MSW/MBA student Kelly Zaky's only experience with
a board of directors was when she worked as an entry-level
employee at a nonprofit organization.
"The term 'the board' was floated around in an oen
mysterious, untouchable way, so this was how boards lived
in my mind," she says.
So when Zaky was invited to join the School of
Management's new Nonprofit Board Fellowship (NBF)
program, she wasn't sure what to expect.
Once she became part of the NBF program and partnered
with Buffalo-based ballet organization Neglia Ballet Artists
for her fellowship, Zaky found a network of people invested in
educating and helping the next generation of board members
and businesses thrive.
"Behind the curtain, board members are just like anyone
else: passionate individuals pursuing greatness for the things
they care about," she says.
A collaboration between the School of Management's
Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness
and the school's Career Resource Center, the NBF intro-
duces MBA students to the intrinsic value of board service.
Students participate in a foundational curriculum that
blends the concepts of board governance, servant leader-
ship, and diversity and inclusion, with an academic year of
service as nonvoting board members with local nonprofit
organizations.
While the first class of fellows has had to adapt to a
world gone virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic, they
have contributed to organizations across the region through
monthly board meetings, committee meetings and projects
that make a direct impact.
By Kevin Manne
Pre-professional student Rowan Lindamood trains with
Artistic Director Sergio Neglia at Neglia Ballet Artists.
Photo: Rebecca Lindamood
From the classroom
to the boardroom
Nonprofit Board Fellowship connects
students and community organizations
for leadership development
14 Buffalo Business Autumn 2021
