Town of Amherst Community Diversity Commission Short Bio of the Board Members 1: Khalid J. Qazi, MD, MACP Khalid J. Qazi is Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University at Buffalo Medical School and the inaugural President of the Medical Staff at Catholic Health System. He is also the Founding President and Senior adviser of Muslim Public Affairs Council of WNY. Prof. Qazi enjoys a distinguished career both in medicine and community service. He has trained hundreds of physicians serving across our nation and received the prestigious Mastership Award, bestowed upon less than 1% of Internists, from the American College of Physicians in 2007. He is credited with over 120 publications (manuscripts, posters, editorials, case reports). He is on the editorial board of and reviewer for several medical journals, including the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine. Prof. Qazi remains actively engaged in community service, sponsoring and supporting several interfaith and community conversations. As the past Chair of Trustees and President of the Islamic Society, he founded the Islamic Center in Amherst. Currently, he is on IHA Foundation and United Way Board of Directors. He has been recognized by Buffalo News, DHS, DOJ, NCCJ, CHS and many others. 2: Helaine Sanders, LMSW, JD Helaine has an MSW and JD. She has experience in labor relations, social work, politics, and education. She began her legal career as an Administrative Law Judge for the NYC Office of Collective Bargaining. She also worked as a mediator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She and her husband moved to Amherst, NY, his hometown, in 1995. They started a law practice, Sanders & Sanders, which focuses on employment law. Helaine also worked as a Job Coach to help employees deal with work-related stress. Helaine is currently an Erie County Democratic Committee Member. In addition to serving on this Commission, Helaine serves on the Town of Amherst Disability Committee. Helaine volunteers at the Williamsville Central School District. She has experience with curriculum, wellness, and special education. “Everything works out in the end, so if it’s not working out, it isn’t the end.” – Anonymous 3: Dilip K. Sinha, Ph.D. Dilip Sinha completed his education at the Columbia University in New York City followed by Michigan State University, College of Medical Sciences. He moved to Buffalo in 1968, joining Roswell Park Cancer Institute, as Cancer Research Scientist, as adjunct assistant Professor eventually becoming principal Cancer Research Scientist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Professor of Physiology and Director of Graduate Studies @ SUNY. He is a member of board directors India Association of Buffalo for many Years, President of the Hindu cultural Society of W.N.Y for 7 years and founding President of the only Hindu temple in Buffalo area. He also served as volunteer spiritual advisor for inmates in Alden correctional facilities and member, board of Governors, Network of religious communities. Currently, he is retired and lives in Amherst, NY. 4: Brian C. Steinberg, Ph.D. Professor Steinberg (http://www.briancraigsteinberg.com) has over 20 years of Academic and Student Affairs experience. He received his B.S. in Earth Science and Geology at Central Michigan University and his M.A. in Post-Secondary Education: Student Affairs and Geography from The University of Northern Iowa. Professor Steinberg also received his PhD (ABD) in The Leadership for Higher Education Program at Capella University. Also received his Diversity Graduate Certificate from Capella University. Brian currently works for a diversity and multicultural education training and consulting firm called The Ally Group (http://www.theallygroup.net) and teaches and designs courses for a number of online colleges and universities. 5: Mireille Schapiro My name is Mireille Schapiro. I graduated from the State University of Buffalo with a B.S. in Nutrition. I worked at Buffalo General Hospital as a Dietitian and at the Bry Lyn Psychiatric Hospital as an Assistant Dietitian I then worked for the Buffalo Public Schools for 19 years as a Cafeteria Manager. After moving to Amherst I started working at Center for Senior Services for 17 years, as the Manager of Food Service. I was in charge of the nutrition for the Congregate Lunch Program, the Meals on Wheels program and the Adult Day Program. I retired in 2017 but then decided to take a position for the Williamsville Schools as a Cafeteria Manager. I am very active in our Synagogue, Kehillot Ohr Tzion. We do many outreach programs within the community. I look forward to working with all of you on the Diversity Commission. 