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. The Board appoints the Head of School, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school. It is this body’s responsibility, with the guidance of the Head of School, to determine the school’s budget, develop long-range plans, provide leadership in raising non-tuition revenue, administer the school’s endowment, and promote the school within the community. EFS Board of Trustees is comprised of volunteers who meet approximately six (6) times during the school year. Selection for this group is based on a recommendation from the Committee on Trustees and Governance of the Board of Trustees. Members are elected for a three-year term, with an option for one additional three-year term.
Standing committees of the Board of Trustees include the Executive, Finance, Advancement, Enrollment and Marketing, Building and Grounds, and Committee on Trustees and Governance
As an independent school, EFS policies are set and supervised by a Board of Trustees. The Board appoints the Head of School, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school. It is this body’s responsibility, with the guidance of the Head of School, to determine the school’s budget, develop long-range plans, provide leadership in raising non-tuition revenue, administer the school’s endowment, and promote the school within the community. EFS Board of Trustees is comprised of volunteers who meet approximately six (6) times during the school year. Selection for this group is based on a recommendation from the Committee on Trustees and Governance of the Board of Trustees. Members are elected for a three-year term, with an option for one additional three-year term.
Standing committees of the Board of Trustees include the Executive, Finance, Advancement, Enrollment and Marketing, Building and Grounds, and Committee on Trustees and Governance
2026-2027 Officers
VICTOR A. FILADORA, MD, MBA, President
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Victor A. Filadora, MD, MBA, is Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Executive for Catholic Health Buffalo. In this executive leadership role, Dr. Filadora is responsible for medical affairs throughout Catholic Health, working closely with the system’s Chief Medical Officers, System Medical Directors, Director of Graduate Medical Education, Clinical Department Chairs, and the System Director of Pharmacy to ensure the highest standards of medical care across the organization. Among his responsibilities, he provides executive oversight for regulatory reporting, clinical standardization, service line development and physician and provider recruitment, to support the system’s medical staff.
Most recently, Dr. Filadora served as a Senior Vice President for Kaleida Health and President of Great Lakes Cancer Care Collaborative. He began his career as an anesthesiologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts. He spent 15 years at Roswell, holding a number of leadership positions, including Senior Vice President/Chief of Clinical Services, Clinical Chief of Perioperative Medicine, and Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Filadora received his Medical Degree and Master of Science Degree from the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and his MBA from the UB School of Management. He completed an anesthesia residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. He is the proud parent of four children, three who currently attend EFS. |
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.
AMY DECILLIS BARD '86, TREASURER
Amy Decillis Bard '86 has been an active member of the Board's Finance Committee for several years and brings extensive financial expertise through her role as Senior Vice President at Wilmington Trust, where she has built a distinguished career spanning more than three decades with M&T Bank. Amy is also a proud EFS alumna and is the parent of two EFS graduates.
HELEN MARLETTE '73, SECRETARY
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Helen Marlette '73 is Head of School at Buffalo Seminary. Her career in education spans more than four decades in independent secondary schools.
Prior to her appointment as Head of School in December 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. During this time, SEM's enrollment grew steadily in both its residential and day student populations, the school began planning for a capital campaign, launched its successful rebranding initiative, and strengthened its partnerships in the Buffalo community. 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. Before her appointment at SEM, Mrs. Marlette spent 23 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 Elmwood Franklin School, 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. A member of the Nichols School Athletic Hall of Fame, Mrs. Marlette is also the recipient of the Nichols School's prestigious William Nichols Award and SEM's Koessler Award, which honors her community service work in Buffalo and for SEM. Mrs. Marlette is an alumni interviewer for Middlebury College, a member of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 1992, and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo. She currently serves on the NYSAIS Board of Trustees, Elmwood Franklin Board of Trustees, and the Advisory Board for 716 Squash. Mrs. Marlette is the proud parent of three children who attended EFS. |
MARINA O'DONNELL, Chair of the Committee on Trustees and Governance
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 was 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.
2026-2027 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. |
MARY BRADACH
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Mary Bradach is the Director of Business Development at CAF America, where she partners with prospective donors, professional advisors, and charitable organizations committed to making a global impact through effective, strategic philanthropy.
