Dean’s Council

Esther Annan is an active and influential changemaker, working alongside community-based organizations and government agencies to improve the lives of Western New Yorkers. In her role at the John R. Oishei Foundation, she develops, manages and evaluates a portfolio of grants and initiatives, with a focus on health and human services.

She also serves as a contractor with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services through her business, Esther Annan Consulting Services. Previously, Annan was a program director for Say Yes Buffalo and held numerous roles with the Erie County Department of Social Services and Mental Health.

Annan has been recognized nationally as a fellow for the Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy. 

Mark Bonacci, PhD, LMSW, has been a professor of human services at SUNY Niagara since 1989. He holds a PhD and master’s degree in psychology from the University at Buffalo and a Master of Social Work from NYU. Bonacci’s latest book is “Social Sciences Research: Research, Writing and Presentation Strategies for Students,” co-authored with Gail M. Staines and Katherine Johnson.

Previously, Bonacci was the gratis coordinator of health care programs for International Voluntary Service, conducting field visits in such countries as Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Laos, Peru, Thailand, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Later, as chair of SUNY Niagara’s International Education Committee, Bonacci led study tours to Southeast Asia and cities throughout Europe.

Bonacci is actively involved in the Western New York community. After Community Missions opened Mark’s Place, a transitional housing program for people living with AIDS in Niagara County, Bonacci volunteered with the program until it closed in 2008. Bonacci is certified in Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention (SCIP-R) and enjoys offering trainings on the topic.

Kathy Callan is a grant writer and administrator with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit, higher education and government sectors. Before joining the district attorney’s office, Callan held roles with the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the American Lung Association of WNY.

She has co-authored and administered numerous grants, including projects from the National Institutes of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, New York State Department of Health, and the John R. Oishei Foundation.

Dr. Nancy Krtek has worked in private practice for the past 15 years and serves as an outpatient therapist for a teaching hospital in the adult behavioral health department at Kaleida Health. Her philosophy is to treat the whole person (mind, body and spirit) and maintain the integrity of the patient or client through confidentiality, pacing and a diligent focus.

Krtek began her career working at a sexual assault center and with domestic violence survivors in Ontario, Canada. While completing her MSW at UB, she worked intensely with the severely emotionally disturbed child/adolescent population and associated social organizations. Krtek received her degree as a neuropathic doctor from Trinity College School of Natural Health and has done public speaking across the U.S. and Canada.

Toby Laping, a geriatric care manager, formed Laping Sayers Associates in 1982 and led the firm for more than 25 years. Today, she is a part-time care manager and consultant to the firm’s successor, Laping Surdej Associates LLC. A licensed social worker with a PhD in public policy, Laping has also lectured and written extensively on issues related to aging.

In addition, Laping is a founding member of Canopy of Neighbors, a Buffalo-based nonprofit that creates new pathways to aging well and aging independently in our community. Among other honors, she has received the School of Social Work’s Distinguished Alumni Award, as well as the Dr. Evan Calkins Award for Meritorious Service in recognition of her contributions to the field of aging in Western New York. 

Before his current role as managing partner of Pearceco Ventures LLC, Bill Pearce was the longtime president and CEO of Pearce & Pearce Co. Inc., a real estate management and investment firm. In addition, prior to moving to Buffalo, Pearce served as senior vice president and practice manager at Stern Stewart & Co., a corporate finance advisory firm.

Pearce donates his time to numerous community boards, including 716 Squash, the Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation, Buffalo Jamaica Innovation Enterprise, Buffalo Seminary, Kaleida Health Foundation and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse.

Shatorah Roberson (she/her) is an attorney, policy advisor and proud Buffaloian known for her passionate advocacy for underrepresented and disinvested communities. She champions inclusive policies and programs that promote social and economic equity.

Roberson serves as senior policy counsel for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, with a focus on digital justice and racial equity policy. Previously, she served as a managing policy advisor at Tesla, managing state-level policy across the Northeast and Midwest. At Tesla, Roberson advocated for policies that include environmental justice, decarbonization, privacy, AI and increased access to clean cars. She also spearheaded the policy and social impact efforts at Gigafactory New York, launching multiple community resilience programs in workforce development and environmental stewardship.

Before that, Roberson served as chief diversity officer for the City of Buffalo, where she developed regional policies for equity and inclusion. Notably, she utilized public-private partnerships to enhance the capacity of small businesses, focusing on first-generation owners from historically disadvantaged communities. She holds a Juris Doctor/Master of Social Work dual degree from UB and an AI Strategy Certificate from eCornell.

Fred Saia launched Oneida Sales and Service in 1974 as an HVAC and garage door installation contractor for Sears and Roebuck. The thriving business has since evolved into a leader in the Western New York construction industry that provides environmental abatement, selective demolition and redi-mix concrete products.

Saia devotes much of his time to giving back in the community. He helped found the Charter School for Applied Technologies and served as board chair for many years. In addition, Saia has served as chair for the local March of Dimes Walk and on the boards for the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, West Falls Art Center and Buffalo Zoo.  

As CEO, Sheri Scavone leads the WNY Women’s Foundation to create opportunities for all women to learn, earn, lead and thrive. She has over 45 years of experience leading and growing public and nonprofit organizations to achieve strategic goals through collaboration, communication and connections. In addition, Scavone is a tireless advocate working to drive change towards greater acceptance and tolerance, particularly for women, families experiencing poverty, those living with mental illness, and LGBTQ+ and marginalized youth.

Scavone is a licensed physical therapist, a Health Foundation of Western and Central NY Health Leader Fellow, and a University at Buffalo Advanced Trauma-Informed Champion. She provides thought leadership for numerous local, state and national coalitions and organizations.