**Please note: The main entrance to The Conference Center Niagara Falls is on Old Falls Street (cobblestone walkway off of 3rd street on the left side) directly across from Seneca Niagara Casino.
We will be at the Binational Economic + Tourism Summit on Thursday, March 25 & Friday, March 26.
If your call is urgent, please call Cell: 905-401-4450.
Registration still available on site.
Speakers:
Speaker photos and bios will be uploaded as they are confirmed and available.
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Vance Badawey, Mayor Port Colborne
& Chair of Niagara Region Gateway Political
Oversight Committee |
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Mr. Vance Badawey was first elected as a City Councillor for the City of Port Colborne in 1994. He served until 1997 when he became Mayor of the City and Regional Councillor for the Regional Municipality of Niagara. He served as Mayor and Regional Councillor until 2003, when he decided not to seek reelection.
In 2006 Mr. Badawey decided to seek re-election and was re-elected as Mayor and Regional Councillor, for a four-year-term.
As Mayor, Mr. Badawey has held many positions on boards, commissions and agencies. He is currently Chairman of Port Colborne Energy, the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival, the Community Activities Network, the Planning Committee, the Economic & Tourism Development Corporation, Safe Communities Port Colborne and the South Niagara Health Care Corporation. He is a member of the Finance Committee, Port Colborne Hydro & Fibre board of directors, Physician Recruitment, Retainment and Education Committee and the Niagara Health System Stakeholder Council.
As a member of Regional Council, Mr. Badawey has held many positions on boards, commissions and agencies, including the Niagara Regional Police Services Board from December 2000 to November 2003, to which he was reappointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 2005 for a two-year term. He is currently Chairman of the Gateway Economic Zone & Centre Committee, Regional Marketing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Public Works & Utilities Standing Committee, the Niagara Sport Commission and the Regional Development Charges Task Force. He is a member of the Corporate Finance Standing Committee, Audit Committee, Integrated Planning Committee, Transportation Strategy Steering Committee and a director on the Niagara Civic & Convention Centre board of directors.
Known for his extended community involvement, Mr. Badawey is active as a member of several sporting and service organizations. He is the Honourary Chairman of the Jericho House Capital Campaign; he is involved with Wellspring Niagara – Cancer Support Centre, community youth programs, and dozens of community events. Mr. Badawey is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
In addition to these responsibilities in serving the citizens of Port Colborne, Mr. Badawey operates a company specializing in marine services – food distribution.
He is married to Lisa and has two lovely daughters; Logan and Jordan.
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Lana Benatovich, President
National Federation for Just Communities
Buffalo, New York |
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Lana D. Benatovich is the President of The National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York. As President, Mrs. Benatovich has overseen the development, coordination and promotion of year round programming of Youth Leadership conferences and youth camps, Community policing initiatives, Cultural awareness workshops, Interfaith/Intercultural community events, and pro-active, anti-hate and anti-violence programming, and other programs that address the enhancement of human relations in our community. Mrs. Benatovich earned her Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and her Master’s from Columbia University.
Mrs. Benatovich is the immediate past Chairperson of the Erie County Coordinating Council on Children and Families and is a past president on the Buffalo Council on World Affairs. She has served on the Boards of St. Bonaventure University and the Network of Religious Communities and was a commissioner of the Commission on Citizen’s Rights and Community Relations for the City of Buffalo.
Lana has received the President’s Award from the Western New York Women’s Bar Association, an Honorary Doctorate from Canisius College, and was the first recipient of the Racial Justice Award from the YWCA.
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Randolph R. Bianchi, SVP Business Development
Summer Street Capital Partners
Buffalo, New York |
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Randy Bianchi, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Summer Street Capital Partners, has over eighteen years of entrepreneurial, management and business development experience. He has held a senior management position in a multi-location family business, participated in founding and exiting a small start-up company, and has held numerous sales and management positions during his fifteen year career at a leading multi-billion dollar service company. Randy has been acknowledged for several prestigious awards in both sales and management.
Currently, Randy is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Summer Street Capital Partners, a private equity fund located in Buffalo, NY with approximately $300 million under management. His primary responsibilities include the development and execution of Summer Street’s strategic marketing plan, direct-to-company sourcing strategy and participating in the selection and evaluation process of prospective equity investments.
