Community Foundation Announces Three New Board Members

Buffalo, NY — Three local community leaders have joined the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo for the 2018 – 2022 term. The new members are: Jennifer Chalmers Balbach, Founding Partner of Summer Street Capital Partners; Mr. Gary Crosby, Retired Chief Executive Officer and President of First Niagara Bank; and Mr. Hal D. Payne, Retired Vice President for Student Affairs at the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

With extensive leadership backgrounds, Ms. Balbach, Mr. Crosby and Mr. Payne all bring unique expertise to the Board of Directors. Their experience greatly helps the Community Foundation with its mission of connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York.

Newly Appointed Community Foundation Board Members:

Jennifer Chalmers Balbach

Jennifer Chalmers Balbach
Jennifer Chalmers Balbach

Jennifer Chalmers Balbach is a Founding Partner of the private equity firm Summer Street Capital Partners, which invests in privately held middle market companies in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to Summer Street, Ms. Balbach worked as Vice President at Buffalo Ventures, advising clients and investing private equity in numerous small businesses in Western New York. She also worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company, Coopers & Lybrand and American Management Systems. Ms. Balbach serves on the Board of Directors of the Harvard Alumni Association of Western New York and is a Board Member Emerita of the WNY Women’s Foundation. She is also a member of the Lifetime Healthcare, the parent company of Univera Healthcare, and chairs the Investment Committee of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

Gary Crosby

Gary Crosby
Gary Crosby

Gary Crosby retired as the Chief Executive Officer and President of First Niagara Financial Group, where he led the Buffalo-based regional financial institution from 2013 through its acquisition by KeyCorp in 2016. He was also served a member of the Board of Directors. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. With more than 35 years of leadership experience, Mr. Crosby put his private sector career on hold for five years to serve as the Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Buffalo Public Schools. Prior to that, he was a Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Seed Capital Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in early stage investments, and a founding shareholder and Chief Financial and Operating Officer of SoftBank Services Group. Currently, he serves on the Board of KeyCorp, Kaleida Health, Buffalo Public Schools Foundation, AAA Western and Central New York and is Trustee Emeritus of the YMCA Buffalo Niagara. Mr. Crosby is also the President of the First Niagara Foundation.

Hal D. Payne

Hal D. Payne
Hal D. Payne

Hal D. Payne retired as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the State University of New York College at Buffalo in May of 2017. Working for more than 27 years at the four-year college also known as Buffalo State College, Mr. Payne oversaw Enrollment Management, Judicial Affairs, Precollegiate Programs, Residence Life, Student Accessibility Services, Student Life, Student Success and Weigel Health as well as the school’s National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, Division III athletics programs. Currently, he is working with the president of Buffalo State College on special projects focused on community outreach. Mr. Payne serves as a member of the Buffalo Zoological Association and a member of the New York State Council on the Arts.

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The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, a 501©(3) organization, was established in 1919 to enhance and encourage long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. The Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. For nearly 100 years, 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.