The Aspen Institute Buffalo and Niagara Falls Leadership Academy Graduation

Congratulations to the graduating fellows of the inaugural Aspen Institute Buffalo and Niagara Falls Workforce Leadership Academy! On December 5th, the esteemed group presented their "How Might We" systems change projects to the regional community during the "Adaptive Workforce Development: Embracing Systems Change for Success" event hosted by the Northland Workforce Training Center. 

The Workforce Leadership Academy brought together leaders from the Buffalo & Niagara Falls workforce ecosystem for a year-long series of retreats, workshops, and action learning projects. This Academy provided a forum for local leaders to work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions for economic opportunity for all. Fellows work with leading practitioners throughout the country as they deepen networks; strengthen systems leadership skills; apply race, equity, and systems change frameworks to their work; and increase understanding of effective strategies and programs.

Congratulations to the Fellows that are now Alumni of the Academy and join the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunity Fellows Network: 

• Brittany Tranello, Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center

• Carolyn Storms-Stoltman, Northland Workforce Training Center

• Cassidy Malough, Goodwill Industries of Western New York

• Dixie Farr, Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Consortium, Inc. BETC

• Harvey Miles, GreenForce

• Jake Moskal, Jewish Family Services of Western New York

• Jennifer Pauly, Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce

• Jennifer Van Dusen, The Construction Exchange of Buffalo & WNY

• Jesana Gadley, M&T Bank | Tech Academy

• Joseph Milazzo, Villa Maria College

• Justin Rogers, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County

• Katie Pieri, Nonprofit Support Group

• Kristin Fields, Buffalo State University

• Kristine Bieniek, Buffalo Niagara Partnership

• Lillian Kahris, Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

• Michele Taylor, New York State Department of Labor

• Mike LaBerta, Workforce Development Institute

• Ondalee Horton, Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center

• Purnima Mohan, Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI)

• Rob Leteste, Invest Buffalo Niagara 

• Roscoe Naguit, Tech Academy (M&T Tech)

• Stephanie Bevacqua, Niagara University

Learn more about the groups' "How Might We..." Systems Change Recommendations here!