2025 Conference

Leadership Now: Innovating for a Sustainable World

April 23, 2025
8 a.m. — 6 p.m.

Buffalo Niagara Marriott, 1340 Millersport Highway, Amherst NY

Conference Information

Gain the latest insights and practical strategies at the intersection of business and sustainability from experts in corporate, higher education and nonprofit sectors. At this year’s leadership conference, you’ll build skills that will empower you to drive real change: actionable tools, fresh perspectives and a powerful network to make a lasting impact and drive sustainable development that’s good for the planet and your bottom line.

Conference Contact

Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness

Tel: 716-645-5254
mgt-leaderconf@buffalo.edu

Hosted by the University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness and the school’s Global Programs Office, in collaboration with the Civil Society Unit and the Academic Impact Initiative of the United Nations Department of Global Communications.

Conference Schedule and Agenda

The conference will feature three different tracks that allow you to choose your area of focus:

  • Innovative Leadership for Sustainable Solutions: Explore how leaders can use innovation to address sustainability challenges with an emphasis on creative problem-solving and the role of technology as highlighted by the U.N.’s Global Digital Compact of the Pact for the Future. 
  • Global Collaboration for Innovation: Focus on how cross-cultural collaboration is driving innovation and how diverse perspectives can be used to solve global issues. 
  • Transformative Leadership in a Changing World: Discover how the role of leaders is evolving to navigate complex global challenges with a strong focus on adaptive leadership and resilience. 

Schedule

7:30-8:15 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

8:15-8:35 a.m.

Opening Remarks

  • Satish K. Tripathi, President, University at Buffalo
  • Ananth Iyer, Dean, University at Buffalo School of Manangement
  • Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah, Director, Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness

8:40-9:20 a.m.

Session 1

Track 1 – Innovative Leadership for Sustainable Solutions
Bob Neubert, Clinical Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship Operations Management and Strategy University at Buffalo School of Management

Track 2 – Global Collaboration for Innovation
Ashley Wetzel, Talent Acquisition Manager Edwards Vacuum

Track 3 – Transformative Leadership in a Changing World
Daniela Goya-Tocchetto, Assistant Professor of Organization and Human Resources University at Buffalo School of Management

9:25-10:05 a.m.

Morning Plenary
Unbought and Unbossed: It’s Time to Pivot and Bring Seats to the Table!   
Led by Faustenia Morrow, Principal, Monarch of Infinite Possibilities, featuring:

  • Jada Ivey, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, XII XX1 and Stylesbyjadamarie
  • Robert Lowe, Pastor, New Beginnings Church of God in Christ; Founder & President, Nehemiah Community Development Corporation
  • Chef Romone Anderson, Food Experience LLC

10:05-10:20 a.m.

Coffee Break

10:20 -11 a.m.

Session 2

Track 1 – Innovative Leadership for Sustainable Solutions
Ryan Besecker, Director of Supply Chain Policy & Sustainability, Moog

Track 2 – Global Collaboration for Innovation
Tom Ulbrich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Goodwill Western New York

Track 3 – Transformative Leadership in a Changing World
Emily Grijalva, Associate Professor Organization and Human Resources , University at Buffalo School of Management

11 a.m.-noon

Keynote Address
Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, Department of Global Communications, United Nations United Nations

Noon-12:45 p.m.

Lunch and Fireside Chat
Steven Finch, former President of Manufacturing at Viridi Parente

12:50-1:30 p.m.

Session 3

Track 1 – Innovative Leadership for Sustainable Solutions

  • Jennifer VanDewater, Vice President Enterprise Sustainability, Health, and Authenticity, Rich Products
  • Amanda Harris, Senior Marketing Manager, Rich Products

Track 2 – Global Collaboration for Innovation

  • Indianna Minto-Coy, Deputy Executive Director, MBA and MS Programs, MONA School of Business and Management
  • Patience Aseweh Abor, Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration and Health Services Management, University of Ghana Business School
  • Professor Augustina Akonnor, Dean of Students and Head, International Programs at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration

Track 3 – Transformative Leadership in a Changing World
Chuck Abramo, Group Vice President–HR, Delaware North

1:30-1:45 p.m.

Coffee Break

1:45-2:45 p.m.

Afternoon Plenary
The Business Case for Sustainability
Led by Ryan McPherson, Chief Sustainability Officer, University at Buffalo

  • Jennifer VanDewater, Vice President Enterprise Sustainability, Health, and Authenticity, Rich Products
  • Erin Komorowski, Executive Vice President, Sustainability, M&T Bank
  • Jon Powers, Co-Founder, CleanCapital
  • Ken Kujawa, Regional Director, National Grid

2:50-3:30 p.m.

Afternoon Keynote
Felipe Queipo, Program Management and Communications Officer, United Nations

3:35-4:15 p.m.

Session 4

Track 1 – Innovative Leadership for Sustainable Solutions
Anupama Pasricha, Dean, School of Business, St. Catherine University

Track 3 – Innovative Leadership for Sustainable Solutions
Adam Rome, Professor of Environment and Sustainability,, University at Buffalo

4:15-4:50 p.m.

Closing Keynote
Ryan Dunlap, Chief Conflict Officer and Founder, Conflictish

4:50-5 p.m.

Final Remarks
 Marsha King, Leadership Coaching Certificate Director, UB Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness

5-6 p.m.

Networking Cocktail Reception

Speakers

Keynote Speakers:

Robert Skinner
Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, Department of Global Communications, United Nations

Felipe Queipo
Program Management and Communications Officer, United Nations

Ryan Dunlap
Chief Conflict Officer and Founder, Conflictish

Registration

  • $199 - Standard rate
  • $182 - UB Faculty/Staff/Student rate with code "CLOEINTDSCT"
  • $99 - Nonprofit rate with code "CLOENPRFT"
Register

Sponsorship Opportunities

There are many opportunities to support the Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness conference through our sponsorship packages.

Sponsorship Letter and Details

Travel and Accommodations

The nearest airport to the University at Buffalo is the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), located eight miles from campus, followed by the Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG), located 14 miles from campus. Uber, Lyft or taxi services are the best way to get to and from the airport.