Board of Trustees
Elmwood Franklin School is an independent school and is fully accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
As an independent school, EFS policies are set and supervised by a Board of Trustees. It is this body’s responsibility, with the guidance of the Head of School, to determine the school’s budget, to develop long-range plans, to provide leadership in raising non-tuition revenue and to promote the school within the community. Selection for this group is based on recommendation from the Committee on Trustees of the Board of Trustees. Members are elected for a three-year term, with an option for one additional three-year term.
As an independent school, EFS policies are set and supervised by a Board of Trustees. It is this body’s responsibility, with the guidance of the Head of School, to determine the school’s budget, to develop long-range plans, to provide leadership in raising non-tuition revenue and to promote the school within the community. Selection for this group is based on recommendation from the Committee on Trustees of the Board of Trustees. Members are elected for a three-year term, with an option for one additional three-year term.
2021-2022 Officers
AMY HABIB RITTLING '82, President
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Amy Habib Rittling ’82 is a partner at Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP where she serves as the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group Co-Leader and manages the Labor and Employment Practice Group. Amy earned a BA from Boston College and her JD from the University at Buffalo Law School. She is actively involved in her community, currently serving on the boards of the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, University at Buffalo Foundation, Law Enforcement Foundation of WNY, and Maria M. Love Convalescent Fund. Amy is an ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient, a Women of Influence Award Recipient, and a graduate of Leadership Buffalo, and was named one of Buffalo’s “40 Under Forty” by Business First. Her three children, Haleigh, Bedie, and Kara, are current students at EFS, and her son A.J. is a graduate.
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VICTOR A. FILADORA, MD, MBA, Vice President
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Victor A. Filadora, MD, MBA, is president of Great Lakes Cancer Care, leading the collaborative oncology efforts between Kaleida Health, ECMC, Cancer Care of Western New York, General Physician PC, UBMD, Great Lakes Medical Imaging, Western New York Urology Associates and Windsong Radiology Group.
Dr. Filadora most recently served as the senior vice president and chief of clinical services at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Filadora spent more than 15 years at Roswell, rising through the ranks of medical affairs and administration. He began his career as a practicing anesthesiologist and quickly assumed leadership responsibilities as the medical director for perioperative services. Dr. Filadora graduated from State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He also holds Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees from UB. |
BRIAN J. LIPKE, Vice President
Brian Lipke retired as CEO of Gibraltar Industries, Inc. in December 2014 and served as Chairman of the Board through May 2015. Brian started his career with Gibraltar in 1972, became President in 1987, and Chairman of the Board in 1993. He attended SUNY College of Technology at Alfred and the University of Akron. His two children, Katherine and Elissa, are graduates of EFS.
DARBY FISHKIN, TREASURER
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Darby Fishkin is the Chief Executive Officer at CBRE-Buffalo LLC and Comvest Consulting Inc. A CPA with over 25 years of experience in healthcare and government finance, Darby joined CBRE-Buffalo in 2012. Prior to her tenure at CBRE-Buffalo, Darby was the Acting Comptroller for the City of Buffalo. In addition to Elmwood Franklin School, she also serves as a board member of Buffalo Urban Development Corporation and Erie County Medical Center, is a former Treasurer and current committee member of WNY Women’s Foundation, and a prior Vice President of Compass House. Darby holds an MBA in Professional Accounting from Canisius College and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Her daughter, Devin, is a student at EFS, and her daughter, Ella, is a graduate.
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ALON KUPFERMAN, SECRETARY
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Alon Kupferman is Administrative Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at M&T Bank. Alon has a BA from The George Washington University and an MBA from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. He also sits in the board of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo.
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BETSY CONSTANTINE JANOWSKI '89, Trustees & Governance
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Betsy Constantine Janowski '89 is the Executive Vice President of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. She joined the Foundation in 2009 after 11 years in financial services in New York City. In her role, she leads the team that works side-by-side with clients to understand what inspires their unique charitable giving and helps chart a course to ensure those wishes are carried out today, tomorrow, and forever. The Community Foundation has 400 active clients and is carrying on the legacies of an additional 500 clients who have entrusted the Foundation with more than $500 million.
