Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

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Overcome your challenges, inspire innovation and propel your business to growth and profitability.

CEL Programs

Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur or an established leader, our peer-based, mentor driven programs give you the confidence you need to successfully start a business or take an existing company to the next level. The UB School of Management's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) is the premier Western New York resource for entrepreneurs like you.

Explore Our Programs

The CEL Advantage

23,000

Employed in WNY
by CEL Businesses
1,700+

Graduates of
CEL programs
$2.3 billion

economic impact
from CEL businesses
CEL Alumni
Alex Wyse.
“Core has given me the confidence and support to push our business in new directions.”
7/23/25

Alex Wyse

  • Wyse Properties
  • Core ’25
Deidre Batson-Griggs.
“The Emerging Entrepreneurs program has been instrumental to my professional development, which has propelled my business growth. I am appreciative of CEL’s focus on the success of local entrepreneurs.”
3/5/24

Deidre Batson-Griggs

  • President, Kiper Moving and Transportation LLC
  • M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs ’20, Core ’23
Sara Evans.
“CEL Core has taught me the ins and outs of my business while allowing me to grow as a professional. Not only have I gained numerous amounts of knowledge, but I have developed relationships with my classmates that will last a lifetime.”
3/5/24

Sara Evans

  • Principal and Director of Interior Design, MidCity Office Furniture
  • Core ’22
Jordan Stapf.
“At a time of uncertainty, I learned that everyone is going through similar challenges. The Key Persons program helped conquer those challenges.”
6/25/25

Jordan Stapf

  • Manager, Chiavetta‘s Barbeque and Catering
  • Key Persons Leadership Development ’20
Julie Kruger.
“Through the transformational CEL Core program, I have learned so much about streamlining our processes to be as efficient as possible and gathering and using the data we need to be able to forecast where we are going.”
7/18/22

Julie Kruger

  • Owner, Kruger Immigration Law
  • Core ’22
Michelle Spencer.
“The program gave me the resources, tools and confidence to move forward in my business.”
3/5/24

Michelle Spencer

  • Owner, Aging Well Care Management
  • M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs ’22
Craig Garner.
“Starting and running a business can be challenging. The Emerging Entrepreneurs program offers critical foundational information, along with the classroom environment and instructors to help you better understand the “why” behind the fundamentals.”
3/5/24

Craig Garner

  • Owner, ENG23 Home Services Corp.
  • M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs ’22
Cate Rabin.
“Core helped me clarify my goals, build α concrete plan for the future and sharpen my leadership skills.”
7/23/25

Cate Rabin

  • CARA Medical
  • Core ’25
Vanessa Gabriele.
“CEL Core is an exceptional program for people looking into how to run and manage any business. The knowledge and skills that I took away from this experience are priceless.”
7/18/22

Vanessa Gabriele

  • Managing Attorney, Gabriele Law PLLC
  • Core ’22
Jordan Lema.
“The CEL Core program gives you an instant network of people that want to help you succeed. It changes your brain to think about issues from outside of your current circle. I highly recommend this program.”
7/18/22

Jordan Lema

  • CEO and Executive Producer, Lemur Studios
  • Core ’22
Clarissa Surianello.
“This program has truly shifted my perspective and strengthened my vision for the future.”
7/23/25

Clarissa Surianello

  • Surianello General Concrete Contractors
  • Core ’25
Matt Smith.
“I finally took the leap, and I only regret not doing it 10 years sooner.”
7/23/25

Matt Smith

  • EOS Worldwide
  • Core ’25
Shareefa M. Albanna.
“The CEL team guided me in my startup journey which then allowed me to cultivate a larger economic impact in WNY. I am forever grateful for the amazing network.”
3/5/24

Shareefa M. Albanna

  • Founder and CEO of Arabica Enterprises LLC and PURSUIT Business Consulting
  • M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs ’21
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Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
School of Management
University at Buffalo
UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell St., Suite 201
Buffalo, NY 14203

Tel:  716-885-5715
mgt-cel@buffalo.edu

Meet our Team

Sponsors

CEL Partners

Artemis Transaction Advisors logo.
M&T Bank Logo.
The Bonadio Group CPSs, Consultants & More.
Orville's Home Applicances logo.

CEL Supporter

Tompkins Bank logo.