University at Buffalo School of Management

Alumni Impact Each May, School of Management professional staff gather for a day of learning and networking at an all-hands retreat. For 2017, the planning committee devised a day in the style of the Emmy- winning TV show, "The Amazing Race." Dubbed "Mission Possible," our version sent staff into the community to meet with organizations owned or impacted by School of Management alumni so they could see, firsthand, the impact the school has on these organizations and how the work of our alumni benefits Western New York. In all, staff members visited 34 area businesses and organizations. These pages feature just a few highlights from Twitter posts shared during the retreat. To see more, visit the Storify timeline at http:// bit.ly/ubmgtimpact. — Kevin Manne Mission Possible 1. Michael Weiner, MBA '90, president and CEO; Rema Hanash, EMBA '16, director of resource development; and Andy Lashua, EMBA '15, program director – financial stability; at the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. The organization invests more than $19 million annually in local organizations and programs related to literacy and education, health and wellness, and financial stability. 2. School of Management staff at the Olmsted Center for Sight. Led by Tamara Owen, EMBA '02, Olmsted is a Center of Excellence for blind and visually impaired children and adults. Currently, 4.2 million Americans ages 40 and older are visually impaired. By 2030, when the last baby boomers turn 65, this number is projected to reach 7.2 million. 3. Michelle Bulan, BS '91, MBA '92, executive director of marketing and corporate communications for Perry's Ice Cream, at the company's headquarters in Akron. Led by Robert Denning, EMBA '00, Perry's many partnerships with the School of Management include the Corporate Champions program and efforts to recruit students for internships and full-time positions. 4. Joe Nardecchia, BS '03, was a longtime homebrewer before opening Niagara Craft Spirits with fellow UB alumni Todd Snyder and Keith Curtachio. As a New york State Farm Distillery, Niagara Craft Spirits sources at least 75 percent of the ingredi- ents for each product from within New york State. For example, the 1808 Silver Corn Whiskey is made with 81 percent local corn, sourced from a farm within 10 miles of the distillery. 5. School of Management staffers pose outside beHealthy Institute, a health and wellness facility in Hamburg. Jill Chiacchia, MBA '94, is the founder and director of the 2 1 3 24 Buffalo Business Autumn 2017

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