In addition to serving on the Board for Elmwood Franklin School, she served as Chair of the Board of Directors at Child & Family Services where she remains a member and is also a member of the WNY Women’s Foundation and Western New York Planned Giving Consortium boards. Betsy’s son, Henry, is a student at EFS. |
2021-2022 Members
Kari Root Bonaro
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As an independent consultant, Kari works with not-for-profit organizations, start-ups, and foundations to provide program leadership and project management for multi-stakeholder initiatives and grants; strategic communications direction; and organizational strategy and development. Previously, Kari helped to build a multi-disciplinary team at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Inc., leading the organization’s strategic communications and branding, programming and external affairs, and collaborative grants and Campus-wide initiatives. Before relocating to Buffalo, Kari lived in Washington, DC and New York City, working with foundations, universities, and not-for-profit organizations dedicated to advancing social change.
Kari is a graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is the president of the Advisory Board of the Women’s Business Center at Canisius College; a volunteer for Girls Education Collaborative; and a member of the Advocacy Committee for the Western New York Women’s Foundation. She also volunteers for her children’s sports teams and clubs. Kari has two children who attend EFS. |
Allison Joseph Pendleton ’06
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Allison Joseph Pendleton '06 joined the Clover Management team in 2014. She has handled numerous aspects of Clover Management's Operations, including marketing and brand development, policy and procedure implementation, and property management. As Vice President, she is overseeing a major push in development to drastically expand Clover's portfolio and geographical footprint over the next five years.
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HELEN MARLETTE '73
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Helen Marlette '73 is Head of School at Buffalo Seminary. Her career in education spans more than three decades in independent secondary schools.
Prior to her appointment as Head of School in 2015, Mrs. Marlette served as SEM’s Assistant Head, overseeing day to day operations. From 2011–2013, she was responsible for External Relations, overseeing SEM's admissions and development programs. Building deep and broad experience in many aspects of independent school education, Mrs. Marlette has also served SEM as Dean of Students, Director of Athletics and coach of the varsity field hockey team, and is a faculty member in the history department. Before her appointment at SEM, Mrs. Marlette spent 24 years at Nichols School in Buffalo where she served as Director of Admissions, Director of Alumni Relations, Assistant Director of Athletics, history department faculty member, Form Dean, and Coach. She was also appointed Faculty Association Head, representing Nichols' Faculty and Staff on the school's Board of Directors. Mrs. Marlette is a graduate of EFS, Nichols School, and Middlebury College, where she earned a BA in Political Science with a concentration in Russian Literature, Mrs. Marlette began her teaching career at Oldfields School, a boarding and day school for girls in grades 8-12 in Glencoe, Maryland. Mrs. Marlette is the proud parent of three children who attended Elmwood Franklin School. |
GREGORY K. MEYER, CPA, CGMA
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Greg Meyer is the owner and principle consultant of Business & Technology Consulting, Inc. and brings over 25 years of experience in auditing, accounting, and operations management to the EFS Board. Prior to joining the board, Greg served as the interim finance director for Elmwood Franklin. Greg maintains memberships in organizations both professional and civic, including the AICPA, CEPA Gallery, and Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens. He previously served as the chairman of St. Mary of the Assumption RC Church's finance council which provided oversight to the parish school. Greg has bachelor’s degree in economics from SUNY at Buffalo and an MBA in Professional Accounting from Canisius College.
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MATTHEW MONTANTE
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Matthew Montante is Chief Operating Officer and Principal of the Montante Group of companies, which includes TM Montante Development, Montante Solar, and Montante Construction. TM Montante Development’s portfolio of projects includes the former Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital as well as the 200-acre clean energy business park in Tonawanda, Riverview Solar Technology Park. In 2009, Matthew co-founded Montante Solar, a regional leader of commercial solar installations and in 2013, Matthew co-founded Montante Construction, which recently managed the transformation of the of the former Spaghetti Warehouse in the heart of downtown Buffalo into the Planing Mill Lofts. Matthew sets the strategic direction for the Montante Group of companies and is in charge of company operations, including development, design, operation, and integration of all project delivery systems. Under his leadership, the companies have significantly expanded their capabilities and their portfolio of projects, while entering new markets. After 16 years of living in New York City, Matthew moved back to Buffalo with his wife Mara, and two children, Jackson and Theo. Jackson is a graduate of EFS and Theo is a student at EFS.
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Rachelle Nurse, Ph.D., APRN, WHNP-BC
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Dr. Rachelle Nurse is a women’s health nurse practitioner and professor at Texas Woman’s University and a multi-state owner and operator of Urban Air Adventure Park Franchises. In her career, she has held the positions of advanced practice nurse, nurse administrator, and nurse educator in areas including ambulatory care, women’s services, information technology, and academia.
