Buffalo, N.Y. —The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is pleased to announce seven new team members have joined the Community Foundation and eight team members have received promotions. Each of these individuals play an important role in the Community Foundation’s efforts to connect people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York as it works toward a vibrant and equitable region where every individual thrives. Since 1919, the Community Foundation has been committed to working with individuals, families, foundations and organizations to make the most of their generosity and maximize their charitable assets.
New hires are as follows:
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Antwan Barlow, Director, Project Play WNY – Antwan leads Project Play WNY, a Youth Sports initiative launched by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to ensure all children in Western New York have the opportunity to be active through sports and build physical literacy. Antwan has made it his professional and personal mission to create services and strategic planning to break down barriers to success for the youth of Western New York.
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MarcAnthony Bucci, Director, Rural Initiatives and Regional Partnerships – MarcAnthony plays a key role in leading strategic initiatives to strengthen rural communities across designated counties. He oversees two affiliated foundations and their councils in Western New York – the Niagara Area Foundation and the Wyoming Foundation – ensuring alignment with the broader mission of the Community Foundation.
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Nathaniel Cancel, Operations IT Specialist – Nathaniel is responsible for optimizing the Community Foundation’s business processes, information technology and systems, as well as providing operational support, training and guidance to team members to remain current on the latest business processes and IT advancements.
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Susan Kirkpatrick, Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications – Susan leads the Communications team and plays a key role in shaping and executing the Community Foundation’s brand, messaging and outreach efforts. She oversees all aspects of marketing, communications and public relations to enhance visibility, engage stakeholders and support philanthropic growth.
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Alexandra Osberg, Senior Program Officer – Alexandra supports the Community Foundation’s initiatives in education, racial/ethnic equity, the environment and arts and culture. She manages a portfolio of grant activities with a focus on workforce and economic development, mental health, food security and housing.
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Matthew Torres, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Philanthropy Fellow – Matthew plays a key role in supporting initiatives of the Community Foundation’s geographic affiliates serving Niagara and Wyoming Counties. He is part of the inaugural cohort of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Rural Philanthropy Fellows Program designed to strengthen leadership capacity within rural-serving community foundations. In this role, Matthew conducts outreach to a variety of community groups to increase awareness and community engagement.
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Christopher Wagner, Foundation Counsel – Christopher manages a broad range of contractual, litigation, tax, regulatory, compliance matters and assists with Foundation governance policies and practices.
Promotions are as follows:
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Laura Dawidowicz has been promoted to Senior Director, Client Relations. Laura is dedicated to working with clients, understanding their philanthropic intentions and assisting them with their charitable giving. Laura joined the Community Foundation in 2023.
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Kaylin Devealt has been promoted to Scholarship Officer. In this role, she coordinates the Community Foundation’s scholarship program, processing applications, administering awards and analyzing the impact. Kaylin joined the Community Foundation in 2022.
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Sarah Johnson has been promoted to Grant Management Officer. Sarah plays a key role with grantmaking programs that support the Foundation’s current community goals of advancing education, racial/ethnic equity, the environment and arts and architecture. Sarah joined the Community Foundation in 2022.
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Nora Kennon has been promoted to Director, Client Relations where she is dedicated to working with clients, understanding their philanthropic intentions and assisting them with their charitable giving. Nora joined the Community Foundation in 2019.
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Cara Matteliano has been promoted to Vice President, Community Impact. In this role, Cara leads the Foundation’s Community Impact team and is responsible for working with external partners to achieve the Community Foundation’s goals of advancing education, racial/ethnic equity, the environment and arts and architecture. Cara joined the Community Foundation in 2008.
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Yuki Numata-Resnick has been promoted to Senior Director, Arts and Culture. She leads the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Arts and Culture Initiative with a focus on building a healthy and coordinated arts & culture ecosystem rooted in the collective good of the sector and the people it serves. Yuki joined the Community Foundation in 2023.
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Megan Sommerfeldt has been promoted to Senior Director, Gift Planning. In this role, she is dedicated to working with individuals, families and organizations interested in establishing a legacy or charitable fund by understanding their charitable goals and identifying customized solutions reflective of their unique values and wishes. Megan joined the Community Foundation in 2019.
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Emily Wyckoff has been promoted to Chief Philanthropy Officer. Emily oversees the Client Relations, Gift Planning and Communications teams. She is dedicated to working with clients, understanding their philanthropic intentions and assisting them with their charitable giving. Emily joined the Community Foundation in 2023.
Learn more about these individuals and the Community Foundation team at www.cfgb.org/about/team/.
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About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.