The content and curriculum of Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s leadership development program, BNP Grow, was enhanced through a new collaboration with Niagara University.
Faculty from the university’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration shared their expertise on leadership theory, organizational behavior, and professional development with 25 up-and-coming leaders from 16 Western New York organizations. The partnership was facilitated by Kevin Morse, NU’s director of human resources.
“When this opportunity to collaborate with Buffalo Niagara Partnership presented itself, Father Maher, Christina Hoven, and I decided it was a perfect opportunity to give back to the Western New York community by utilizing our amazing faculty in helping to shape future leaders,” said Morse, referring to the university’s president and vice president of finance and administration. “(Professor) Lisa Williams also deserves a large amount of credit for helping to shape the program, which received excellent feedback from the participants.”
During five sessions running from September through November, participants learned more about the essential professional skills and knowledge they need to navigate their workplaces for success.
Topics included:
- Foundations of leadership, led by Dr. Lisa Williams, associate professor of management
- Communication and influence, led by Dr. Krieg Tidemann, associate dean and associate professor of economics
- Leading with emotional intelligence, led by Dr. Galina Boiarintseva, assistant professor of management and director of external relations at the Holzschuh College of Business at Niagara University in Ontario
- Decision-making and leading change, led by Dr. Anna McNab, associate professor of management
- Coaching and performance management, led by Joseph Winter, associate professor of accounting and academic director of the Niagara University Family Business Center
The keynote speaker for the final session was David Nasca, director of NBT Bancorp, Inc., who led an interactive discussion about the lessons learned during his leadership journey and emphasized that leadership is a selfless endeavor that requires humility, hard work, and the ability to develop individuals and your team to achieve their highest potential.
The next cohort starts in February 2026.
