Michael Weiner, President and CEO of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County since 2009, will retire this December.  Michael came to Buffalo to attend the University at Buffalo where he earned his Bachelors in Psychology and Masters degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and Business Administration.

Michael is a proven change leader, relationship builder and influence manager. During his tenure, the agency has grown its endowment from $900,000 to $18 million, while shifting its community funding model to focus on programs in three core areas. Michael is also credited with helping to diversify funding streams coming into the agency, including growing government and foundation grants and new fundraising programs beyond traditional workplace giving campaigns. Trina Burruss, United Way’s Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Michael in January.

This weekend, Michael will join other volunteers as part of a group of daredevils who are raising funds for United Way and John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital through the urban rappelling “Over the Edge” fundraising challenge.  Michael and the other fundraisers will be rappelling 21 stories at One M&T Plaza. As of yesterday, Michael exceeded his fundraising goal by raising nearly $6,000! “As I move toward retirement at the end of the year, I can’t think of a better way to support the work of United Way and Oishei Children’s Hospital. The community is truly better off because of the important contributions these organizations make each day on behalf of those most in need.”