The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is pleased to announce that five local leaders have joined its Board of Directors in 2025. New members include: Brigid Doherty, Consultant, Doherty Consulting; Hon. David L. Edmunds, Jr., Judge (retired), Buffalo City Court; John G. Horn, Partner, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP; DeLawndrea C. Purdue-Grant, Space Sector Business Manager, Moog Inc.; Charles Torres, New York State Police Senior Investigator (retired). With diverse professional and community leadership backgrounds, each new member brings unique expertise to the Board to support the Community Foundation’s mission of connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York.
Brigid Doherty is the founder of Doherty Consulting, a local firm that provides independent strategic consulting services to foundations. Prior to consulting, Ms. Doherty was the President of the Cullen Foundation, a $125 million foundation dedicated to enhancing education for students grades 5 – 12 and advancing performing arts in Erie County. As its founding President, she established its operations protocol, governance structure and investment philosophy, as well as implemented the foundation’s first grant cycle and creation of its initial scholarship program. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston College and a master’s degree from the Harvard Business School.
Hon. David L. Edmunds, Jr., is a retired Buffalo City Court Judge who had a distinguished career in public service. Prior to serving as a Buffalo City Court, Hon. Edmunds served as Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Liquor Authority. Additionally, he served as a partner at Barclay Damon LLP, when it was known as Damon and Morey LLP. Judge Edmunds has served in leadership roles within the New York State Bar Association, Bar Association of Erie County, Minority Bar Association of Western New York and Minority Bar Association Foundation. He earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Rochester and his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University.
John G. Horn is a Partner at Harter Secrest & Emery LLP (HSE). A Chambers USA-ranked Band 1 litigator, Mr. Horn handles complex commercial, construction, Indian law, and environmental matters throughout New York State and beyond. He served from 2009 to 2023 as Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Buffalo office and is currently HSE’s Inclusion and Equity Committee Chair. Mr. Horn has also served on numerous community boards. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester, a master’s degree from Northwestern University and his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University’s Chicago School of Law.
DeLawndrea C. Purdue-Grant is a Space Sector Business Manager at Moog Inc. She has been with Moog for more than a decade serving in multiple roles. An expert with knowledge in government, defense, and aerospace contracting arenas, currently, Ms. Purdue-Grant provides and reviews proposals, oversees programs up to $100 million, identifies risks, and ensures compliance with policies and contract requirements. She also delivers mentorship and counsel to staff and operations groups. She has earned five degrees including a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State, a master’s degree from American Graduate University and an executive master’s degree from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
Charles Torres is a retired New York State Police Senior Investigator. Over the three decades that he served, Mr. Torres worked throughout the state as a Trooper, Investigator and a Senior Investigator. He worked on many multi-jurisdictional eavesdropping investigations from narcotics to homicides, was a Crisis Intervention (Hostage Negotiation) officer, and was a supervisor for over 10 years. As an active member of the Hispanic community, he has served as President of the Puerto Rican & Hispanic Day Parade for many years. He is also the Vice President of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy Board of Directors. The Conservancy will manage operations at Ralph Wilson Park as it reopens in phases during a $150 Million transformation. Mr. Torres attended the University at Buffalo and graduated from the New York State Police (NYSP) Academy.
2025 officers of the Community Foundation Board of Directors include: Steve Finch, Chair; Tamara O. Alsace, Ph.D., Vice Chair; Jeffrey H. Katz, Esq., Vice Chair; Owen Herne, Esq., Secretary; and Cheryl A. Jankowski, Treasurer.
Other members of the Community Foundation Board of Directors include: Jennifer Chalmers Balbach; David J. Blesy; Rosalind Burgin; Darby Fishkin; Dottie Gallagher; Allen “Pete” Grum; Hal D. Payne; Luis Rodriguez; Hon. Rose H. Sconiers; John F. Somers; and Nancy Ware.
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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.