Events

I am an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation, Turtle Clan, and have dedicated my career to empowering others within our community. A resident of Cattaraugus Territory, I have raised four daughters alongside my husband while serving in various leadership roles.

An accomplished leader with over eight years of experience at Seneca Gaming Corporation (SGC), where I have held various roles within Human Resources and Career Development. In my current position as Director of Leadership, I am dedicated to fostering career growth and development for Seneca team members, advocating for their success, and providing support for long-term career advancement.

Throughout my career at SGC, I have played a pivotal role in introducing diverse youth groups to career opportunities within the organization, helping to guide the next generation of talent into meaningful and fulfilling roles. My passion for helping others succeed extends beyond my professional life, I have consistently worked to create pathways for others to thrive.

A former elected Tribal Councilor for the Seneca Nation (2010-2014), I had the honor of leading the project to build a new Early Childhood Learning and Education Complex, a legacy project that continues to impact the community.

I hold an Associate's degree from Erie Community College (2018) and a Bachelor's degree from Empire State College (2021). I am driven by a personal and professional commitment to supporting others in achieving their fullest potential.

In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with family, traveling to Disney, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.

Gardens Buffalo Niagara History - GBN's mission is to create more vibrant and beautiful communities by sharing gardens. It began in 1995 when Marvin Lunenfeld and Gail McCarthy organized the first Garden Walk Buffalo in their Norwood/West Utica neighborhood. Over the past three decades, GBN has grown to include Garden Walk Buffalo, Open Gardens, East Side Garden Walk, and Urban Farm Day, celebrating the creativity and passion of gardeners. Engaging homeowners, artists, and community groups, GBN fosters self-expression and placemaking through gardens, serving local residents, regional visitors, and garden enthusiasts alike.

Audrey Clark - Audrey is Gardens Buffalo Niagara’s first Executive Director, previously serving as its administrative coordinator. Prior to joining GBN full-time, she was the Curator of Exhibits and Interpretive Programming for the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission. She has a BA from Niagara University and an MA from SUNY Buffalo State College. 

Grace Karambizi is a dedicated community leader and advocate with a strong commitment to empowering immigrant and refugee communities in Buffalo, NY. As the Executive Director and Lead Organizer for the Buffalo Immigrant Leadership Team (BILT), she builds leadership among community members and leads initiatives that promote social justice. Grace is a former refugee and is dedicated to the cause of immigrants and refugees, mainly those causes that bring systematic changes to allow children, youth and women to have access to equitable education and health. Grace has successfully led campaigns to address the graduation rate, language access, and better parental involvement for parents with limited English proficiency. Grace has led multiple trainings, including building relationships, self-interest etc. She holds an MA in Biology, an MS in Medicinal Chemistry, and dual BAs in Chemistry (Biochemistry) and French Literature from SUNY Buffalo State and SUNY at Buffalo. Her dedication has been recognized through multiple awards, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence: Special Award for Overcoming the Odds, and the SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship. Fluent in three other languages, French, Kinyarwanda, and Kirundi, Grace brings cultural insight, compassion, and a tireless commitment to bridging gaps between communities and promoting social justice.

Buffalo Immigrant and Leadership Team (BILT) 

Buffalo Immigrant and Leadership Team (BILT) is the only grassroots organization in Buffalo led by immigrants and former refugees—the very people directly impacted by the issues they are fighting to change. Since 2003, more than 16,500 refugees have resettled in Buffalo, seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity after surviving war, displacement, and unspeakable atrocities. Immigrants and refugees are driving Buffalo’s population growth and economic revitalization. They are taxpayers, homeowners, business owners, and essential members of this community. Yet, despite their contributions, they continue to be sidelined when it comes to decisions that shape their lives. Policies are made about them without their voices at the table. BILT was founded in 2015 in direct response to this injustice. We are a powerful collective of immigrant and refugee leaders from Burma, Rwanda, Congo, Pakistan, Somalia, and beyond. Our mission is clear and unapologetic: to equip and mobilize immigrants and refugees to take their rightful place in decision-making spaces through community organizing. BILT trains leaders in strategic community organizing, building grassroots power to address the most pressing issues in education, health, housing, and civic engagement. We are not waiting for change—we are demanding it and driving it forward. Our goal is non-negotiable: immigrants and refugees must have a seat at every table where decisions about their lives are made. We are building a future where our communities are not just surviving but thriving—where immigrant and refugee voices lead the charge for justice, equity, and lasting systemic change.