Mary brings over two decades of experience in financial services, having held leadership roles at AXA Equitable in New York City. Her background includes expertise in business development and strategy, practice management, and regulatory compliance—all centered on the growth and support of retail wealth advisors. More than eight years ago, she transitioned her career to the philanthropic sector, combining her financial acumen with a passion for purpose-driven work. Mary lives in Buffalo, New York, with her wife and son. Outside of work, she enjoys an active lifestyle with her family—spending time hiking, biking, sledding, and enjoying the outdoors, including beach days on Lake Erie. A proud Buffalonian, she’s also an enthusiastic supporter of the Buffalo Bills. |
Carrie Frank
Carrie Frank is a retired healthcare executive with a B.S. in Accounting from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. She held leadership positions in various healthcare delivery and financial capacities in her 36-year professional career. She is a former Vice President for Excellus Health Plan and former CFO and COO of Buffalo General Hospital and Kaleida Health. Carrie currently serves on several volunteer boards and investment committees.
DENISHA GREEN
Carrie Frank is a retired healthcare executive with a B.S. in Accounting from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. She held leadership positions in various healthcare delivery and financial capacities in her 36-year professional career. She is a former Vice President for Excellus Health Plan and former CFO and COO of Buffalo General Hospital and Kaleida Health. Carrie currently serves on several volunteer boards and investment committees.
Brendan Little
Brendan Little, a parent of two students in the Lower School, is a partner at Lippes Mathias LLP and serves as one of the leaders of the firm's Litigation Team. His legal practice focuses on a broad range of commercial and business litigation matters. Brendan currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Park Country Club. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and earned his law degree from Ohio Northern University.
JAMES OBLETZ
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Jamie Obletz is the president of Delaware North Sportservice, where he is responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of the company's sports portfolio, which provides concessions, premium dining, catering, and retail services to more than 50 sports and entertainment venues in the United States.
Obletz previously served as the company's senior vice president of corporate development, leading Delaware North's growth and strategic investment efforts across all its subsidiaries in the travel, sports, casino gaming, parks & resorts, and international sectors. Prior to joining Delaware North in 2016, Obletz worked in New York City as an executive director in the investment banking division at J.P. Morgan. He began his career in 2003 with M&T Bank in Buffalo as a banking officer and part of its highly regarded Management Development Program. A Buffalo native, Obletz graduated with honors and a degree in economics from Boston College. He later earned an MBA from Columbia Business School, where he studied corporate finance. Obletz is currently on the boards of Hauptman Woodward Medical Institute, Richardson Center Corporation, and Westminster Community Charter School, a part of the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. Obletz resides in Buffalo with his wife and three children. |
ALLISON JOSEPH PENDLETON ’06
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Allison Joseph Pendleton '06 joined One Clover Management in 2014. She is currently responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations for One Clover Management, including but not limited to, budgeting, staffing, cost control, compliance, capital expenditures and current rental rates. She is also instrumental in the planning, scouting and marketing decisions of One Clover Construction Management and One Clover Development.
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CARA Murphy 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, which 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 10 years, specializing in developing treatments for adult/pediatric neurologic and rare diseases. Uzma graduated from Vanderbilt University and then attended the University of Alabama School of Medicine. She returned to Vanderbilt University for her adult and pediatric neurology residency and then to the Dent Neurologic Institute for a neuroimaging fellowship. Uzma is currently the Director of Global Clinical Development (CNS) at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.
Uzma served on the Healthy Environment and Routines team at EFS, providing medical and scientific guidance during 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 former EFS Board of Trustees member, have three boys, Yasin, Amaan, and Zain, all of whom are former EFS students. |
John Y. Waterman Jr.
John Y. Waterman Jr. has been a member of the Elmwood Franklin School community for nearly a decade and is the proud parent of four EFS students, including a graduate from the Class of 2026. Throughout his family’s time at EFS, John has valued the school’s commitment to academic excellence, character development, and community.
John brings extensive leadership and governance experience from the education, nonprofit, public service, and private sectors. He currently serves on the Gowanda Central School District Board of Education, offering firsthand experience in school governance and long-term planning. He also serves on the Board of Directors of FeedMore WNY, helping advance the organization’s mission to combat hunger across Western New York.
In addition to his community service, John serves as a Judge on the Seneca Nation Court of Appeals and works in Human Resources at Seneca Gaming Corporation, where he focuses on employee development and organizational culture.
John’s commitment to service, collaboration, and education reflects his dedication to supporting strong institutions and helping communities
John brings extensive leadership and governance experience from the education, nonprofit, public service, and private sectors. He currently serves on the Gowanda Central School District Board of Education, offering firsthand experience in school governance and long-term planning. He also serves on the Board of Directors of FeedMore WNY, helping advance the organization’s mission to combat hunger across Western New York.
In addition to his community service, John serves as a Judge on the Seneca Nation Court of Appeals and works in Human Resources at Seneca Gaming Corporation, where he focuses on employee development and organizational culture.
John’s commitment to service, collaboration, and education reflects his dedication to supporting strong institutions and helping communities