Randy serves on the board of the Institute of Continuing Professional Education and Designated Drivers of Buffalo. He is actively involved in numerous industry associations and is a member of Summer Street’s healthcare services, post secondary education and environmental services vertical teams.
Randy earned an Executive MBA from the University at Buffalo, and received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Rowan University . He also holds a certificate in family business advising from the Family Firm Institute.
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Jason Burgess, Vice-President
Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance Canada Inc.
Deloitte.
St. Catharines, Ontario |
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Jason is a senior manager in Financial Advisory services in the Niagara office, and is a Vice-President of Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance Canada Inc. Jason is a leader in the firm’s Tourism Hospitality and Leisure Practice (“THL”). Jason has performed a number of advisory services for a diverse group of clients including hotels, inns, spas, casinos, conference centres, wineries, restaurants as well as government bodies. Jason has completed, business plan reviews, best practice reviews, economic impact studies, financing and merger and acquisition services in the industry. Jason has spoken across Canada on tourism and lodging related issues and has been active with a number of industry groups.
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Ian Burkheimer, Program Manager - 2010 Olympics/Tourism
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region
Seattle, WA
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Ian Burkheimer is the Program Manager the 2010 Olympics and Tourism at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER), a bi-national, public-private partnership. This role focuses on developing projects and coordinating tourism policy throughout the PNWER region (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Saskatchewan, Washington and the Yukon).
Current projects include the development a 2010 regional pavilion (www.2010pavilion.com) in Vancouver, maintaining a regional promotion program around the 2010 Olympics, and managing a public information and a policy program focused on better border management.
Prior to joining PNWER, Ian organized the North American Alpine Snowboarding Championships. He has worked in a wide variety of roles in international events, including World Championship snowboarding, skiing and sailing, Continental Cup Ski Jumping, FIFA World Cup Soccer, and the WTO Ministerial Meetings in Seattle, WA
He is a graduate of Willamette University, a Fulbright Fellow and speaks fluent Japanese and German. He and his family live in Federal Way, WA.
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Theresa Cameron, Director of Membership
Americans for the Arts
Washington, DC
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Theresa Cameron joined Americans for the Arts as Director of Membership in 2008. She is Director of Membership for Americans for the Arts and the Americans for the Arts Action Fund. She is responsible for realizing a comprehensive membership development plan that attracts a growing, dynamic, and diverse membership; provides valuable services to members; and increases earned-revenue dollars for the organization.
Previously, she was CEO of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) in Maryland for 10 years where she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the county's nonprofit local arts and humanities agency that included a staff of nine and a budget of over $4 million. While at AHCMC she developed Creative Montgomery: A countywide cultural planning process as well assisting several organizations in developing cultural facilities including Strathmore Performing Arts Center. She also created legislation for the state’s arts and entertainment districts. Prior to joining AHCMC, she worked in fundraising and also for 6 years as the senior program specialist for the National Endowment for the Arts in their Local Arts Agencies Program.
Additionally, Theresa is affiliated with many different boards including: Immediate Past Chair of Maryland Association of Nonprofits Board, Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District, Centro Familia, and many more. She also served on the Montgomery Count Conference and Visitor’s Bureau and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of Leadership Maryland and was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.
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Kathleen Christy, Program Director
Western New York Grantmakers |
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Kathleen Christy has served as the Program Director of Western New York Grantmakers Association since 2008. She also serves as the Executive Director of the BISON Scholarship Fund in Buffalo, NY.
Western New York Grantmakers Association is a membership association of philanthropic funders in the Western New York area. Members include public and private foundations, family foundations and corporations. Their mission is to promote effective philanthropy in our area by keeping the membership informed of urgent health and human service needs, in addition to programming in the areas of arts, education, environmental and other. Each year the organization hosts a conference that brings together non-profits and the funders for specific topics as well.
