Buffalo, N.Y. — The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, is pleased to announce that five local leaders have joined its Council. New members include: Dinorah E. Baines, Digital Information Officer, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities; Hugh Burnam, Ph.D., Research Affiliate, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Ekua Mends-Aidoo, President & Principal Consultant, Clementine Gold Group; Catherine Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer, Resource Council of WNY; and Rishawn T. Sonubi, Partner, Young + Wright Architectural. With diverse community leadership backgrounds, they each bring unique expertise to the Council to support the CGLI’s mission of cultivating positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color in Western New York.
Dinorah E. Baines is the Digital Information Officer at the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. She has more than a decade of experience in strategic, crisis and digital communications, and serves on several local boards. Dinorah earned a dual Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Walden University.
Hugh Burnam, Ph.D. is a Research Affiliate in the Department for Indigenous Cancer Health at Roswell Park, where he researches health disparities related to cancer in Indigenous communities. Dr. Burnam earned his Bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies and his Masters in Adult Education from Buffalo State University. He received his doctorate from the Cultural Foundations of Education program at Syracuse University.
Ekua Mends-Aidoo is President & Principal Consultant of Clementine Gold Group, an equity-centered strategy and planning firm that specializes in education/facilitation, strategy, community engagement and inclusive economic development. Ekua is an active community volunteer and serves on many local boards and councils. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, Master of Public Administration from Hilbert College and is a Cornell Certified Diversity Professional through Cornell’s ILR School.
Catherine Roberts is the President and CEO of the Resource Council of WNY, as well as an adjunct professor at Houghton University: East Side. She serves on many local boards and has received numerous awards for her work and community service. Catherine earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics from the Empire State University, and her Master of Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University.
Rishawn T. Sonubi is a Partner with Young + Wright Architectural and has over 20 years of experience in design and construction. He is an active community volunteer, serving on numerous public and professional boards. Rishawn earned his Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies in Architecture, Master of Architecture and Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University at Buffalo.
2024 officers of the CGLI Council include: Oswaldo Mestre, Jr., Executive Director of Citizen Services & Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Buffalo, and Chair; Robert Lowery, CEO, RL Experience, and Vice Chair; Karla E. Kawenniiostha General, Associate Counsel, Seneca Nation, and Secretary; and Oluwole (OJ) McFoy, General Manager, Buffalo Sewer Authority and Treasurer.
Other members of the CGLI Council include: Tammy Alsace, Ph.D., Thomas Beauford, Jr., Ruth D. Bryant, Sean McKinnie and Talia Rodriguez, J.D.
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About the Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative
The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative® (CGLI), a fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, exists to cultivate positive change in the lives of trailblazing youth of color living within Western New York. The CGLI works toward this mission through endowment building, engaging strategic partners, and intentional community connections. For additional information about the CGLI, please visit www.theCGLI.org.