Board of Consultants

Wally Altes:
Consultant, Gramercy

Michael Baumgardner:
Director of Student Services, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity, University at Albany

Michael is an experienced higher education professional with nearly twenty years working in a variety of departments and roles at eight colleges across the country. He has experience with leading, collaborating, and implementing programs and helped to open two colleges. Mike earned an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York City and a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology from Middlebury College in Vermont where he also played football. He is also finishing an M.S. in Organizational Management from The Sage Colleges and beginning work towards a PhD in UAlbany’s Educational Policy and Leadership program through the School of Education. A native of nearby Guilderland, NY, Mike returned home in 2012 to serve as the associate vice president and dean of students at a Russell Sage College.

Robert James Braathe:
CEO/Founder of BEYourStart Accelerator and Braathe Enterprises

Robert Braathe of BEYourStart Accelerator and Braathe Enterprises is a business and entrepreneur consultant, freelance business professor at several colleges, and a motivational speaker and workshop facilitator/trainer. Prior to his work here in the Capital Region, Robert worked in management positions for the Walt Disney Company, Gap and Apple. Find out more about Robert at www.beyourstart.com or www.linkedin.com/in/RobertBraathe

Jeff Buell:
President and CEO of Sequence Development

Antonio Civitella:
President and CEO, Transfinder and NY BizLab

Antonio Civitella’s career began as an intern with James Forth & Associates, a consulting firm.  He developed the company’s flagship product, Transfinder Pro.  In December 2000, he purchased the company and became President and CEO.

Three years later, Civitella received the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40 award as one of the region’s most promising leaders. Today, Transfinder serves nearly 2,000 school districts in North America and has also expanded to become a global company, with an office in Shanghai, China, and serving additional markets, including municipalities. 

Transfinder has made Inc. magazine’s list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for 11 straight years. In 2013, Transfinder completed a $7 million headquarters in Schenectady. That same year, Transfinder received the Center for Economic Growth’s Technology Innovation Award and was named a Best Place to Work by the Albany Business Review. Transfinder has since been named a Top Work Place by the Times Union and a Best Company in New York by the Society of Human Resource Management.

In 2014, Civitella received the inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year award from his alma mater, Siena College. He was also named Newsmaker of the Year by the Albany Business Review, and Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration. He was named a Technology Trailblazer by the Center of Economic Growth in 2017 and was also nominated as a Magical Mentor by Upstate Venture Connect.

In 2018, Transfinder celebrates its 30th year in business.

Civitella has made substantial investments in the region. He created a business accelerator called the New York BizLab, just launched a startup, GeoMarketing, and is a founding member of the Schenectady Smart City Advisory Commission and Live in Schenectady, a group of private investors building new homes in the Electric City. He also provides a scholarship each year to a graduating senior from his alma mater, Schenectady High School, who is seeking to major in computer science or math in college.

Civitella is also on several boards, including the Center for Economic Growth, Ellis Foundation, and Siena College’s Stack Center.

Dr. Francesca Durand:
Assistant Professor, The Sage Colleges, Esteves School of Education

Francesca Durand is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at The Esteves School of Education, The Sage Colleges where she teaches research methods to doctoral level candidates. She is also affiliated with the University at Albany School of Education conducting research in K-12 education, focusing primarily on leadership roles and policy implementation. Francesca is a graduate of Binghamton University (BS, Economics) and University at Albany, SUNY (MS and PhD in Educational Administration and Policy Studies).   

Robert Frederick:
Founder and Career Development Coach of Employee Development Associates

Bob transitioned his extensive experience as a career development coach and administrator on college campuses into a business that recognizes and unleashes the talents within individuals and organizations. Between SUNY Cortland, Schenectady County Community College, and his own business, Bob has assisted over 10,000 people in their attainment of meaningful work and new learning environments.  He also has been and continues to be a leader and mentor in career development organizations in New York State. For more information about Bob, visit http://theoppzone.com/

Dr. Jonathan Gagliardi:
Associate Director, Center for Policy Research, American Council on Education

Matthew Grattan:
Director, Community and Economic Development, University at Albany

Matt Grattan is the Director of Community and Economic Development at the University at Albany and leads the business partnership efforts at the university for research collaborations and new venture development.  He oversees Innovate 518, the Capital Region Innovation Hot Spot program, the University’s StartUP NY program and serves as President Havidán Rodríguez’s liaison to Empire State Development in his role as co-chair of the Capital Region Economic Development Council.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.   