6: Nayury Farber Nayury “Nay” Farber, is an undergraduate student pursuing an interdisciplinary degree built around marketing communications and leadership. She has a variety of interests within these fields ranging from culture to project management, marketing strategy, media content production and design. She is originally from the Dominican Republic where she obtained a previous degree in tourism and management. Besides her native Spanish, she speaks French and is a self-taught italophone. Nay believes that acquiring a range of experiences and knowledge impacts our ability to collaborate well with others. Her personal philosophy is based on the value of human interconnectedness, as an essential component of personal and global success, and communication as a core skill of effective relationships. Nay runs a small business, is currently active at the SUNY Empire Student Affairs Committee (SAC) and the Amherst Diversity Commission. She has recently been appointed as project manager for the emerging organization called Sustainable Progress and Equality Collective, SPEC, and is the inaugural intern of the SUNY Empire Shirley Chisholm Center for Equity Studies. 7: Pam Bos Kefi Pam is the Executive Director of Deaf Access Services (an affiliate of People Inc.) and an Associate Vice President at People Inc. where she leads the AmeriCorps program and provides guidance on cultural competency throughout the agency. She initiated the battered immigrant women’s program and human trafficking victim services at the International Institute where she was previously the Executive Director, and developed the Center for Survivors of Torture at Jewish Family Service. Her experience includes working at the US Embassy in Haiti for USAID, serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia, conducting cultural competency assessments and training for non- profits, and assisting international families with relocation to WNY. She serves as board chair of RAHAMA, an organization in Buffalo that serves Muslim survivors of family violence. She served on the board The Union School in Haiti, and the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of WNY. 8: Joseph Sahr Sankoh, Ph,D., MAIS., MA. Associate Professor of Political Science & Director of Africa Initiative, Immigrant & Refugee Studies, and African/Black Studies at Daemen College; with expertise in studies of the developing world & African/Black Studies. Former President of the US.Fulbright Chapter of Western New York & Northwestern PA, and US Fulbright Scholar to India & Rwanda. US President People to People Ambassadors to China, and several other awards locally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Sankoh is a resident of Amherst for many years, and served on several boards of directors in the Town & Western New York; including former Town of Amherst Museum, and former Diversity Coalition of the Town of Amherst in which he was the Committee Chair of the 1st Dr.. King’s Holiday Celebration in the Town. Dr. Sankoh’s research focuses on global genocide since World War II, Immigrant & refugee Studies, global comparative political studies, and African/Black studies. His scholarly works have been published in various reputable journals including, Oxford University Forum on Public Policy, Third World Studies; National Association of African American, Hispanics, and Asian Studies; among others. Dr. Sankoh is currently serving on the Diversity Commission of Town of Amherst. 9: Tom Lucia Tom Lucia, a 50 year resident of the Town of Amherst is a retired Williamsville Central Schools middle school teacher of math/social studies. He taught for 43 years and according to him, really enjoyed the spirit of the students and the support of his fellow teachers and administration during those years. He has served on many town youth committees while he was teaching. He was on the Village of Williamsville Youth and Recreation Committee and helped start many annual events including the Halloween parade, Winterfest, Fishing Derby,and Bicycle Rodeo. He spent 12 years on the Town of Amherst Youth Board serving as Chairman many years. He was Chairman of the first 24 hour relay challenge for Amherst youth which continued for many years. Tom was on the Diversity Commitee for the Williamsville schools in the late 1980’s. The committees work led to the calendar with most religious holidays distributed even today. A diversity booklet for all teachers to refer to which highlights the major beliefs, history, holidays, food restrictions of 40 + religious affiliations and a contact person for each was developed.This is still available online today. He was instrumental in organizing an inservice speaker series for all teachers and the recommendations for added diversity resources in the libraries of all the schools. His continued interest in diversity includes his travels to 30+ countries and his work on the Board of Ten Thousand Villages/Buffalo and also on the National Board Council of TTV., a non profit which helps artisans in developing countries market and sell their handicrafts in the US .