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
2024-2025 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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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.
VICTOR A. FILADORA, MD, MBA, TREASURER
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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. |
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. |
ROGER WALCOTT, MD, Committee on Trustees and Government
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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 and alumni at EFS. |
2024-2025 Members
Amy Decillis Bard '86
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
Carrie Frank
ROBERT GLIDDEN, III
Robert Glidden, III is the CFO of Robert-James Sales, Inc. and an Executive Director at Trebor, Inc. Robert-James Sales is a nationwide distributor of stainless steel pipe, valves, and fittings. Trebor is a global supplier of tissue, napkin, and towel paper. Bob earned his bachelor's degree in Economics from SUNY at Buffalo.
Bob and his wife, Victoria, have three children, Bobby, Vivian, and Reid. Bobby and Vivian are current students at EFS.
Bob and his wife, Victoria, have three children, Bobby, Vivian, and Reid. Bobby and Vivian are current students at EFS.
Denisha Green
Karen Illig
Matthew McKenna
RACHELLE NURSE, PH.D., APRN, WHNP-BC
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Dr. Rachelle Nurse is a women’s health nurse practitioner 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 attended EFS. |
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. |
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.
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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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 served 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. |
DANIEL WEINRIEB ’94
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Daniel Weinrieb '94 is the Head of Strategic Partnerships for Jukebox Health. He is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall and received his BA from Clarkson University in 2003, where he also played Division 1 Hockey.
Daniel a former student at EFS, and he, and his husband Brian Walsh are the proud parents of Declan, a student at EFS. |