Service: Ann McCarthy LB' 93, Wegmans Food Markets
Ann McCarthy, Wegmans' Consumer Affairs Manager and recipient of the Service Award, truly embodies the spirit of her position. Ms. McCarthy is responsible for the company's media, customer and community relations for Buffalo and has been with the company for over 20 years. She not only graciously answers the many requests for funding and assistance brought to Wegmans, but continues this responsibility of service away from the office.
Ms. McCarthy has held volunteer positions large and small from chairing the 2001 United Way campaign and serving as a former vice-chair on its board of directors, organizing the Special Olympics Summer Games in Buffalo, serving as a founding board member of Mt. Ireneaus, Franciscan Mountain Retreat Center through St. Bonaventure University and raising funds to restore St. Louis Church, her downtown Buffalo parish. She is also a trustee of the Western New York and Oishei Foundations and a longtime board member of the Food Bank of Western New York. Ms. McCarthy has also committed various amounts of time to Leadership Buffalo, as a member and co-chair of the Class of 1993.
Ms. McCarthy has been acknowledged through various accolades for her commitment to the community. She is a recipient of the National Conference for Community and Justice's Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award for Community Service, and the St. Bonaventure University, Gaudete Award, given to community leaders who exemplify the same spirit of service expressed through the life and teaching of St. Francis of Assisi. She is also a past recipient of the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award and a graduate of the F.B.I. Citizens' Academy.
One of her most recent endeavors included a coffee table book entitled: The Good Journey. Ms. McCarthy, along with her husband Robert, and their son, Daniel, recently edited the history of St. Bonaventure University. The book will be released for publication this June.
Diversity: Dr. Khalid Qazi
Dr. Khalid J. Qazi, a native of Kashmir, chose to come to Buffalo in 1977 to practice medicine. In the 1970s the world was a different place for Muslims. Today, in 2011, even as American citizens, this group still faces difficulty with public acceptance and understanding. Dr. Qazi has worked tirelessly towards promoting diversity and the advancement of civil rights for American Muslims, while striving to create a positive, constructive relationship between this group and their representatives.
In 2002, Dr. Qazi was named an Outstanding Citizen by The Buffalo News for becoming a "strong, reassuring voice of reason" after the Sept. 11 attacks. He has continued to educate the region and create a bridge of understanding about the Muslim culture.
Dr. Qazi serves as Program Director for the Internal Medicine Training Program for the Catholic Health System. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles, CA. and the Board of Directors for the Kashmiri-American Council in Washington, D.C. He also serves as President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of WNY.
Dr. Qazi's current appointments include Clinical Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo; Board of Regents, Islamic Medical Association of North America, Chicago, IL; and Master, American College of Physicians.
His current community activities include the Board of Education for the Williamsville Central School District; strategy planning for the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County; participating in the ecumenical and interfaith dialogue in WNY; Board of Governors, Network of Religious Communities in Buffalo; educational programs for the community at large against xenophobia; training sessions for Federal, State and County law enforcement agencies; outreach programs, seminars, workshops and visitations for communal harmony; Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews in Buffalo.
Inclusion: Danis (LB' 99) & Scott Gehl, UB EOC & HOME
Danis and Scott Gehl have devoted their personal and professional lives to making people feel at home and providing them with the opportunities to get there. Mrs. Danis Gehl, Ph.D is the Associate Executive Director/Director of Education at the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunities Center and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Sociology department. She previously served as the Project Director of the University Community Initiative, a public service unit devoted to improving the neighborhoods surrounding the Main Street Campus of UB.
Mrs. Gehl's professional and volunteer life has focused on providing people and organizations with personal, institutional and advocacy tools to address inequities in access to stable and safe neighborhoods, education, and essential services. Her work as Family Advocacy Program Director for Child and Family Services, Executive Director of Kensington Bailey Neighborhood Housing Services, and at UB/EOC and as University Community Initiative Project Director reflects this.
