University at Buffalo School of Management

6 Buffalo Business Autumn 2017 Bridging the gap Sasha Yerkovich, executive director of Canopy of Neighbors, served as one of the breakout session leaders. Her organiza- tion helps seniors age in place by provid- ing transportation, activities and outings, and practical support with tasks like sim- ple household repairs, yard work and technology. Sam Magavern, executive director of Partnership for the Public Good, attended the Canopy of Neighbors track and says he saw many ways for leaders in business and nonprofit to learn from each other. "The quality of discussion and problem-solving was really high," says Magavern. "People who had never met each other before — and many who had never heard of this organization before — were able to come up with ideas for tangible Going for good 'unconference' brings together leaders to create sustainable social change On a rare 80-degree spring day in Buffalo, leaders from the business, non- profit and academic worlds came clad in T-shirts and jeans to Buffalo RiverWorks, where they learned best practices from or- ganizations that are changing the way busi- ness and goodness intersect. Titled "Leading Innovation in the Social Sector," this year's Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (CLOE) conference was a collaboration with the UB School of Social Work and Blackstone LaunchPad at UB, focused on what happens when the business world and social sector come together for lasting impact. The sold-out event featured presenta- tions from best-selling author and Buffalo native Seth Godin, Bak USA founders J.P. and Ulla Bak, and deans of the School of Management and School of Social Work, Paul Tesluk and Nancy Smyth. It also allowed attendees to take a deep dive into areas of social innovation and work directly with leaders f rom numerous mission-driven organizations. At these breakout sessions, leaders presented real challenges from their organizations and worked with groups of attendees to brainstorm and find innovative solutions. Representatives from African Rights Initiative International (Ghana), Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Canopy of Neighbors, Lake Shore Behavioral Health, Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY, McCullagh Coffee Roasters, Olmsted Center for Sight and Westminster Economic Development Initiative led the tracks and provided the tools and inspira- tion for participants to implement in their organizations. By K E v I N M A N N E Best-selling author Seth Godin delivers his keynote presentation at the 2017 CLOE conference. Photo: Tom Wolf

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