Kathleen is a native of Western New York, graduating from Franklinville Central School, and receiving her B.A. from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Prior to joining Western New York Grantmakers, Kathleen has been employed with the United Way of Schenectady County in Schenectady, NY, the Buffalo General Hospital Foundation, Fleet Bank and she joined the staff of the BISON Scholarship Fund in 2001. Kathleen is a graduate of Leadership Buffalo (2004), and serves as a Class Chair and a member of the Member Engagement Committee, is a Board member of Western New York Planned Giving Consortium, a founding Board member of Girls on The Run- Buffalo, Board Member of the St. Amelia School Board and the St. Amelia Finance Committee and Past President of the Home School Association of St. Amelia School.
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Al Culliton, COO / Chair Management Committee
ECIDA (Erie County Industrial Development Agency)
Buffalo, New York |
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Mr. Culliton is Chief Operating Officer of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. He has been Chief Lending Officer since 1992 and was additionally named its Chief Financial Officer in 2003. As Chief Operating Officer he manages the operations and economic development programs of the Advanced Training Center, ECIDA, Industrial Land Development Corporation, Regional Development Corporation and several other affiliates. Additionally he manages ECIDA’s venture capital products. His prior work experience includes 14 years as a bank commercial lender and manager, 6 years as the Chief Financial Officer for several mid-sized wholesale distribution companies and several years in secondary education.
Mr. Culliton holds a BA and MA in Mathematics from Fordham University and an MBA from Canisius College. He is a graduate of the Venture Capital Institute sponsored by the National Venture Capital Association and the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies.
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Bill Elliott, VP, Business Development
Canada's Technology Triangle
Kitchener, Ontario |
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Bill Elliot joined Canada’s Technology Triangle with over 25 years Business Development and Management experience in the private sector.
Elliot’s professional career started in commercial lending with a leading Canadian Charted Bank. After achieving Regional Management responsibilities, he left to start up his own business.
He co founded a Financial Services company with 22 branches in four Canadian provinces. Upon the sale of that business Elliot owned and operated an Information Technology Training and Consulting company targeted at Fortune 500 companies.
Prior to joining Canada’s Technology Triangle in 2000, Elliot provided Finance / Management consulting services to business. This included business financing, strategic planning as well as business development strategies and implementation.
As Vice President, Business Development; major responsibility are International Business Development services for Waterloo Region. Opportunities have taken him to Europe, Asia and the continental USA; which has provided great experience in the global value chain that drives international business. Elliot’s team has been responsible for the attraction of over 30 investments creating over 3,000 jobs in the region. These companies range from Fortune 500 to SME’s in sectors from ICT, Business and Financial Services as well as Advanced Manufacturing.
Elliot is a member of the Ontario Technology Corridor, Ontario Automotive Community Alliance, Center for Automotive Research’s - Automotive Community Program, Waterloo Region Manufacturer’s Innovation Network, Communitech Technology Association, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Greater KW Chamber of Commerce and Canadian German Chamber of Industry & Commerce.
He is married with 2 adult daughters and one daughter in high school. A believer in giving back to the community, Elliot has been a Board Member or Committee Chair of Montessori School, Golf and Country Club, Big Brothers and other nonprofit organizations.
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Kenneth M. Franasiak, President
Calamar, Inc.
Wheatfield, New York
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Co-founder of Calamar and at its helm since 1990, Mr. Franasiak's knowledge and expertise has positioned Calamar as one of Western New York State and Southern Ontario's top full service real estate organizations. Mr. Franasiak has expanded Calamar to a true vertically integrated organization. Business units including development, property management, construction and materials were formed or acquired. Calamar's portfolio has increased to represent large commercial and residential properties in multi-geological locations and countries. Responsibilities include executive operations on a day-to-day basis, as well as heading up Calamar's development division. Other duties include the strategic management of the entire organization.
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Holly Hughes, Curator
Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Buffalo, New York |
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Christopher Johnston, President
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara
Buffalo, New York
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Chris Johnston came to WTCBN in 2007 after serving as a senior economic development advisor to the City of Buffalo. He spent over 10 years in Washington D.C. and overseas in a variety of international trade-related roles at the law firm of Thompson Hine, the International Trade Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce), and the software firm Symantec.
Johnston holds a Master's in international economics from Fordham University and is currently completing his dissertation at the University at Buffalo. His research examines the knowledge acquisition processes of Asian companies that have recently entered the US market via foreign direct investment (FDI).
