Katheryne Leigh-Osroosh, PhD, NCC
Assistant Professor
School Counseling Program
Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology
University at Buffalo (Fall 2022)
kosroosh@buffalo.edu
Matthew Giordano, Ph.D.
President
Villa Maria College
240 Pine Ridge Road
Buffalo, NY 14225
giordano@villa.edu
Paula Kovanic Spiro, MPH, LMSW
She/Her/Hers
Director, BRAVE
Buffalo Rising Against Violence at ECMC
SNUG, Site Administrator
ECMC, Level I Trauma Center
462 Grider St.
Dr. Cortasia L Solomon-Carter
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Northeastern Seminary, Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York.
Master of Science in Psychology , Concentration Cognitive Psychology, University of Phoenix
Ordained Minister of American Marriage Ministries, 2012
The decision to undertake the demanding challenge of community service is the result of my aspiration to improve the quotidian of people’s lives, and I believe that Community Service is about serving this main purpose. It is toward this purpose that my keen interest in Community service and quality of life is based on. This aspiration to change people’s lives grew additionally into the form of true service and change. I therefore believe that through hard work and determinism, one can have a durable impact on this environment. As a result, I am an individual that is not afraid to be out of her comfort zone when challenges are tough. My previous experiences include the ability to understand, Analyze and quantify information. I am a confident team player with strong communication skills and have mature and polished leadership capabilities. These skills have been evident throughout my work experience, and I am proud to have always delivered the very highest levels of expertise and service.
Adel Munassar
Businessman, activist, and family man loves his community and always does the most that he can in giving back. Adel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and his parents immigrated from Yemen at a young age, he is the eldest of six siblings. After high school he attended ECC for Business Administration, and while attending school Adel found his passion for assisting the underserved population of his community.
Adel has worked & managed his family’s businesses in the city of Buffalo for the last eighteen years. He was exposed to an underserved community and took it into his own hands to help and make a change. Mr. Munassar is currently the President of the Arab American Community Center, Arab American Business Association, was an advisor at ACCESS WNY a nonprofit organization that serves low-income families, has organized many community events such as food drives, school supplies drives, community appreciation events, and so much more. Adel has also been instrumental in assisting The Healthy Corner Store Initiative in improving access for residents which focuses on corner stores in lower-income communities. These neighborhoods often have the lowest access to healthy foods and the highest rates of diet-related disease. He has made so many strides with community members, organizations, and public officials to make sure his community is a better place for all. Adel is truly an outstanding, dedicated, and special individual and deserves to be recognized for his humanitarian work in our community.
Gina Burkhardt
Gina Emily Burkhardt is an accomplished leader with a distinguished career in organizational development, education, and executive management. Holding an ABD in Educational Psychology from the University of North Carolina, a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Gina’s educational background is complemented by her executive education at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Currently serving as the President and CEO of the Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT), Gina has been instrumental in BCAT’s growth from two adult workforce classes in 2017 to seven classes with over 100 participants in 2022. Her expertise spans organizational leadership, culture development, change management, program and financial leadership, talent development, and educational policy.
Gina’s leadership extends beyond BCAT, as evidenced by her prior roles, including Senior Vice President at the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP), Chief Executive Officer at Jobs for the Future (JFF), and Executive Vice President and Director of Education Program at the American Institutes for Research (AIR). At JFF, she increased revenue by over $6 million in the first year and diversified the organization’s portfolio.
Throughout her career, Gina has consistently demonstrated a commitment to quality assurance, strategic development, fundraising, and fostering strong external partnerships. Recognized for her achievements, she has received the Bank of America Neighborhood Champions award in 2021 and was a finalist for the Athena Award in 2020 from the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership. Gina’s dedication to community service is evident in her roles on the boards of Community Services for Every1 and the Explore and More Museum, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact in Buffalo, NY.
Paulette Counts