Jonathan Jones:
City of Albany, Commissioner of Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services

Jonathan Jones of the City of Albany leads the departments of Recreation, Youth & Workforce Services. Prior to his work in the City, Jonathan managed programs for the State Education Department. Find out more about Jonathan at www.linkedin.com/in/Jonathan-P-Jones-m-s-41a8492b

Robbin Jorgensen:
CEO/Founder of Women Igniting Change

Robbin Jorgensen, CPCC, PCC, is the Founder and CEO of Women Igniting Change® a global purpose-driven organization geared toward unleashing the contribution of women around the world. Robbin is a highly successful businesswoman with 25+ years of experience in sales and marketing, training, and business development. A sought-after speaker and women’s leadership strategist, she is a staunch advocate for women and girls around the world as well as U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda's AVEGA Agahozo.  Her company supports forward-thinking organizations committed to fully leveraging the strategic potential of their women leaders.  They are trusted by major organizations including Microsoft, Bank of America, Deloitte, General Electric, Oracle, S&P Global, and Cisco. Women Igniting Change® reaches women in 46 countries around the world.

Mary Ellen Mallia, Ph.D.:
Director of Sustainability, University at Albany

Mary Ellen Mallia is the Director of Sustainability for the University at Albany.  She is charged with coordinating sustainability activities related to curriculum, operations, research and engagement and has developed robust educational and engagement activities to complement the campus’ sustainable operation initiatives. Before joining UAlbany, Mary Ellen worked in financial management at General Electric and taught for many years at both the high school and college level.  Information about the Office of Sustainability can be found at: www.albany.edu/gogreen

Maureen McGuinness:
Economic Advancement and Member Relations Manager, Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Maureen McGuinness is Economic Advancement and Member Relations Manager for the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this position she oversees the Chamber’s workforce and economic development, member relations, and business planning initiatives that impact more than 900 member businesses employing 43,000 people in the Capital Region.
Maureen has spent over 25 years in development and public relations. Prior to that she served as a reporter. She received various awards for her writing during her tenure as a reporter. Maureen is a graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie. She is an active volunteer in her community serving on boards and committees for the Town of Niskayuna as well as the Niskayuna Central School District.

Alfredo Medina, Jr.:
Executive Director, Office for Public Engagement, University at Albany

Alfredo Medina, Jr. directs the Office for Public Engagement.  Medina works with faculty, staff, and students to advance UAlbany’s public engagement and outreach agenda. He joined the University at Albany in February 2015 as special adviser for educational engagement at the Capital South Campus Center (CSCC).  As a liaison, he worked closely with community partners and coordinated UAlbany expertise across disciplinary units to build a base of integrated support for immediate priorities and longer-term needs for the CSCC.  To find out more about Alfredo, please visit: https://www.albany.edu/publicengagement/about.php.

Kristine Moore:
Computer Science Administrative Manager, University at Albany

Angelicia A. Morris:
Executive Director, Schenectady County Human Rights Commission

Angelicia A. Morris is currently the Executive Director of the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission, and serves as the primary point of contact for anyone whose rights have been violated.  She also works as a partner with many agencies and organizations to prevent rights violations from occurring.  Ms. Morris is the youngest person and the first African American female in Schenectady County history to oversee a county agency.  She was originally appointed to the Commission, in 2006, while working for the City of Schenectady and Mayor Brian Stratton.  She served as a Commissioner for over six years and as Chair of the Commission for two and a half years.   She was appointed Interim Executive Director in January 2013 and formally appointed Executive Director in July 2013.

New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer appointed Ms. Morris as the Assistant to the State Lottery Director, in 2007 and she was promoted to Communications Coordinator, where she traveled statewide, for five years, with Yolanda Vega and coordinated New York State Lottery Winner Press Conferences.

Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton selected Ms. Morris as his Executive Secretary, in 2004, and she continued in this position for three years.

Ms. Morris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Public Policy from the University at Albany in 2001, after she received an Associate’s Degree in Political Science from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY.  She was very active on campus and was elected Vice President of the University at Albany Student Government; served as a Student Senator in the University Senate; was selected as the Educational Affairs Student Director; was an appointed member of the University President’s Council; and she was elected as a student representative to the University Board of Trustees. 

A Legislative Intern in the New York State Assembly, during college, she was assigned to Assemblyman Edward C. Sullivan, of Manhattan, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, and Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette, of Queens, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.  After graduation she was promoted to Legislative Assistant to Assemblyman Edward C. Sullivan.  And later, she was Office Manager and Executive Assistant for Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine of Watertown. 

Ms. Morris currently serves the community on several leadership boards, committees, and task forces, including: Northern Rivers, Board of Directors; YMCA, Schenectady Branch, Board of Directors; Siena College, MLK Lecture Series, Advisory Board; Black Women of Albany Association (BWAA), Hudson Valley Community College Foundation,  the Schenectady County Community College Foundation, the UAlbany Student Affairs Council and the UALBANY Center for Women in Government.  And she has been recognized with several awards, which include: Women of Achievement Award from the Northeastern YWCA (2014); Black Women of Albany Association, Women of Distinction Award (2014); and the Christian Women United Association, Human Rights Award (2014); The Capital District YMCA Black & Latino Achiver (2015) and the Greater Capital Region YWCA Resourceful Woman Public Servant Award (2017).  She has been highlighted in various media, including: a Cover Story of the Capital Region Women @Work Magazine (January 2015); Guest on the Ann Parillo Schenectady Today Show, the Carla Page Show; the Assembly Update Show, Today’s Women with Elaine Houston (WNYT-Channel 13) and she has also been featured in several local commercials.
Ms. Morris is the third child of four children born to her parents Anthony and Sandra Benton Morris, in Binghamton, New York.  Following her graduation from Binghamton High School, she and her family moved to the Albany area.

She is single, resides in Schenectady, and spends her free time with her family.  She is an avid runner, cyclist and loves to travel.

Dr. L. Oliver Robinson:
Superintendent, Shenendehowa School District

Dr. L. Oliver Robinson serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Shenendehowa Central School District since July of 2005.  Prior to coming to Shen, he served as the Superintendent of the Mohonasen CSD. His recognition as the 2013 New York Superintendent of the Year speaks to his unwavering belief in the transcending and transforming power of a quality education.

Dr. Robinson is the author of a recently published book, Naked in the Public Eye - Leading and Learning in an Era of Accountability.  The book provides a practical road map to success and illuminates the mental and emotional fortitude needed in leadership positions. 

James Salengo:
Executive Director, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation

Jim Salengo has served as executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp. (DSIC) since 2008. The nonprofit organization enhances the visual appeal of Downtown Schenectady, NY; increases awareness and patronage of downtown businesses; spurs activity through a series of events and promotions; and assists with business and community development. Prior to DSIC, Jim held management roles at the Downtown Albany BID and WMHT. He is an active community volunteer and has received several regional honors, including the Albany Business Review’s 40 Under 40. Jim holds a BA in English from the University of Vermont and an MBA from the University at Albany.

Sheri Stevens:
Director, Community and Public Service Program, University at Albany

Karan Verma:
University at Albany alumnus and Advisory Associate for State and Local Government at KPMG

Karan pronounced (car - in) is an alumnus of the University at Albany. Karan finished his BA in Public Policy in 2016 followed by his MA in Public Administration from Rockefeller College in 2017. Karan offers a breadth of experience in leadership development, social entrepreneurship, and startup incubation. In his current role, Karan helps State and Local Governments innovate their people, process, and technology and has been specializing in the industry of Health and Human Services and Intelligent Transportation. Karan's rolling mantra is to do serious work, but never to take himself too seriously.