Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

In Advancement, we know that diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are essential to our success as staff, faculty, students, alumni and friends of the University at Buffalo. We collaborate, plan and coordinate with members of the community to build a culture that makes us stronger.

Commitment to Diversity

University Advancement is committed to creating a culture where all people are safe, heard and valued. Here, we grow relationships and find innovative ways to engage with all members of the greater UB community. We aspire to be an organization that attracts and retains a diverse staff that welcomes and engages all our alumni and friends. The future of our work must be inclusive. We are dedicated to cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration. A team that embraces these values will be better positioned to recognize and seize opportunities that maximize our success in all that we do.

University Advancement DEIB Committee

University Advancement’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging committee was created and charged with creating an organizational culture that is more inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds, and racially and culturally underrepresented groups and to sustain efforts to incorporate diversity and inclusion into the organization’s fabric. The committee’s work is informed by the work of the President’s Advisory Council on Race, an organizational assessment conducted in 2022 and the resulting divisional strategic plan.

Committee members

Kara L. O'Neil.

Kara L. O'Neil

Prospect Research Analyst

1001 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 881-1707

Email: koneil2@buffalo.edu

Thomas McArthur.

Thomas McArthur

Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving

Division of University Advancement

201F Harriman Hall, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 645-3313; Fax: (716) 826-2515

Email: tm53@buffalo.edu

Arlene Kaukus.

Arlene Kaukus

Director of Alumni and Industry Engagement

216D Harriman Hall, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 645-5242; Fax: (716) 829-2515

Email: arleneka@buffalo.edu

Brian P. Ibsen.

Brian P. Ibsen

Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

905 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 881-7529; Fax: (716) 829-4736

Email: brianibs@buffalo.edu

Emilie Rosenbluth Vertalino.

Emilie Rosenbluth Vertalino

Director of Advancement, School of Law

610 O'Brian Hall, North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: (716) 645-2113; Fax: (716) 645-3646

Email: ebrosenb@buffalo.edu

Jennifer M. Silverman.

Jennifer M. Silverman-Van Treese

Director of Donor Recognition Programs

1033 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 881-7482; Fax: (716) 829-5110

Email: js433@buffalo.edu

Judith A. Mackey.

Judith A. Mackey

Associate Director of Human Resources

1014 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 645-1526; Fax: (716) 829-5110

Email: jmackey@buffalo.edu

Joy Wrona.

Joy Wrona

Engagement Coordinator

212 Harriman Hall, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 645-8710; Fax: (716) 829-2515

Email: joywrona@buffalo.edu

Katheryn Ross-Winnie.

Katheryn Ross-Winnie

Director of Advancement, Graduate School of Education

901 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 829-5073; Fax: (716) 829-4739

Email: krosswin@buffalo.edu

Joakim Nyoni.

Joakim Nyoni

Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement

Division of University Advancement

914 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: 716-645-2959; Fax: (716) 826-2515

Email: joakimny@buffalo.edu

LaNise Spencer.

LaNise Crawford

Administrative Associate

915 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 829-3385; Fax: (716) 829-4739

Email: lanisesp@buffalo.edu

Melissa Meyer.

Melissa Meyer

Senior Advancement Writer

255B Harriman Hall, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 881-1703; Fax: (716) 829-2515

Email: mmmeyer@buffalo.edu

Wendy M. Irving.

Wendy M. Irving

Associate Vice President for Planned Giving

1110 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 881-7484; Fax: (716) 829-6067

Email: irving@buffalo.edu

Supporting DEIB at the University at Buffalo