About BoardStrong
Learn more about our organization and the values that drive us.
Our Vision
To have more knowledgeable and diverse leaders on more nonprofit boards serving their communities for the public good.
Our Mission
To transform the flow of knowledgeable and diverse leaders onto nonprofit boards by:
- Identifying and guiding new leaders into board service.
- Fostering a more efficient process for boards to fill their leadership needs.
Our Core Values
- Unyielding focus on strengthening nonprofit boards
- Strong spirit of collaboration
- Dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Fundamental belief in the value of citizens serving as volunteer trustees
- Deep commitment to respectful communication
- Protection of privacy
Questions about using BoardStrong’s matching portal? Click here to view our FAQ page.
Our Board Officers

David S. Birdsell, PhD | Board Chair
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kean University

Althea Luehrsen | Vice Chair
CEO, Leadership Buffalo, Inc.
Althea became the 4th Executive Director of Leadership Buffalo in 2012. Prior to her appointment, she was at the University at Buffalo for eleven years and held positions as the Executive Director of UB’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Assistant Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Relations.
Ms. Luehrsen holds an extensive background in business and leadership that include management positions within the University at Buffalo, Abbott Laboratories, and Marriott Corporation. Althea is a graduate of the SUNY Empire (Empire State College) where she received both her BA and MA. Her published work, entitled “A Historical View Of The Development and Growth Of Women-Owned Businesses in The United States and the Motivation Behind the Growth” can be accessed on-line.
Althea currently holds several board and committee positions including Erie Community College Foundation Board and Empire State College Alumni Board Member. She is a past president of the WNY Affiliate Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Joe Del Toro | Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer and Director of Portfolio Operations, Argand Partners
Joe has over 20 years of finance, general management, operations, private equity, and M&A experience. His current role is CFO & Director of Portfolio Operations for Argand Partners LP. Previously he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Novitex, where he oversaw accounting and finance operations. Earlier in his career, he worked in private equity at Lazard Freres and HIG Capital Management and in Morgan Stanley’s Mergers & Acquisitions department. Joe received his MBA from the Harvard Business School and received a BA in Mathematics from Columbia University.

Daniel Flax | Secretary
CIO and Advisor 360, MassMutual
Daniel is the CIO and Advisor 360 for MassMutal. Most recently, he was the Chief Technology Officer for OmegaOne and the Chief Information Officer at TheStreet. Prior to TheStreet, Daniel was the Chief Information Officer for Cowen Group, where he was responsible for the delivery of technology services to all areas of the bank, including research, investment banking, and trading. Mr. Flax holds a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and was an Undergraduate Research Fellow in High Energy Astrophysics at CalTech in a joint program with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA.
Our Board of Directors
Jabari Bell
Managing Partner
Walter & Wells Real Estate Group
Mary Ellen Cologero
Senior Wealth Manager
Wilmington Trust
Marina Cvetkovic
Co-CEO and Co-Owner
Heimann Cvetkovic & Partners AG
Janet T. Farrell
Group Vice President, Education and Nonprofit Banking Group (Retired)
M & T Bank
Reg Foster
Principal
RB Foster Consulting
Joanne Florino, Ex Officio
Adam Meyerson Distinguished Fellow in Philanthropic Excellence
The Philosophy Roundtable
Eleanor Hume
Director
Your Part-Time Controller, LLC
Hsing Hsing Li
Managing Principal
ACELER8.AI
Rachel D. Pardoe
Senior Program Officer
The New York Community Trust
David M. Rottkamp, CPA
Partner & Not-for-Profit Practice Leader
Grassi Advisors & Accountants
Tai Terry
Our Staff

Megan Allen
CEO
Megan is a trusted nonprofit leader of two decades with proven managerial, communications, and team-building skills who specializes in organizational growth. She is also a board member with the Capital District Women’s Employment and Resource Center.

Barbara Paxton
Director
Barbara has years of experience working with nonprofit boards and helping them achieve success. She is an expert in personalized board matching services and has served on boards of The Pearl Theatre Company, Heiress Productions and the New York Junior League.

Malick Diomande
Community Engagement Coordinator
Malick aims to help bolster the capacity of nonprofit boards by connecting members with information and resources to help further their organization’s mission. He is a Cornell University graduate with a degree in Government, who also serves as a high school track and field coach.