Dr. Reverien Mfizi is an educator, former professor, community advocate, and real estate developer dedicated to creating sustainable and inclusive communities. He holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and a PhD in Political Science from the University at Buffalo, SUNY, where his academic focus was in international relations, comparative politics, African politics, and public policy. Before transitioning into real estate development, Dr. Mfizi served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science at SUNY Geneseo and taught courses at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University. His work in both academia and the community has been deeply rooted in the pursuit of equitable development, especially for immigrant and refugee populations. Dr. Mfizi is the founder of Rugo Holdings Inc., a real estate development company committed to revitalizing neighborhoods while honoring their cultural and historical foundations.

Through Rugo Holdings Inc., Dr. Mfizi is currently leading the redevelopment of The Sacred Heart Commons at 198 Emslie Street, a transformative project converting a historic church and convent into a vibrant mixed-use space featuring affordable apartments, office spaces, and a daycare. His vision blends historic preservation with innovative urban planning to foster belonging, opportunity, and resilience within the neighborhood. Dr. Mfizi is honored to join the Rotary Sunrise Club to share the vision behind The Sacred Heart Commons and to explore how intentional, mission-driven development can serve as a catalyst for building stronger, more vibrant communities.

Jenny is excited to be part of the KSB Team! She holds her bachelor's degree and master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia in Music Education and now a Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo in Educational, Culture, Policy, and Society in Spring 2025. Jenny was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in Cheektowaga, N.Y. She has worked for over a decade with former refugee populations, specifically the Karen community in Buffalo through various institutions and non-profit organizations on the West Side, with her most recent position as Program Coordinator of the Buffalo State University Community Academic Center for the past five years. Her professional experience and research guides her practice in building programming and capacity for ethnic communities. In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time and travelling with her husband and two children. She also serves as the Associate Music Director at Our Lady of Hope and enjoys volunteering with the youth of the Church.

Janna Willoughby-Lohr is an artist, poet, musician, speaker and entrepreneur.  Her business, Papercraft Miracles, is an eco-friendly handmade paper art company. They make magical things out of paper that bring meaning and connection to people's lives. Specializing in sustainable weddings, events, corporate gifting and custom orders, Janna and her team create “miracles” that are handcrafted with love and a little bit of magic at their solar-powered studio in Buffalo, NY.

She was awarded a $25,000 Ignite Buffalo Grant in 2018 and was named 40-Under-40 from Stationery Trends Magazine in 2019. In 2021, her team created 500,000 seed bombs for Lowe’s Spring Garden Giveaway event. Janna was also a contestant on Meet Your Makers Showdown, a crafting competition TV show on discovery+. She was awarded the Women in Manufacturing Award from Business First in 2023. Additionally, she was the winner of the She Means Business pitch competition in 2024. She was named NAWBO Top 10 Women Business Owner of the Year in 2021 & 2025. She was also named the 2025 SBA Women-Owned Small Business Person of the Year for the Buffalo District and was given a Luminary Award from the University at Buffalo Startup & Innovation CoLab.  

Her paper flowers were included in Before & After Again at the Buffalo AKG Museum–an exhibit honoring the victims of the mass shooting at Tops grocery store in Buffalo. Janna’s work has been also displayed at the Aspen Art Museum, Weeks Gallery, 500 Main Gallery, WNY Book Arts, CEPA, Castellani Art Museum, Carnegie Arts Center, Hyatt’s, Eden Cafe, Merge, Impact Gallery, Rust Belt Books & Space 224. She’s created custom art for Pinterest, Twitter and Capital One and recently created custom gifts for Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire.

She is the host of Reach the Stars Podcast--which features inspiring stories of persistence, passion and purpose. Janna is a board member and Chair of the Economic Development Committee and the DEIB committee for NAWBO’s Buffalo/Niagara Chapter and is a founding member of their Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. Janna recently launched a course called The Art of Business & The Business of Art–a comprehensive masterclass in creative entrepreneurship. She is using a portion of the proceeds to fund an initiative called the Mama Birdie Childcare Fund to provide childcare at professional development events.

Janna is a proud mama to three little kiddos. She likes bright colors, giggling and things that are small. 

This ceremony marks the induction of new leaders, the acknowledgement of outgoing leadership, and the setting of a new course for the coming year. Changeover is a significant event in Rotary, signifying new leadership, new ideas, and a renewed focus on service. We will also be drawing the winner of our BSRC Raffle. Have you purchased your ticket yet? 