Dr. Nurse has been active on several boards in Houston, Texas, including the Texas Medical Center Women’s Health Network and the Elnita McClain Women’s Shelter. She is the current national Chairwoman of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Dr. Nurse graduated from the University of Texas School of Nursing with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing. She holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Houston Baptist University and received her PhD from Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Nurse has two children, Joseph and Gabrielle, who attend EFS. |
Marina O'Donnell
Marina O'Donnell is the Political Director of the Northeast Region of the International Union of Operating Engineers. She oversees their political and legislative agendas in 10 states, focusing on protecting the safety of—and increasing the work for—her members. Marina has extensive experience in government and campaigns, including as a Special Assistant for Labor Affairs to the Governor of New York. She is the recipient of numerous industry recognitions, including the prestigious 40 Under 40 award from The Capitol, and named one of New York's top women in organized labor by City & State. A graduate of Fordham University, her children Thomas and Elsie are currently students at Elmwood Franklin.
Cara Reich
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Cara Murphy Reich is uniquely qualified to serve as a trustee of Elmwood Franklin School, having worked as a teacher at EFS for six years before having three children of her own, all of whom are current EFS students.
Cara earned a BA from the University at Buffalo and an M.Ed. in Literacy Education from Buffalo State College before joining the EFS faculty as a third-grade teacher. In addition to her numerous philanthropic interests, Cara works in her family's automotive business that owns and operates car dealerships. |
Uzma H. Siddiqui, MD
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Uzma H. Siddiqui, MD, is an adult and pediatric neurologist who has been a leader in the pharmaceutical and drug development industry for over ten years, specializing in the development of treatments for adult/pediatric neurologic and rare diseases. Uzma graduated from Vanderbilt University, then proceeded to the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She returned to Vanderbilt University for her adult and pediatric neurology residency and then the Dent Neurologic Institute for a neuroimaging fellowship. Uzma currently is the Director of Global Clinical Development (CNS) at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.
Uzma serves on the Healthy Environment and Routines team at EFS, providing medical and scientific guidance in the context of the COVID pandemic. Uzma is actively involved in several local and national health outreach organizations, including the Epilepsy Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Uzma and her husband, Dr. Jafar Siddiqui, a previous EFS Board of Trustees member, have three boys, Yasin, Amaan, and Zain, all current or past students at EFS. |
MATTHEW THOMAS, PH.D.
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Dr. Matthew Thomas is a epidemiologist and senior scientist at the University at Buffalo. Before relocating to Buffalo in 2018, Dr. Thomas worked as a public health survey design consultant, data analyst, infectious disease epidemiologist, and university instructor.
Dr. Thomas graduated from the University of Washington School of Public Health with his Master's and Doctoral degrees in epidemiology. He holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Biology from Wesleyan University. Dr. Thomas has one child, Leo, who attends EFS. |
ROGER WALCOTT, MD
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Dr. Roger Walcott is a board certified surgeon who specializes in vascular and endovascular surgeries. Dr. Walcott graduated from Harvard University, then proceeded to the University at Buffalo School of Medicine, where he met his wife, Karen. He went on to the Harvard Beth Israel Deaconess general surgery program and then Georgetown University for his vascular and endovascular fellowship.
Dr. Walcott is board certified in both general and vascular surgery. He has specialty training in carotid surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, lower extremity reconstruction, and venous disease. He has a special interest in complex aortic repair and is certified in fenestrated aneurysm repair. Dr. Walcott moved back to Buffalo with his wife in 2009, and his four children are students or alumni at EFS. |
Daniel Weinrieb ’94
Daniel Weinrieb '94 is the Executive Vice President of Government Programs for Shearwater Health, a global healthcare and clinical solutions company that delivers services and care to millions of patients across the United States. In his role, he collaborates with clients to achieve key-corporate initiatives that focus on innovation, operational efficiency, medical expense management, quality and revenue- all aligned with federal and state regulatory requirements for health insurance companies and large health systems. He is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall and received his BA from Clarkson University in 2003, where he also played Division 1 Hockey.
In addition to serving on the Board for EFS, Daniel is on the Board for the Elmwood Village Association. He is a former student at EFS, and he, and his husband Brian Walsh are the proud parents of Declan, a student at EFS.
In addition to serving on the Board for EFS, Daniel is on the Board for the Elmwood Village Association. He is a former student at EFS, and he, and his husband Brian Walsh are the proud parents of Declan, a student at EFS.