About Us
Make a Donation
Become A Member
Who We Are
The Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable (SBR) is a collaborative group of 70+ member organizations across our region that are demonstrating how to integrate sustainability into their organizations to benefit staff, the environment, and their bottom line. Our business leaders across industries and in both public and private companies are optimizing use of energy and materials, reducing waste and pollution, and enhancing community investment.
By leveraging the collective knowledge and lessons learned from our member organizations, along with sustainability subject matter experts across our network, we offer advice and inspiration, along with access to tools that help reduce risk and advance sustainability.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
The mission of SBR is to foster collaboration that enables our member businesses to create, build and act on sustainability goals, grow prosperity, and promote healthy communities.
Our Vision
Our vision is to grow and support an environmentally and economically resilient community that prioritizes the well-being of current and future generations.
Our Work Matters
By leveraging the collective knowledge of a diverse business pool, SBR offers members practical advice, inspiration, and access to tools that can be implemented to reduce environmental impact while achieving economic gain and risk reduction. We provide leadership to create competitive advantage and contribute to a thriving, sustainable future for the Western New York region.
Our History
Earth Day 2014
SBR was kicked off with 35 founding member businesses after months of behind-the-scenes planning. Six months later, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced award of a grant to Empire State Development and Erie County to fund a staff person for two years to assist the steering committee.
2015
Members adopted Bylaws and elected our first Board of Directors.
2015
SBR launched the Sustainable Business EXPO, which transformed into our annual signature event, the Sustainable Business Summit.
2018
SBR implemented membership dues. In addition to a more diversified funding strategy, this enabled SBR to hire a full-time coordinator in 2019 to better advance SBR’s mission and vision on behalf of our members.
2020
The Board of Directors approved our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy that commits to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all aspects of our programming. It also outlines action items that SBR is committed to to help promote diversity and inclusion in our workplace and the sustainable business community we serve.
2021
SBR’s Board of Directors presented a Strategic Plan Summary to the membership.
Board of Directors
Whitney Skeans
Board President
Lead Program Manager, Electric Vehicles – NY
National Grid
Patrick Goraj
Board Vice President
Director of Facilities and Engineering
Catholic Health
Sarah Herbst
Treasurer
Global Sustainable Sourcing Manager
Rich Products Company
Jamie Hamann-Burney
Secretary
Chief Strategy Officer
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
Ryan McPherson
Director
Chief Sustainability Officer
University at Buffalo*
Bonnie Lawrence
Director
Deputy Commissioner
Erie County Department of Environment and Planning*
Fenna Mandolang
Director
Operations Manager
Modern Corporation
Amanda Pike
Director
Chief Operating Officer
thinkPARALLAX
Bobbie Armstrong
Director
Director of Impact Ecosystems
Uptake Alliance
Liesel Schwarz
Director
Director of Sustainability
Delaware North
Anne Pfuntner
Director
Sustainability Governance Lead
M&T Bank
* Erie County and University at Buffalo hold permanent seats.
Acknowledgements
We’d like to extend our appreciation to the following individuals for serving on the steering committee during the development of SBR.
Eric Lindstrom, CannonDesign
Deb Gondek, Rich Products
Jeff Oliver, McCullagh Coffee
Mark Casell, Siemens Industry US
Thomas R. Hersey Jr., Erie County
Andrew Goldstein, Erie County
Mark Shriver, Curbell
Staff Members
Anna's Bio
Anna Attea serves as Executive Director of the WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable, where she leads initiatives to advance sustainability practices across Western New York. Inspired by her upbringing on Lake Ontario and her deep-rooted love for her hometown of Buffalo, Anna is passionate about creating a sustainable WNY community where businesses and individuals can thrive.
A graduate of THE Ohio State University, Anna holds degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. Her career began at the Ohio State Senate, where she specialized in public relations and policy development.
In 2018, Anna returned to Buffalo and established the inaugural sustainability program at Life Storage, a $13 billion publicly-traded REIT. Under her leadership, this program earned multiple awards for sustainability reporting, implemented company-wide DEI and community engagement programs, and reduced overall carbon emissions despite the company’s rapid expansion. Anna’s areas of expertise include sustainable operations, organizational strategy, change management, and carbon emissions reduction.
Recognized as a strategic thinker who can devise and lead initiatives that engage a variety of stakeholders, Anna is set to play a crucial role in driving sustainability efforts in WNY. Beyond her professional achievements, Anna is deeply committed to her community and is known for her outgoing personality. She has a natural ability to connect and inspire, and with her collaborative leadership style, she is well-positioned to shape a sustainable future for the region.
Outside of work, Anna spends her time painting, cooking, hosting friends and family, and walking her dog, Mowgli. She remains dedicated to her vision of making Buffalo and Western New York a model of sustainability and community resilience.
Bea's Bio
Bea has a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and environmental science from the University at Buffalo. She has a passion for creating more sustainable urban environments through community education and equitable planning. She believes that all communities have the right to be knowledgeable in sustainability topics that impact them and should have the opportunities to learn and ask questions about these topics.
Erin's Bio
Erin is an experienced marketing and communications professional committed to helping others feel connected to their community through authentic, conscientious, and creative, engagement and communications. This desire has led her to roles in higher education, social media, marketing strategy, and as an entrepreneur. Erin is passionate about building a better future for the Buffalo community through her experience with Leadership Buffalo as a Rising Leader, the Young Professionals of Olmsted Parks, and her business Buffalo Bound. Erin is a graduate of D’Youville University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in international business.