Since 1982, Mr. Scott Gehl has been the Executive Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME). HOME is a civil rights organization that promotes diversity and assures Western New Yorkers an equal opportunity to live in the housing and communities of their choice through education, advocacy, enforcement of fair housing laws, and the creation of housing opportunities through collaboration with regional organizations.
As HOME Executive Director, Scott has provided leadership in successful efforts to challenge discrimination by publicly assisted housing providers, to pass municipal fair housing laws, and to create a housing mobility program that has helped thousands of low-income families of color move to communities of opportunity. Mr. Gehl also helped organize the Inclusion Task Force, which challenged geographic restrictions on agencies providing services to some of WNY's most vulnerable citizens.
The Gehls truly make a difference by welcoming in everyone that shares their concerns regardless of race, economic circumstances, or background in order to provide greater neighborhoods and justice for all.
Openness to Change: Mitch Flynn LB' 99, Flynn & Friends
Mitch Flynn, recipient of the Openness to Change Award, has seen the evolution of the marketing and advertising through many years in the business. Flynn started his company, Flynn & Friends, out of his home in 1986, and has seen it grow to fit its current location on Franklin Street in Buffalo.
Mr. Flynn has also witnessed the evolution of the Ride For Roswell, a popular annual event with thousands of bicycle riders that has risen over $14 million for research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Flynn is the founder and a ten-time chair of the event. The Roswell Park Alliance recognized Mr. Flynn in 1998 with the Katherine Anne Gioia Inspiration Award, and the National Society of Fundraising Executives named him Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year in 2005.
In the early years after the new millennium, the Ride grew to a level of stagnation and nearly imploded upon itself. Mr. Flynn pushed even harder and devoted even more man hours to the success of this event.
Mr. Flynn has many professional accolades and highlights, but finds his commitment to the Ride the most rewarding. He believes the Ride has enabled him to achieve creative, athletic and philanthropic "personal bests" while meeting and working with some of the best people in Western New York.
Mr. Flynn is a 1999 graduate of Leadership Buffalo, and a past member of its Board of Directors; the 1999 recipient of the Alex Osborne Communicator of the Year Award given by the Art Directors/ Communicators Club of Buffalo; recipient of the 2001 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award in Public Relations from the National Federation of Just Communities; a graduate of the 2002-2003 class of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) at the University at Buffalo, and currently a member of the CEL Advisory Board.
Community Impact: Anthony Conte, Shea's Performing Arts Center
Overseeing the operation and growth of an 82-year-old theater is no small task. Shea's Performing Arts Center is more than a local landmark--it is a national destination for major theatrical touring productions. The various touring Broadway shows, family productions, dance programs, concerts, civic events and extensive education programs bring visitors from around the region to Main Street Buffalo, positively influencing the surrounding businesses in the community.
Anthony Conte, President of Shea's and the awardee for Community Impact, has sustained success over the years at this architectural gem, a solid achievement in a volatile era for cultural funding. He knows the institution well and has held many positions over the years including Board Member, Development Committee member, Corporate Council Chairperson and Marketing Committee Chairperson.
Mr. Conte's community impact also reaches out to his many affiliations, including the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau, Buffalo Theater Alliance, Canisius College Wehle School of Management, County Executive's Council on Economic Development, the League of Historic American Theaters, Theater District Association and The Broadway League.
Mr. Conte has also shared his knowledge with budding entrepreneurs, working as an adjunct professor of economics and entrepreneurism at Canisius College.
Mr. Conte has been recognized by many organizations for his commitment to excellence. He has received the Arts Council of Buffalo and Erie County Arts Administration Award in 2008, the Ohio State University Outstanding Buckeye Supporter Award in 1995 and the Ohio State University Best Buckeye Award in 1994, Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 1994, the U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Award in 1993, and the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce Vanguard Award for Small Business in 1992.
Mr. Conte and his wife Linda reside in Amherst and have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
