20th Anniversary Celebration

• Director of Cardiovascular Clinical Services for Catholic Health
• Cohort 33, ‘20
• In my spare time I like to be outside taking long walks with my dog or be around any dog really. Volunteer and serve with my church.
• My favorite book is The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman. This book helps us all to look at a situation from another person’s perspective something that is essential in my opinion for a good leader.
• My inspiration comes from God, my family, feeling a sense of accomplishment from helping others.
• Being a leader means supporting the team around you professionally and personally and being willing to drive change even difficult change.

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be?

• Be open and trust your gut. I was willing to try new things and go down new paths that I never expected to encounter. I prioritized building solid relationships with people along the way who supported and guided me. You never know what opportunities will arise, who you will meet or where you will be in a few years if you are open to change.

• President & CEO United Way of Buffalo & Erie County 
• Cohort 5, ‘06 
• In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family & working at our event space, The Mahogany
• My favorite quote is an African Proverb, “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” 
• My inspiration comes from seeing the world through the optimism of my grandchildren.
• Being a leader means being authentic and being committed to the greater good rather than your self interests.

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be?

• My leadership journey consisted of a series of unconnected coincidences and preparation; that somehow came together. 

Humberto Hernandez, and I serve as the Director for Online Learning and Instructional Design at D'Youville University. I am a published author with works focusing on accessibility, Universal Design for Learning, and online learning administration. My commitment to fostering accessibility and inclusive learning environments is reflected in my significant contributions to both the public and private educational sectors, as well as in my ongoing pursuit of a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

• Director for Online Learning and Instructional Design at D'Youville University
• Cohort 35, ’21
• Beyond my professional contributions, I am an avid traveler. My wife and I share a passion for exploring the world and have journeyed together to 24 countries, with plans to continue our global adventures. Additionally, I am actively engaged in the EdTech industry, continuously advocating for inclusive and universally accessible education.
• Favorite Quote: “Every right decision I have ever made has come from my gut. Every wrong decision I’ve made was the result of me not listening to the greater voice of myself.” - Oprah Winfrey
• "What I Know For Sure". This quote resonates with me as it underscores the importance of trusting one’s intuition and inner voice when making decisions, emphasizing self-trust and authenticity.
• I draw inspiration from a multitude of sources, including the resilience and determination of individuals facing accessibility challenges and the continual advancements in technology that have the potential to create equal learning opportunities for all. Traveling and experiencing new cultures and cuisines also deeply inspire me, providing a fresh perspective and a greater understanding of the diverse world we inhabit. Additionally, I find immense inspiration from my wife, whose distinctiveness from me has been a source of valuable lessons and insights, enriching my worldview and personal growth.
• Leadership to me signifies advocating for change, fostering inclusivity, and navigating through the alterations and challenges that such changes bring. It involves leveraging both my knowledge and that of my team to effect positive impacts, viewing others' pluralisms as assets, and utilizing them to drive change. Stephen Covey’s principles guide me, emphasizing the importance of being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and putting first things first. True leadership acknowledges diversity and works towards creating a more equitable and accessible world for everyone.

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be?

• My leadership journey has been significantly informed by Bolman and Deal’s “Four Frames” model, as detailed in their book "Reframing Organizations." The practices outlined in the book, such as viewing organizations through structural, human resource, political, and symbolic frames, have been pivotal in shaping my approach to leadership. Another guiding principle has been inspired by Nelson Mandela's "Long Walk to Freedom," emphasizing that "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership." This principle has taught me the value of servant leadership and the importance of being present in times of adversity. Additionally, the principles derived from the book "Humble Leadership" have taught me the value of humility, openness, vulnerability, and building relationships based on trust. The "varying river" analogy, found in similar leadership literature, has been a guiding metaphor for me, illustrating the importance of adaptability, navigating through challenges with fluidity, and embracing the inevitable variations in the leadership journey. Covey’s principles, the creative thinking process, Edward de Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats,” and thinking diagnostically to instigate dialogical change have also played crucial roles in my leadership development. At its core, my journey is about inclusion, continual learning, and, as Covey would say, “sharpening the saw,” ensuring ongoing self-improvement and effectiveness.
   

