2021-2023 Board of directors
President
Vice President
Vice President
President: Gwendolyn A. Bork
• Full Name: Gwendolyn A. Bork
• Title: Financial Advisor
• Name of Organization you represent: The Legend Group
• Strengths: Non-profit Entrepreneur, Community Leader and Business Owner. NYS Certified Addiction Recovery Coach and Trainer of Trainer. Organizational Development. Public Speaker. Founder of FOCUS.
• WHY you wanted to be on our board: I have a personal passion to empower our youth into becoming the leaders they were meant to be through community collaboration and support. I have a personal story that identifies with their struggles from leaving home at the age of 15 and almost dying in a car accident at the age of 18 after losing my sense of “self”. I know where they are because I’ve been there and my legacy will be in pouring my life into them.
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President: Laura Colca
• Full name: Laura A. Colca Esq.
• Title: Partner
• Name of Organization you represent: Goldberg Segalla
• Strengths: Kindness, Dedication, Perseverance
• WHY you wanted to be on our board: I wanted to be on the Board because I believe there is such a great opportunity with FOCUS to effectuate real change and help kids struggling which could lead to addiction issues.
Secretary
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary: Deb LaBounty
• Full Name: Deborah LaBounty
• Title: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Name of Organization you represent: Spectrum Health & Human Services
• Strengths: Several years of experience working effectively with children and youth both voluntarily and professionally. Creative and hard working with a solid commitment to reaching goals that have far reaching impact on the whole community
• WHY you wanted to be on our Board: My heart is always with the most vulnerable among us and I believe it is my purpose in life to do my best to support and help them through compassion, education and opportunity.
Treasurer
Board of Director
Treasurer
Treasurer: Jessica Mead
• Full Name: Jessica Walker-Mead
• Title: Administrator
• Name of Organization you represent: FOCUS
• Strengths: Compassion and patience for others, quick witted and excel at problem solving.
• WHY you wanted to be on our Board: I want to be able to make a difference in our local community.
Board of Director
Board of Director
Board of Director
Board of Director: Audrey Hamernik
• Full name: Audrey Hamernik
• Title: Village of Depew Trustee
• Name of Organization you represent: Village of Depew
• Strengths: I have been a resident of Depew for the past 57 years. I currently serve as Trustee for the Village of Depew and have been a highly motivated community outreach coordinator for over 38 years. I advocate for positive change by bringing the community together to address social issues affecting our residents.
• WHY you wanted to on our board: As part of community development chairman of village of Depew, I wanted to be involved in something that is creating positive change for the youth in our community.
Board of Director
Board of Director
Board of Director
Board of Director:
McKenzie Gawel
• Full Name: McKenzie Gawel
• Title: Depew High School Student
• Name of Organization you represent: Depew High School
Board of Director
Board of Director
Board of Director
Board of Director:
Debbie Glowny
• Full name: Debbie Glowny
• Title: VP/Community Office Manager
• Name of Organization you represent: Bank on Buffalo
• Strengths: I have been a successful dedicated leader & mentor in the financial world for over three decades. I’m active in numerous Not for Profits and have countless connections in the business world
• WHY you wanted to be on our Board: I wanted to be a part of the organization because…. I love to make a difference and give back whenever possible. If I can help to deter one student from going down the wrong path and getting a bad start in life… then it’s all worth it.