been able to apply many of the began at the opening retreat evolved as communities. I often use my skills I gained as a member of YLEC. did my leadership skills. Through each experiences to serve as an example for my students. One of the most memorable session I saw my communication and consensus building skills improve. In components of YLEC was the opening I believe some of the passion I bring to my current position, each week I meet retreat. For the first time, I was my work originated as a participant in with a new group of students from expected to spend the weekend with a YLEC. Additionally, YLEC fostered a across the country. The diversity of the very diverse group of “student leaders,” number of skills and values that I am group can be very valuable and can also none of whom I knew. As a relatively able to apply to my work. soft-spoken young woman, this create a challenge as we try to build experience was somewhat intimidating group consensus. My value of inclusion As I look back on my experience, I am at first. However, I embraced the of all ideas became a strength, especially so grateful for the foundation YLEC challenge and found not only that as a facilitator. I am able to ensure that offered me. Leadership takes on many networking came easily to me, but I each student feels their opinion is forms in the world and this program gained a great appreciation for the included while harnessing the diversity allowed me to practice my own style of diversity of the group. Our different of the group. leadership at a young age and foster values that have allowed me to serve my In addition to strong communication community. skills, I gained an increased awareness Youth Leadership Parent Donors of the issues facing my community. – Sara Emhof, YLEC ’96, Program With this awareness came a desire to Instructor, Close Up Foundation, Thank you to the following serve my community. Throughout high Washington, DC parents for their generous school I served as a representative to contributions to support Youth Leadership Erie County.

Joe & Lori Segarra

Angela Williams

Brad & Laurel Steffen

Sandra Emerling

Kenneth J. Schmidt & Donna Hue Ritter-Schmidt

James Mahoney

Clotilde Dedecker, LB ’93

Linda Alberti Stumpf

YLEC looks to the future of our community. 4 Youth Leadership Looks to the Future

“We are looking for established leaders, people application and who are becoming leaders, and people who decided to revise show interest in leadership but need to have several of them in the opportunity to build their skills first.” order to obtain a clearer snapshot of - Don Erb, LB ’04, Chair, Youth each applicant. Leadership Erie County Each student’s Spring is recruitment time for Youth application is Leadership. Selection is a complicated considered based on and arduous process resulting in a their responses to the dynamic mix of high school questions. Efforts are sophomores and juniors from every made to ensure the corner of Erie County who are willing class represents the Exploring possibilities while playing the game of life. to contribute to the community as our diversity of the region region plans for change and growth. in terms of ethnicity, gender, and school task force on programming and selection location. A large part of the experience while also holding an at-large position on Youth Leadership Erie County is is creating the opportunity for students the LB board. recruiting for its seventeenth year. to connect with those outside their Students are selected by a committee Applications are available on the LB usual circles. made up of LB graduates, Youth website at www.leadershipbuffalo.org. Leadership graduates, and community Students could not be selected, the Scroll down to the bottom of the home members who are committed to the program could not run, and the direction page to get a copy of the application. creation of a class atmosphere that is of YLEC could not be set without the The deadline is April 26, 2007. open to change, values inclusion and contributions from LB and its graduates. Applications will be accepted via mail diversity, and is committed to Under the leadership of Don Erb, in or hand delivery to 237 Main Street, community service; LB’s core values. 2006-2007 more than 100 volunteers Suite 1500, Buffalo, NY 14203. aided in the planning and execution of (Applications received after April 26th This year’s YLEC Task Force on the day sessions. As chair of YLEC, Don must have the April 26 post-mark.) Programming and Selection took a look serves on the steering committee and the Applications received via fax or email at the questions asked on the will not be accepted. 2007 Values Award Winners – Continued from Cover

