Buffalo, N.Y. —The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is pleased to announce six team members have received promotions. For 105 years, 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. 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.
Promotions are as follows:
- Raquel Alvarez has been promoted to Director, Governance and Special Projects. In this role, Raquel manages communications with the Board and provides administrative and logistical support. She also supports the Board’s governance responsibilities, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. Raquel joined the Community Foundation in 2022.
- James Ballin has been promoted to Associate Director, Project Play WNY. James helps coordinate the collective impact model for Project Play WNY, with a focus on grants and philanthropy support, and oversees the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports. James joined the Community Foundation in 2022.
- Cara Matteliano has been promoted to Managing Director, Policy and Strategic Initiatives, where she is responsible for working with external partners from philanthropy, government and the community to achieve the Community Foundation’s goals. She focuses on efforts that ensure healthy housing for families, that increase the region’s climate resilience and protect children from lead poisoning. Cara joined the Community Foundation in 2008.
- Jamia Pereira has been promoted to Senior Program Coordinator, Project Play WNY. Jamia provides administrative, logistical and operational support to the Project Play WNY team and works closely with its Advisory Council and Working Groups to coordinate the collective impact model of the initiative. Jamia joined the Community Foundation in 2022.
- Colin Perry has been promoted to Senior Program Officer where he works with the Community Impact team to advance the Community Foundation’s four community goals, assists with grantmaking and special projects, and supports the Community Foundation’s grant management system and its efforts to seek funding to further advance its leadership initiatives. Colin joined the Community Foundation in 2020.
- Allie Urbanski has been promoted to Director of Community Impact where she works as a member of the Community Impact team promoting the Community Foundation’s four community goals, assists with grantmaking efforts and supports the Foundation’s leadership and policy initiatives. She is responsible for ensuring the Community Foundation’s commitment to racial/ethnic equity through assisting with the work of the Racial Equity Roundtable and its 10-point strategic agenda. Allie joined the Community Foundation in 2015.
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.