Aaron Carlson is a pastor in the United Methodists of Upper New York Conference, serving the Syracuse community at the University United Methodist Church. Aaron is a dedicated Rotarian committed to building inclusive, justice-driven communities. He most recently served as Executive Director of Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action, coordinating hundreds of volunteers to support older adults with transportation, in-home services, and caregiver respite across Western New York.
Originally from Dallas, Texas, Aaron began his professional journey in healthcare finance before transitioning into nonprofit leadership with The Dale Association, where he served as Finance Director and Vice President of Operations. His passion for personal connection and direct service ultimately led him into ministry.
Aaron is a certified candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church and is completing his Master of Divinity at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. He served Covenant UMC in Rochester for his supervised ministry and is grounded in a Wesleyan theology that emphasizes grace, justice, and radical inclusion. Inspired by Galatians 3:28, Aaron’s vision of ministry bridges pastoral care with systemic transformation, creating spaces where all people are affirmed and empowered.
A committed Rotarian, Aaron served as President of the Rotary Club of Lockport (2020–2021) and held multiple leadership roles at the district level, including Assistant Area Governor and District Learning Chair. He is the 2025–2025 District Governor for Rotary District 7090, serving clubs across Western New York and Southern Ontario. He is a Major Donor to The Rotary Foundation and supports Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self.”
Aaron’s leadership—both in ministry and service—is rooted in hospitality, justice, and hope. He believes in empowering others, caring for creation, and building spaces where everyone is truly welcome.
He lives in Syracuse, NY, with his husband, Dennis Ng, and their Akita, and enjoys hiking, environmental projects, and historical nonfiction.

Special guest Kevin Crosby

Emyle Watkins is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist with experience in newspapers, TV, and radio. Emyle is currently BTPM’s Disability Reporter and hosts the station's weekly Disabilities Beat segment. Their work has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, UpFirst and Morning Edition. Watkins has also appeared on the BBC World News and BBC 5Live during breaking news.

Outside of their work as a reporter, Emyle authored the Global Investigative Journalism Network’s Guide to Investigating Disability Issues and serves on Investigative Reporters and Editors' LGBTQ+ membership committee.

Emyle provides free and low-cost workshops to colleges, journalists, and organizations on improving coverage of people with disabilities and disability representation in newsrooms. Emyle's passion for disability reporting comes from their lived experience as a disabled and neurodivergent person who grew up with a stay-at-home disabled parent.

Wahid Sanjar brings over 13 years of progressive, cross-sector experience in public service and higher education. He holds dual master’s degrees: one in Integrated Water Resources Management from Kazakh-German University (DKU), and another in Anthropology and International Development from the American University of Central Asia (AUCA). He also earned a Project Leadership Certificate from Cornell University.
Wahid has held several leadership roles under the former democratic government of Afghanistan, including serving as Executive Officer and Chief Advisor to the Provincial Education Department in Helmand, and later as Head of Operations at the General Directorate of Science and Educational Technology within the Ministry of Education in Kabul. He subsequently joined the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), where he led the Immigrant Portfolio in partnership with USAID, coordinated operations within the Office of the President, and provided high-level executive support. He also represented AUAF in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where he coordinated U.S. Department of State-funded projects and programs for the university. He also served on the AUAF Alumni Steering Committee.
Currently, Wahid serves pro bono as an Immigrant Community Leadership Fellow at Journey’s End Refugee Services in Buffalo, New York.
His work has been recognized with two first-level commendation letters and one second-level commendation from former Presidents of Afghanistan, as well as a commendation from the Helmand Provincial Governor. Most recently, he was named an Honored Listee by Marquis Who’s Who for his distinguished contributions.
In his free time, Wahid enjoys reading books and articles on leadership, conducting research, and going for reflective walks

Anne S. Ryan has served as Executive Director of Read to Succeed Buffalo since she joined the organization in 2011.

Ryan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to RTSB in early childhood education, organizational leadership and development. Prior to Read to Succeed, Anne served as Director of Resource and Project Development with Catholic Charities of Buffalo and VP of Community Impact with the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.

Anne was responsible for implementation of Success by 6, UW's early childhood initiative, successfully developing leadership capacity in the field serving as its first Executive Director. In 2006, Anne was awarded the NYS Association for the Education of Young Children's Champion for Children award. Anne is a 1999 graduate of Leadership Buffalo and a Health Foundation of Western & Central New York Health Fellow. She was recently recognized as a Buffalo Business First Woman of Influence for 2023.

Currently Anne is a board member of the Buffalo Education Equity Task Force, Episcopal Church Home and Affilates, Inc. Foundation and Catholic Charities of Buffalo.