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Christina Anna Luhn, Director
Mega Region Initiative
San Diego, California |
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Christina Luhn, Director of Mega-Region Initiative, joined the San Diego Regional EDC as Public Policy Manager in June 2007. As part of the public policy team, Dr. Luhn worked on land use and infrastructure issues. Research projects included a housing study focusing on the high cost of housing and the balance between housing and jobs. Since April 2008, Dr. Luhn has been the senior project manager for the Mega-Region Initiative, an economic development strategy partnering San Diego County, Imperial County and Baja California for global competition.
Prior to joining the EDC, Dr. Luhn taught U.S., Latin American and world history at SDSU and City College in San Diego, and at various institutions of higher education in the greater Kansas City metropolitan region.
Dr. Luhn’s professional and academic experience has focused on international relations and foreign policy. As Project Manager at the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris, France, she produced non-member country energy profiles and developed and managed an energy information exchange program with Latin America that became a permanent IEA policy.
In her tenure as staff assistant at the National Security Council at the White House, she provided analysis and conducted briefings for the senior staff, the National Security Advisor and the President. Highlights included preparations for the United Nations General Assembly, the Central American Energy Initiatives, and the President’s Trip to China. She also acted as NSC liaison for the Central American Public Diplomacy Strategy at the State Department.
As a legislative assistant on Capital Hill, she drafted and tracked legislation. Issues she focused on included defense, foreign relations and agriculture.
Dr. Luhn graduated with an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in history and education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Dr. Luhn is a historian of International Relations focusing on America’s interactions with the developing world. Her dissertation research, a case study of U.S. relations with Brazil, examined how education became an essential feature of U.S. Cold War development assistance overseas. As a non-matriculating graduate history student at Georgetown University, she was a graduate student researcher at the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She is a recipient of the Arthur Mag Graduate Fellowship, Chancellors Doctoral Fellowship, School of Graduate Studies Dissertation Research Fellowship, Kemper Graduate Fellowship and Women’s Council Research Grant. Dr. Luhn received her Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri.
She is very happily married to Lee Brown, a network engineer at General Atomics.
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Bradley May, Research Manager
Adaptation & Impacts Research Section
Environment Canada
Toronto, Ontario
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Bradley May is Manager with the Adaptation and Impacts Research Section (AIRS) of Environment Canada, Toronto. He is also an Adjunct Professor with the Tourism and Environment Department, Brock University where he teaches courses in environmental management and climate change. He has previously taught at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Brad has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Toronto. His interest in leadership was sparked through participation in the Leadership Program, Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. Brad is currently a member of the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO).
Brad’s research focuses on: community-based climate change adaptation; risk management and atmospheric hazards; social learning; and validating metrics of adaptive capacity. He is also a collaborator, examining Great Lakes issues, through the “Indigenous Adaptation Network” (www.indigenousaaptationnewtork.com ).
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Scott McRoberts, Director
Niagara Sport Commission
Niagara Falls, Ontario |
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Scott returns back to his University roots as Executive Director of the Niagara Sport Commission in Canada, after spending his last 7 years in San Francisco, California. Scott received his Masters degree in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco where he also taught as an adjunct professor from 2007-2009 in the graduate program. Scott is the founder of two consulting companies in the sport management industry; McRoberts Group LLC serves itself as an international sport management firm specializing in hosting of major sporting events, marketing and sponsorship. In the last five years Scott has worked in Executive roles with NCAA March Madness Tournament, the Professional Tennis Tour, Stanford University, ING, Anschutz Entertainment Group and served as Chief Operating Officer for the 2008 International Children’s Games. During this tenure Scott co-founded the San Francisco Sport Council. He has served as an officer on three not for profit boards from 2004-2009 and has recently published research in the sport event industry with Brock University.
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Loraine O'Donnell, Radio Personality
Hometown WECK 1230AM
Buffalo, New York |
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Loraine O'Donnell is a "Jane of all Trades" when it comes to the media. Locally she has appeared at almost every venue in WNY as an award-winning actress and singer. As a television personality she was part of the AM & PM Buffalo team for two years with Linda Pellegrino. She started out in TV on Off-Beat Cinema and Artvoice on 2. In local radio she has worked at 97 Rock, WYRK and WBUF.
