“If our goal is to advance more women into positions of leadership, there are significant systems, policy and culture in place that we have to begin to shift,” said Sheri Scavone, the foundation’s CEO. “And we’re not doing that just as women. We’re all in this together.”

The foundation’s third annual Leadership Summit, called “Unapologetically Courageous,” is set for May 30 at the University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena. About 800 people are expected to attend.

As of mid-May, 40 men were registered for the summit. A few men have attended the summit in past years, when the event was billed as the Women’s Leadership Summit.

The “leadership ally” conference track will focus on how men can help women advance into leadership roles at employers, Scavone said. That support can take different forms.

“Sometimes, that’s through awareness. Sometimes, that’s through purposeful efforts, like sponsorships,” Scavone said. Men can also be the voice advocating for women “when they’re not in the room,” she added.

A panel will feature men talking about what they have done to support women ascending the leadership ranks and why that matters, Scavone said. The panelists were recommended by women “as men who walk the talk and are intentional about advancing women.”

A report released last year by the foundation found that women were the top-ranking leader at only 27 of the region’s 100 largest employers, even though women make up half of the workforce.

The summit will feature programming for women at three different stages of their careers. There’s also a track – which is invitation only – under the heading “SHE-Suite,” for women who are either the CEO or the senior-most leader at their organization. Fifty women were signed up for that segment as of mid May.

SHE-Suite emerged from what women in leadership roles had requested: An opportunity to meet up in person and network, and share issues or concerns they can relate to as executives, Scavone said.

The women in SHE-Suite have also committed to welcoming female CEOs who move into the area, to help them establish connections in the community, Scavone said. It is another way the SHE-Suite participants are staying active beyond the summit.

Barbara Annis, CEO of Gender Intelligence, will open the summit with an address about understanding how gender differences can lead to better communication, decision making and team performance.

“We want to drive solutions, Scavone said. “That’s what this is all about. It’s not about finger pointing, it’s not about one is better than the other.”

Annis will also hold individual meetings with the SHE-Suite and men as allies participants.

Summit attendees will be asked to fill out a postcard addressed to themselves, listing a goal they want to achieve in the next six months. Six months from now, the postcards will be mailed to them. The idea is in keeping with Scavone’s approach of making events such as the summit lead to meaningful results.

“We always try to have a call to action or have people leave with things they have to do,” she said.

Sizing up the state of DEI

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership will host its “Inclusive Impact Symposium” on June 27 at the Buffalo Bills fieldhouse in Orchard Park.

Among the topics to be covered: how the Trump administration’s executive orders freezing the federal government’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices are having a ripple effect on the efforts of profit and non-profit organizations.

Per my last passive-aggressive email

LegalBison has cracked the code on the real meaning of those passive-aggressive email messages that land in your inbox.

The provider of legal services collected common email messages and used a combination of AI and human input to analyze, explain and rank them.

“Per my last email” scored the highest on its passive-aggressive scale, earning a 9.5 out of 10. 

“AI determined that what comes across as a simple reference back actually means ‘you clearly didn’t read what I sent you,’ ” LegalBison said in its summary. “It was also determined that the term implies blame under the surface, while also hiding irritation in the note.”

Rounding out the top five, along with their AI interpretations, were: Just circling back (“You’re ignoring me”); As previously mentioned (“I already explained this”); Please advise (“Do your job and respond”); and Thanks in advance (“I expect you to do this.”)

Aaron Glauberman, co-founder of LegalBison, said it’s important to choose your words carefully.

“Tone and phrasing specifically in the workplace can mean more than many people think, as it can unintentionally create pressure, confusion, and frustration, even if the sender may mean well,” he said.

THE LATEST

The State University of New York is readying to enroll state residents ages 25 to 55 for free at community colleges.

HoliMont ski resort in Ellicottville wants tax breaks to support repairs, new equipment and other upgrades.

Five Western New York companies are getting cheap hydropower from the New York Power Authority for expansion projects.

Buffalo fintech startup Verivend has been acquired by the owners of private-equity fundraising platform Betterfront.

A son-and-father developer team plan to turn 11 houses formerly used by Medaille University for offices into homes.

The Buffalo Niagara region’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.3% in April.

National Fuel is investing more than $3 million to create a service center near the Northland complex.

Union members at five Western New York nursing homes went on strike Tuesday.

The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund has awarded grants totaling $600,000 to 30 nonprofit organizations.

The developer who wants to redevelop the former Saturn Rings Building in downtown Buffalo suffered a two-pronged setback.

The Buffalo Bisons want to create new fan gathering and party area.

A Cleveland-based aerospace firm has agreed to buy Servotronics for $110 million.

Pizza box maker Enterprise Folding Box Co. is hoping to expand by constructing a warehouse addition to its facility in Riverside.

The New York Independent System Operator says the state’s power grid needs to add renewable power generation at a higher rate to make up for deactivated fossil fuel generators.

The owner of a half-acre corner lot on Jefferson Avenue wants to construct a small four-story building on it with four apartments and three storefronts.

Once-beloved Target is struggling to recover the luster it lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oxford Pennant is focusing on efficiency and stability in its second decade.

Five years after the pandemic, workers are still in short supply across the Buffalo Niagara region.

The Buffalo Niagara region’s job total increased by 700 in April.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking aim at what she has identified as a major and growing new threat to eager homebuyers’ ability to land their American dream: Wall Street.

Catholic Health System has agreed to pay nearly $3.3 million to resolve accusations that it made payments to non-employee physicians to induce patient referrals.

Union workers at 11 area nursing homes could hit the picket line Tuesday.

A dynamic duo of local landscape contractors wants to expand its growing portfolio of warehouse and workshop space in Niagara County.

Univera Healthcare’s longtime president is calling it a career.

New York State has agreed to pay a $5.7 billion debt for its unemployment insurance trust fund.

Walden Galleria, an important employer and taxpayer in Cheektowaga, had a $220 million loan payment due May 1, which it didn’t make. What now?

Verizon, as Buffalo Bills’ “Official 5G Network,” will provide a 5G Wi-Fi network, new technology and wireless solutions to fans at tailgates and games.

Danny Winer, who serves as CEO at cookware company HexClad, has deep Buffalo roots.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.