Niagara University recently elected seven new members to its Board of Trustees. The appointments were announced by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of the university.
Joining the Board in September were the Rev. Kevin Creagh, C.M. Ed.D., senior vice president for mission integration at Catholic Health, Long Island; Jessica Enstice, an educator and active community volunteer; and the Rev. Patrick Flanagan, C.M., Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at St. John’s University.
The Board will welcome in December Michael Harrington, partner at Duane Morris LLP; Joanne Israel, general manager of Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino; Kevin Kreczko, vice president daydreamer | customer experience for Bass Pro Shops; and Dr. Eileen O’Brien-Scannell, president of Buffalo Peace House.
“I am honored to welcome seven distinguished individuals to our Board of Trustees. Each brings a unique blend of experience, passion, and expertise, reflecting the broad spectrum of knowledge and perspectives essential to guiding our institution into the future,” said the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “Their varied backgrounds will ignite new ideas and bold initiatives that will position Niagara for continued strength in a dynamic higher education landscape and advance our mission to foster innovation, engagement, and excellence in education. We look forward to their leadership and contributions as we continue to enhance the vibrancy of the university community.”
Father Creagh has spent almost his entire priestly ministry in higher education administration, teaching, and ministerial formation. He is an expert in the areas of organizational leadership, Catholic education, ministerial formation, and mission integration. In addition to his role at Catholic Health, he has held various positions in higher education administration at St. John’s University and Niagara University.
He earned a B.S. from St. John’s University and two master’s degrees from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He also earned a professional diploma in administration and instructional leadership from St. John’s and received his doctorate in the Executive Doctorate Program in Higher Education Management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education in Philadelphia.
Enstice is a former elementary school teacher at Grace Church School in New York City. Since returning to her hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., she has served numerous organizations within the community, including the board of the Maria Love Convalescent Fund, Buffalo Equestrian Center, Roswell Park Alliance Community Advisory Board, and the Bison Scholarship Fund.
She holds a B.A. in early child education from Boston College and completed master’s work in elementary education at Canisius College.
Father Flanagan has dedicated his career to exploring the intersection of theology, ethics, and technology, seeking to apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to address contemporary moral challenges. He appears frequently in national media as a commentator on church affairs and moral issues for outlets such as USA Today, Newsmax, and Spectrum News, and is an accomplished author and editor who has published in numerous journals, co-authored “Good Business: Catholic Social Teaching at Work in the Marketplace,” and serves as co-editor of the Journal of Religion and Business Ethics.
He earned his Ph.D. in theological ethics from Loyola University Chicago, his M.Div. from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, and his B.S. in biology education from Niagara University.
Harrington represents early- and growth-stage companies in the technology, life sciences, healthcare, and clean tech sectors. His experience includes advising institutional, strategic, and private investors on structuring, negotiating, and managing investments; representing private equity funds in raising capital and advising on requisite disclosures and federal and state securities law compliance; assisting growth companies in critical financing relationships; negotiating and documenting corporate transactions; leveraging companies’ intellectual property and establishing distribution channels; and advising early-stage companies and investors on the opportunities and complexities of equity crowdfunding enabled by the JOBS ACT.
He earned his LL.M. in taxation and his J.D. from Villanova University, and his B.A. in political science from Niagara University.
An accomplished professional, Israel joined Seneca Resorts & Casinos as an accountant in 2011 and quickly ascended to become casino controller and corporate director of finance. In 2016, she was appointed general manager of Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, where she oversaw the property’s $40 million expansion. Two years later, she was named assistant general manager of Seneca Niagara Resorts & Casinos, where she managed the $40 million Seneca Arrival Experience project and the multimillion dollar renovation of the property’s west concourse. During her tenure as assistant GM, Israel assumed full oversight of the property and was promoted to general manager in 2022. She has been recognized numerous times for her leadership and professional success.
She earned her B.S. in accounting and business/management and MBA in strategic management from Niagara University.
Kreczko is a visionary executive and industry innovator known for transforming imagination into unforgettable experiences. Over the past two decades, he has led multimillion-dollar growth initiatives and redefined guest engagement for world-renowned brands, attractions, and destinations around the globe. Serving in executive roles with companies such as RWS Global and Lionstone Development, Kreczko has helped shape transformative projects for major entertainment and hospitality brands. His collaborations span Disney Parks & Cruise Lines, Cirque du Soleil, Holland America Line, Anheuser-Busch, NCAA, Warner Bros., and numerous other global destinations. In his current role, Kreczko reimagines customer experiences for Bass Pro Shops and its destination properties, including Big Cedar Lodge and Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. Focused on guest engagement, brand storytelling, and holistic experience design, he drives creative, out-of-the-box thinking that deepens emotional connections with one of North America’s most iconic outdoor brands. His leadership spans the entire Bass Pro ecosystem—from retail stores and nature-based resorts to conservation attractions and entertainment venues—positioning each not merely as a place to visit, but as a destination to remember.
Kreczko earned his MFA in stage management from the University of California, Irvine and holds dual undergraduate degrees from Niagara University: a BFA in theatre and a B.S. in hotel and restaurant management.
Dr. O’Brien-Scannell is board chair of Buffalo Peace House, an organization dedicated to providing safe housing, meals, and necessary services for asylum seekers in the Western New York area. She also owns and operates Learning Triangle Labs LLC, which provides learner kits for use in classrooms and home school environments. A former teacher at Immaculate Conception School in East Aurora, N.Y., she has served as the chair of Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart’s board of directors and was named board member emeritus at Providence Farm Collective.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in science, a diploma in education, and a Ph.D. in plant science from University Cork College (Cork, Ireland).