Nationally, Loraine has appeared off-Broadway and on the cabaret circuit. During a stint on Boulder, CO radio she became known as a "Jon Benet Ramsey Expert" during the national case, appearing as a frequent guest on news shows on CNN, MSNBC and THE JENNY JONES SHOW. Radio gigs in Denver followed on 103 THE FOX, and talk stations KOA and KHOW. Loraine lives in Allentown with her 9 year old son Declan.
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Darleen Pickering Hummert, Executive Director/Artistic Director
Theatre for Change
Buffalo, New York |
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Darleen Pickering Hummert is the Executive Director / Artistic Director of the award-winning THEATRE FOR CHANGE, Incorporated, now in its 21st year. The mission of this company is to use the power of theatre to address issues of social change in workplaces, schools and communities. Based in Buffalo, Theatre for Change travels extensively, appearing in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis and throughout New York State. The company presents interactive workshops on domestic violence, multi-cultural awareness, substance abuse, health care, sexual harassment and gang violence. Clients include: the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Immigration & Customs, H.U.D., Erie County Probation, HSBC, UAW/Ford, Rich Products, Independent Health, Mentholatum, NCR, Hodgson Russ LLP, Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP and Phillips Lytle LLP. Darleen formerly served as Publicist for the internationally known Irish Classical Theatre Company. She is credited with helping to establish this company as one of the premiere theatres in Western New York and beyond in recent years.
An actor, director, producer and playwright, Darleen has performed on numerous area stages: Studio Arena, Irish Classical Theatre, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Artpark, Theatre of Youth, the Kavinoky, and Playhouse of American Classics. She was local casting director for the Keanu Reeves movie, HENRY’S CRIME and two films directed by Peter McGennis: BUFFALO BUSHIDO and QUEEN CITY; as well as an ESPN Monday Night Football pre-game video.
She has received numerous Artvoice "Artie" award nominations for acting and writing and she was the Arts Council Individual Artist of the Year (2000). For playwriting, she won fellowships from NYSCA, NYFA and the David R. Fendrick Fund. Other honors include: the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence Award, the Family Justice Center / Buffalo News Founders Award, Rosary Hill College Distinguished Alumni Award and a Professional Staff Senate Outstanding Service Award (University at Buffalo). Her community involvement has included serving on the Theatre District Association board and the Curtain Up Committee as well as teaching playwriting for Just Buffalo Literary Center.
Darleen earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Theatre from Rosary Hill College and an M.A. in Theatre from Illinois State University at Normal, Illinois. In April, she will be in the cast of ENGAGED at the Irish Classical Theatre.
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Craig Turner, Senior Director of Public Policy
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
NYS High Speed Rail Coalition |
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As Senior Public Policy Director for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Craig is responsible for creating and implementing the Buffalo Niagara business community’s advocacy agenda, collaborating with Partnership members and strategic partners, and providing advocacy-related communication to elected officials, Partnership members and the community. Prior to joining the Partnership, Craig served as Managing Editor with the Rocket Communications family of newspapers, then Press Secretary for the Erie County Legislature. In his “spare” time, Craig is a writer and political consultant, and is president of the Buffalo Weather Experience Center.
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Tina Valdecanas, Chief Strategy & Branding Officer
The Research Triangle Park
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Tina Valdecanas serves as Chief Branding and Strategy Officer at the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, owner and developer of the renowned Research Triangle Park. The Research Triangle Park was established in 1959 and enjoys an extraordinary 50-year history as the leading and largest high-technology park development in North America, Today, the
Park is host to more than 170 organizations. Approximately 80% of the Park’s 42,000 full-time employees work for multinational corporations.
Ms. Valdecanas joined the Research Triangle Foundation in May 2005. As Chief Branding and Strategy Officer, Ms. Valdecanas identifies what the Park must do to remain a competitive place for research and development activities – both currently and in future years – and works with the Executive Office to implement strategic initiatives undertaken by the Foundation. She is also responsible for coordinating the Foundation’s branding and research functions.