Leadership Impact Award to the attention of the collection of tolls was eliminated eight community when he months later when the NYS Supreme This year’s award discovered a statute Court denied the Thruway Authority’s recognizes David Swarts, stating the tolls should suit to dismiss. Their collaborative Commissioner of New have been removed in efforts, vision and hard work resulted in York State Department 1996 after certain federal $11 million annually remaining in WNY. of Motor Vehicles; Carl Michael Powers funds were received. P. Paladino, CEO of When even 20,000 According to co-chair of the event Peter Hunt, LB ’88, “The Values Luncheon David Swarts Ellicott Development signatures from local residents couldn’t Company; and Michael convince Albany, Mr. Paladino offers us the unique opportunity to honor B. Powers, Esq., of approached Mr. Powers to see if there values-based leadership demonstrated by a Phillips Lytle LLP, for might be another way to challenge the select few in our community.” their leadership in tolls. Mr. Powers and his firm, Phillips The luncheon will take place on May 3rd eliminating the Lytle, filed suit on behalf of Erie County at the Hyatt Regency. Registration is at collection tolls on Executive Joel Giambra, LB ’89, and Mr. 11:30 am. Tickets are $50 per person. Interstate 190. Mr. Paladino against the Thruway Authority, Contact LB for more information at 849- Swarts brought the issue then Governor Pataki and others. The Carl Paladino 2626, x. 17 or [email protected]. 5 Contributors to Leadership Buffalo’s 2006 Members Campaign

Class of 1988 Margaret S. Turner Brian Shine* Nancy L. La Tulip* Kathleen Bates Dennis Walczyk Richard W. Spears Joseph Marris* Nancy M. Blaschak* Susan M. Piver* Darryl McPherson David P. Hart* Class of 1994 Jennifer Parker Marsha Henderson James W. Gresens Class of 1999 Robert W. Romeo* Peter F. Hunt* Amy Stromberg Richard C. Baer Judi Nolan-Powell* Christine M. Ziemba* Linda Croglia* Class of 2004 Wendy Pierce* Jean M. Fletcher* Don Erb Judith Shanley* Class of 1995 Mitch Flynn* JoAnne A. Hudecki* Robert Murphy* Patricia Barry* Richard Hamister* Annette Kajtoch* Peter M. Cammarata* Michael Mulaney* Nancy Pankow* Class of 1989 Carol Cassell Ronald Silverio Francisco Vasquez* Philip A. Perna* Donna DeCarolis* James D. Reynolds* Ross Hewitt* Class of 2000 Class of 2005 Judith H. Katz Max Donatelli, Jr. Janet Barnes* Class of 1990 Charles Maclay Jerry Bestedo* Carole F. Bellanca* Patricia M. O’Brien* Class of 2001 Sarah Buxton-Smith Mark E. Celmer Thomas Pleban Jeffrey Ball Gretchen Geitter* Mary Jo F. Hunt* Bonnie Redder* Aimee Brace Gomlak Ellen Goldstein* Diane J. McMahon* Lewis D. Rich* R. Maura Cohen* Denise Gueli* Leon Smith* Robert Miller Phillip Hahn Rema Hanash Judith C. Spear* Paul V. Hartigan* Will Kelly* Susan Tobe* Class of 1996 James J. Hettich* Richanne Mankey* Mary Jo O’Sullivan* John Huber Katie Hoffman* Robert Mayer* Jill Bond Michael Mahaney* Stephen O’Neill Class of 1991 James Caison Thomas McNulty Kinzer Pointer* Gayle Barton Diane Collier Sylvia H. Nadler* Thomasina Stenhouse Karen Christie* Gayle Eagan James Rykowski* Bruce A. Goldstein* Michael J. Grimaldi* Class of 2006 Patricia Maloney John Hoffman* Class of 2002 Tonnalee Batchelor Rebecca Landy* Edward Brodka* Tish Brady Class of 1992 Beth Simons Larry M. Cobado Todd Bushway Anthony Colucci* Daniel D. Connors* Kofi Flynn-Atkins J. Patrick Henry* Class of 1997 Gretchen Fierle Cynnie Gaasch Annabelle Irey* David Buck Claude P. Imagna* John Horn Sharon S. Townsend* Deborah A. DiMatteo* Lavera Johnson* Mary Beth Karr Thomas Van Nortwick* Thomas F. Keenan* Lisa M. Kristis* Douglas Marky Richard M. Silvestri* Paul J. Kolkmeyer Frank J. Polino* Marcia O’Neil-White Susan D. Scamurra* John G. Schmidt* John Scannell Class of 1993 Christopher Wasp Thomas A. Sy* Gloria Simpson Clotilde Dedecker* Peter Loehr* Joanne Steinmetz Michael B. Henry Class of 2003 Richard Suchan Virginia Oehler* Class of 1998 Marc Adler* Hugh Russ* Carol A. Kostyniak* Rising Leaders Collin Gehl, ’04 Michael Filing, ’05 Thursday, May 3, 2007 Melinda Mulawka, ’06 Jill Sessa, ’06 12:00 Noon Luncheon Marla Waiss, ’06 Brooke Mentkowski, ’06 Hyatt Regency Buffalo First Impressions Dennis Wilk Co-chairs: Eric H. Kagen Patricia O’Brien, LB ’95 Winthrop Lawrence Buck Peter Hunt, LB ’88

