Leadership Buffalo is Western New York's premier network of business, professional and civic leaders, dedicated to improving our own organizations and building a better Buffalo!

Leadership Buffalo brings together existing and emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in order to increase their ability to effectively lead; to develop an in-depth knowledge of the critical issues facing Western New York; by providing direct access to the top level leaders and decision makers in each sector we examine; and through networking and sharing hands-on experiences with the 1000 plus Leadership Buffalo graduates in our Leadership Buffalo Network.

Leadership Buffalo acts as a catalyst by bringing diverse individuals together who must decide for themselves how THEY will serve the community.  It is the responsibility of each member to face, accept and act on this challenge.

There are four programs available:

THE CLASS EXPERIENCE

The Leadership Buffalo Class Experience is a series of monthly, full day sessions and two overnight retreats.  Kicking off in January, the challenge, concept and practice of leadership will be explored along with such key topics as economic development, regional partnerships, education, health care, criminal justice, human services and the arts.  The goal of the Leadership Buffalo Class Experience is to inspire and better equip individual graduates to lead change in WNY.

Applications for the 2012 class will be available in the spring.  Watch this space for more information.

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The Rising Leaders program is also a series of monthly, full day sessions and two overnight retreats, along with four 90-minute Leadership Theory training sessions (held in the evening).  Taught by Frank Ciccia, Principal of The Illuminare Group, the sessions are  designed to increase these up-and-comers' knowledge of leadership and its real world application.  Rising Leaders also participate in the United Way Day of Caring, rounding out their experience with a day of community service.

Applications for the 2012 class will be available in the spring.  Watch this space for more information.

Click for more information on the Rising Leaders program.

EXPERIENCE BUFFALO

Experience Buffalo is a unique program designed to introduce relocated senior executives and their spouses or partners to the Buffalo Niagara Region. The focus of this program is to aquaint senior executives new to Buffalo with the people, places and issues that make up our community. The program offers a chance to meet some of the community's most influential leaders in all fields, from business to government to the arts. Senior executives will get an overview of the area from historic, economic, civic, political, cultural and entertainment perspectives. They will also benefit from exposure to organizations that play a critical role in the Buffalo Niagara Region.  The format is designed to keep the program informal, insightful and entertaining, with five evening sessions, beginning at 5:30 and ending by 9:30 p.m.  Each evening will include dinner at a distinctive location catered by one of the region's premier restaurants. Local business and community leaders serve as "CEO hosts" at these monthly events and the agenda includes informal conversations, tours, and presentations that are associated with that the topic. 

Experience Buffalo begins in June of 2011.  Click here for more information.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP ERIE COUNTY

Youth Leadership Erie County is a nine month leadership enrichment program for high school sophmores and juniors. The curriculum builds:

• an understanding of leadership and leadership skills development

• an understanding of and comfort with working in a team environment

• skills for positive conflict resolution

• an awareness of community issues

• an appreciation for diversity

• a commitment to lifelong involvement in community service

The program assembles a diverse group of students who have leadership potential, but who may or may not have had experience in positions of leadership at their schools or in their volunteer work in the community.