Before coming to the Research Triangle Foundation, Ms. Valdecanas was Vice President for Product Improvement at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC). During her tenure at GPEC, Ms. Valdecanas was responsible for leading the Council in developing, coordinating, staffing, and implementing Board initiatives. She coordinated the Council’s relationships with
other business organizations and was instrumental in the launch and growth of the Business Leadership Coalition, a grouping of nine major organizations representing the State’s private-sector leadership and working towards a consensus agenda to strengthen the State’s economic base.
Ms. Valdecanas received her undergraduate degree from the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and her masters’ degree from the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
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Juan Vazquez, Director of Marketing & Public Affairs
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara
Buffalo, New York
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Juan is currently the Director of Marketing and Public Affairs for World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara. Juan is in charge of promoting the organization’s mission of building economic vitality through global trade along with the organization’s membership benefits, educational trade events and consulting services.
Before coming to World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara, Juan spent 10 years at radio stations in Dunkirk and Batavia, New York; he also handled marketing and public relations duties for the Jamestown Jammers baseball team, Dish Network and a local dental office.
A life-long Western New Yorker and bi-national traveler, Juan received his undergraduate degree in Communications from Fredonia State in 2001, and his MBA from Empire State College in 2007.
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Debbie L. Whitehouse, Executive Director of Parks
Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Falls, Ontario |
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Debbie Whitehouse was born and raised in Michigan. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology (1978) from The University of Michigan, in 1980 graduated from The University of Missouri with a Master of Science Degree in Forest Eco-physiology and has also attended McMaster University, Master of Business Administration Program.
Previous to Niagara Parks, Debbie worked as a Substitute Teacher in Flint, Michigan; Research
Intern at Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in South Carolina; and as a Research Assistant with The University of Missouri. She began her career with Niagara Parks in 1980 as an Instructor at The School of Horticulture. Since 1986, she has worked in a number of progressively responsible positions at Niagara Parks including Horticulture Coordinator, Human Resources Director, Director of Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture, Acting Director of Horticulture, and has been Executive Director of Parks since 2001. Her current responsibilities include management of Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture, Natural and Cultural Heritage, as well as Horticulture Operations and Recycling/Waste Management for the 1720 ha of parklands along Niagara River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. She is presently the Chair of Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council
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Paul Wylezol, President
International Appalachian Trail (IAT)
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
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Paul Wylezol is a philosophy graduate from McGill University focusing on moral and political theory, who in the 1990's started a tourism accommodation (Entente Cordiale Inn) and outdoor adventure (Headwater Tours) company in Newfoundland. He now finds himself full circle as the President of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) promoting international unity and environmental stewardship. His most recent projects include extending the IAT into the UK and Ireland, and partnering with Kruger Publications to create five protected wilderness areas in Western Newfoundland along the IAT route, where he hopes to use carbon offset credits to finance the development of IAT Trail Parks.
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Gloria Zemer, Great Dame
BlackDog Strategy & Brand
Buffalo, New York |
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“Gloria J. Zemer brings a unique set of capabilities to her work; she is an insightful strategist with a matchless ability to interpret volumes of data; distilling what is relevant and valuable from the mundane distractions.” Liu Yandong, VP Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).
Undaunted by the popular world view, fueled by curiosity, a worthy challenge and the elusive picture, Gloria passionately pursues the “big idea”. With her spiky hair and sharp perspective, Gloria identifies solutions that humanize, clarify, unify, and vivify brands.
Gloria holds advanced degrees in Psychology and Business from the University at Buffalo, Saint Bonaventure and the Beijing Institute of Technology. Leveraging her expertise across industries, sectors and continents has proven to Gloria that an authentic and unreserved brand is a holistic, matchless advantage with the power to provoke interest, invigorate commerce, advance progress, while contributing to the quality of life of whole communities.
Gloria’s genuine love of the human experience confronts shallow pursuits and the homogenized mindsets that settle for aimless trends and the dismal “good enough”. She champions companies to causes to explore the limits, harness their unique competencies and disrupt the business of “business as usual” to create new possibilities.
She has always, in her heart of hearts, wanted to be a storyteller
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