*Members who have donated in 2005

6 Class Notes – News, Updates & Info

Class of ’88 Class of ’00 Rising Leaders ’06

Joseph Giansante received one of the Jaime Swygert has been promoted to relationship John Oehler has been promoted to Managing “Outstanding Corporate Friend Award” given at the manager at the Williamsville branch of First partner at Lumsden & McCormick. sixth annual Erie County Community College Niagara Bank. Wendy Pierce is a returning director of the Western Chairman’s Ball. New York Grantmakers Association. LB’ers in the CEPA Gallery “Visions Class of ’91 Class of ’02 of Greater Buffalo Show”

Janet Loew Day is a returning director of the Cindy Abbott-Letro, LB ’00 George Alexander has been elected to the United Western New York Grantmakers Association. Mayor Byron Brown, LB ’88 Way of New York State board of directors. Allison Duwe, RL ’05B Mitch Flynn, LB ’99 Class of ’95 Class of ’06 Lorna Hill, LB ’90 Mary Ann Kresse, LB ’01 Kathy Best is a returning director of the Western Patricia O’Brien has been named co-chair for The Sue McCartney, LB ’90 New York Grantmakers Association. Park School auction on March 17th. Jan Peters, LB ’89 B. Kevin Burke, Jr. has been promoted to partner at Wendy Stahlka was elected secretary of The Wendy Pierce, LB ’88 Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP. Children’s Guild Foundation Inc. Maureen Rasp-Glose, LB ’01 Sam Savarino, LB ’95 Class of ’07 Catherine Schweitzer, LB ’00 Class of ’96 Peter Vukelic, LB ’04

Valerie DeBerry received one of the “Outstanding Gayle Eagan has been elected secretary of the Corporate Friend Award” given at the sixth annual Correction Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo. Erie County Community College Chairman’s Ball. Paul Koessler is a returning director of the Western New York Grantmakers Association. In our last issue of Dux Soup, it incorrectly Rising Leaders ’05 recognized Francisco Vasquez, LB ’04, as a member of Upstate NY Transplant Services Class of ’97 board of directors. Heather Filipowicz is director of development of the newly created entity Planned Parenthood of Sharon Hanson was elected vice-chair of the Erie Western New York. County Center Corporation board of directors.

2007 Leadership Buffalo Committee Chairs

Class Experience Community Facilitation Team 20th Anniversary Fall Speaker Richanne Mankey, LB ’05 Christopher Brown, LB ’03 Muriel Howard, LB ’88 Daemen College Independent Health Buffalo State College

Rising Leaders Values Awards Luncheon Values Committee Monika McFoy, RL ’04 Patricia O’Brien, LB ’95 Susan Swarts, LB ’90 Buffalo Museum of Science The Carlisle Collection Cornell University, ILR

Gina Dlugosz, RL ‘05B Peter Hunt, LB ’88 Governance Task Force Enidine Incorporated Hunt Real Estate Corporation Francisco Vasquez, LB ’04 People Inc. Youth Leadership Erie County 20th Anniversary Don Erb, LB ’04 Deborah DiMatteo, LB ’97 University at Buffalo M&T Bank

Experience Buffalo Anthony Colucci, LB ’92 / LBG I Joanne Hudecki, LB ’04 Colucci & Gallaher, P.C. ADDSF Kids Escaping Drugs Campaign

7 Leader Snaps

YLEC plays the game of life.

RL’s conversing at the 2006 Values Awards Luncheon.

Memories of 2006 Values Awards Luncheon: Joanne Hudecka assists Beverly Foit-Albert with her corsage. Class Experience Opening Retreat: “Who are the right people for our bus?”

LB’ers enjoying last year’s Values Awards Luncheon.

YLEC: “Where should we put our community care dollars?”

8