We’re delighted to cast a spotlight today on Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies’ six new Board of Trustees for 2023: Lisa J. Allen, Jeff Bagel, Sarah Gelman Carney, Bruce Corris, Penny Howard, and Jake Warner.
Lisa J. Allen is the owner of the Law Offices of Lisa J. Allen, PLLC, concentrating her practice in trusts and estates. She is also an adjunct instructor at UB School of Law. Professionally, she has served as a member and a delegate for various sections of the New York State Bar Association. In the community, she has been on numerous advisory committees for not-for-profits. She was named a Western New York “Woman of Influence” by Buffalo Business First, selected as an Upstate New York Super Lawyer by the Thomson Reuters Organization and a Best Lawyer of Western New York by Buffalo Spree Magazine. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Binghamton University and her Juris Doctorate at the UB School of Law, where she was awarded a Baldy Fellowship for the Study of Law and Social Policy. Lisa resides in Snyder.
Jeff Bagel, CFRE, is the Managing Principal of eAdvancement Consulting. His extensive experience in providing fundraising counsel leads organizations to maximize their philanthropic potential. He is the author of “Annual Fundraising Plans Made Simple,” a book which has been sold in more than 30 countries and has become a resource for fundraisers worldwide. Jeff is a sought-after speaker, panelist and moderator at fundraising conferences both locally and nationally. Professionally, he has served in chief fundraising roles at a variety of institutions in the educational, arts and cultural and healthcare fields. Jeff is involved in numerous community organizations including MusicalFare theatre. A lifelong resident of Western New York, Jeff received his BA in Communications from Buffalo State College and resides in Williamsville with his wife, dog and three birds.
Sarah Gelman Carney is owner of Sarah G. Carney LLC, a consulting firm focusing on organizational compliance and governance, project management and strategic planning among other areas of expertise. She has served as Chair on the New York Council for the Humanities and has been on the Leadership Teams of the HITS Foundation and Community Resources for Justice. Sarah received her BA in History and American Studies from Colby College. Sarah resides with her family in Buffalo.
Bruce Corris is the President of BMD Publishing in Williamsville, one of the largest producers of business podcasts and the publisher of numerous best-selling business and marketing books. Prior to BMD, Bruce was a producer and manager in television news, both in Buffalo and several other U.S. markets, and was the recipient of multiple Emmy Awards. In the community, he is the Immediate Past President for Congregation Shir Shalom and has volunteered in CSS’s leadership in many roles over the years. Other community organizations who have benefited from him are FeedMore WNY and the Sweet Home School District, where he is on the Distinguished Alumni Wall of Fame. He is a graduate of Buffalo State College, where he has served as an adjunct professor and a member of the Media Advisory Council. He resides in East Amherst.
Penny Howard, CPA is a Senior Account Executive, Sustainable Infrastructure with Johnson Controls, a global company that creates intelligent buildings, efficient energy solutions and integrated infrastructure that work seamlessly together to deliver on the promise of smart cities and communities. She has worked in Higher Education for much of her professional career serving as CIO, CFO, AVP and VP at various colleges and universities. In the community she is current President of the Board of Directors for Assembly House 150. She received her BSBA in Accounting from Longwood University, and her Executive MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Penny resides in Buffalo.
Jake Warner has been a Real Estate Agent for ten years, currently with Gurney Becker & Bourne. He specializes in helping people purchase and sell real estate in Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs. He received his Bachelors’ from Colgate University. He is engaged with multiple charitable events and public outreach through Gurney Becker & Bourne. He is a member of Temple Beth Zion. Jake and his partner live in Buffalo.
The Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies (FJP) was established in 1911 to provide for the quality and continuity of Jewish life in Western New York and around the world through private philanthropy. FJP seeks, accepts, manages and distributes charitable legacies, bequests, trusts, endowments and other philanthropic funds for the benefit of our community.
