Message from the dean
Dear Alumni and Friends,
As autumn’s crisp air begins to settle over our campus and our students return for the new semester, I’m pleased to share the latest issue of Buffalo Business, where we celebrate the innovation, collaboration and the power of community that define the School of Management.
In “Lights, Data, Action,” we share news of the upcoming Murchie Shore Data Theater and explore how this state-of-the-art facility, made possible by Tunney Murchie, BS ’75, MBA ’76, will become a hub for immersive data visualization, collaborative research and experiential learning.
In Startups, we honor the 2025 Buffalo Niagara Executive of the Year, Scott Bieler, and recognize several outstanding alumni whose leadership and civic engagement exemplify the school’s enduring impact on our region.
We also spotlight the formal merger of the Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness with our Global Programs Office into the new Center for Leadership and Global Impact, strengthening our commitment to developing agile, servant leaders who are equipped to navigate a rapidly changing world.
Our feature story, “Meeting consumers where they are,” takes you on a generational journey of marketing through media and messaging — from network-TV jingles to AI-driven social commerce. Informed by insights from our faculty and successful alumni, the article underscores the importance of storytelling and authenticity in connecting brands with audiences of all ages.
As always, we draw inspiration from our alumni, whose achievements across industries fuel our pride. From Samadhan Sonwane, MS ’18, whose tech skills bring us New York Times Games like Wordle and Connections; to Sarah Tanbakuchi-Ripa, JD/MBA ’14, who is championing a transformation of Western New York’s startup ecosystem as CEO of the 43North Foundation; and many others, their success illuminates the path for future School of Management grads.
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. Together, we’ll continue to harness the power of data, leadership and innovation to shape a brighter tomorrow.
Best regards,
Ananth Iyer
Dean