• Nurse Manager of the Ambulatory Care Department at Erie County Medical Center Corporation
• Cohort 31, ’19
• In my spare time I am a current board member at Ripen with Us Childcare Center. 
• When I am not at work, I love to vacation plan, roller skate and read a book by Freida McFadden. I love psychological thrillers. 
• My favorite quote is, “You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.” – Jim Stovall
• My inspiration comes from my father, he instilled in me that you never quit. You finish whatever you’re doing until the end. 
• Being a leader means making the vision a reality while putting people first. Leaders need to be empathetic and connect with people to be successful. When connecting to people it means communicating with people. When communicating with people it means   listening to people. When you’re listening to people you are present. When you are present you are helping others, it feels good when you are able to make a difference.

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be?

• Daemen gave me the opportunity to audit business courses after I completed my Masters in Nursing Executive Leadership. This gave me a chance to learn the business courses in the Executive Leadership path.

• Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Head Coach for Women’s bowling at Daemen University
• Cohort 28, ’18
• In my spare time I attend my children’s sporting events. My son plays soccer, golf and bowls and my daughter plays volleyball, elite cheer and bowls
• My favorite the platinum rule: do unto others the way they want us to do unto them
• My inspiration comes from being an incredibly empathic person along with the drive to motivate others to just be kind no matter what role they are in.
• Being a leader means...creatively finding ways to connect, inspire and motivate the people around me

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be?

• My leadership journey has been like the ocean. At various points there have been waves, rip tides, it’s been salty, calm and peaceful. Being open to wherever I am given the opportunity to lead has been the practice I have adopted since graduating.

• Executive Director at Literacy Buffalo Niagara
• Cohort 03, ‘05
• In my spare time I volunteer as a literacy tutor, love to read, cook and garden. I also attend as many live concerts as possible.
• My favorite book is The Art of Possibility by Zander & Zander. I live my life through Rule #6.
• My inspiration comes from the simpler things in life. Good music, thoughtful conversations, my 5 year old nephew, and helping out anyone in my life that needs it.
• Being a leader means understanding that it is a privilege and gift. Leadership is not really about the leader, it is about impacting others.

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be?

• That life is never what it seems. And the journey to great leadership is not straightforward. You zigzag and even face set-backs. I believe true leaders remain open to the world of possibilities, always admit their mistakes and should be lifelong learners.

• Executive Director, Women’s Business Center at Canisius University
• Cohort 01, ‘03
• In my spare time I Serve on the Capacity Building Committee for the National Association of Women’s Business Centers/I enjoy hiking, dog walks, and anything my 17 year old son will do with me. 
• My favorite book or quote is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey Honestly, I read it over 20 years ago when I started this program but haven’t experienced the life changing guidance from any other book since.  
• My inspiration comes from person/people, place, activity, music, (anything that fills your heart) … When I was in high school and college, I was heavily influenced by Oprah Winfrey. I thought she modeled incredible leadership for our society overall.  In a time of exploitive talk shows, she was using her platform to help create understanding of others through intriguing interviews.  I used to want to be the next Oprah because of this and received my undergrad degree in Communication Studies with a focus in media and minor in sociology.  Today, I still try to bring society together, only now it is through the commonality of entrepreneurship.   
• Being a leader means taking on the responsibility of modeling and communicating behaviors, characteristics and direction that are for the betterment of all

If you could share anything about your leadership journey, what might it be? 

• The word “journey” is the key.  To be the best leader I can be, I am always learning and evolving.  Sometimes I’ve learned from relationships, a classroom, the hard way through a tough experience, a stumbled upon solution, troubleshooting, or strategic sought after answers, etc. The important thing is that I’m consistently seeking more learning and refining through it all.