For more than 30 years, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership has been honored to produce the annual ATHENA Awards® to support, develop, and honor women leaders in Western New York.
This year, as we return to our in-person celebration on April 5, the BNP is pleased to introduce you to the finalists who have been selected for the 2022 ATHENA® honors. This includes the ATHENA Leadership Award® and the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award® as well as the ATHENA Organizational Award® to recognize one for-profit organization and one non-profit organization that inspire women in WNY.
We will bring you profiles of each finalist in the weeks ahead, leading up to the awards event. Come back often to read the profiles and you’ll learn what it means to be an Athena.
Celebrate all of the finalists at the LIVE event on April 5, 2022 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is pleased to introduce you to 1 of 10 finalists in the ATHENA Leadership Award® category – Melinda Buckley, CFO, OLV Charities.
Meet ATHENA Leadership Award® Finalist: Melinda Buckley
Melinda Buckley is Chief Financial Officer at OLV Charities, an organization that provides philanthropic and support services to its OLV mission partners in the spirit of Father Baker.
As CFO, she oversees, directs, and maintains all financial accounts, related policies and department staff to ensure successful financial operations within OLV Charities. She has more than 20 years of financial oversight experience within the social services field and has also worked in health care finance.
Originally from California, Melinda has held high-level financial positions over the years and is most proud to serve as CFO of OLV Charities for just over 10 years. Outside of work, she participates in numerous volunteer activities including serving as the volunteer (unofficial) master gardener of the OLV National Shrine gardens. Over the past three years, she has redesigned and replanted the front and side gardens of the Basilica, with the help of many youth and adult volunteers.
We asked Melinda a series of questions to get to know her better.
First Job
Melinda began her accounting career at age 21 in hospital accounting, as the Assistant Director of Fiscal Affairs for a small hospital, clinic, and skilled nursing facility.
Career Highlights
Melinda notes she is very proud to have persevered to accomplish a great deal throughout her career – and honestly hadn’t thought of her milestones for many years. Among those highlights she includes are achieving Management Accountant Certification status; earning her master’s degree while working full time; and teaching as an adjunct graduate school instructor in the School of Public Health at the University at Buffalo.
Best Piece of Advice Given Regarding Her Career
Progress, not perfection.
Advice to Give to a Woman Just Starting in the Workplace.
Apply yourself with passion and dedication – regardless if you find yourself in your “perfect” job or a temporary situation.
About Being an Athena Finalist
“To even be nominated for the Athena Award is not only a tremendous honor but a humbling one as well. That said, being named a finalist for this prestigious award and being in the same company with this current and past array of amazing, brilliant, and fascinating women, truly leaves me speechless.”
On Buffalo Niagara
“We have so much to be grateful for in the Buffalo area! We have fabulous restaurants, amazing entertainment options, and a tremendously supportive community!”
Favorite Spot in Buffalo.
The bike trail along the Buffalo waterfront.
Added Insights
Guilty Pleasure: Crème Brulee’ (in a pinch Twizzlers!) Superpower: Perfect Recollection combined with a Photographic Memory! My Friends Describe Me As: Empathetic, supportive, compassionate, trustworthy Yearbook Superlative: Most Likely to be Found in a Garden Somewhere If I Could Swap Lives with Someone for a Day, I’d choose: My 13-year-old granddaughter.
Attend the ATHENA Awards® Luncheon
The ATHENA Awards® Luncheon is the region’s most prestigious event recognizing the professional accomplishments of exceptional individuals who are dedicated to the advancement of women. Be there when the winners are announced.
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Register to Attend Here
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