Upcoming Meeting

Feb 25 - 3rd annual Empower HR Panel

Join us for an engaging panel discussion exploring career journeys in HR, the critical role of HR in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) across business functions, and strategies for creating pathways for underrepresented communities to thrive in HR and beyond. Led by a knowledgeable moderator, our panel of industry experts will share insights, experiences, and actionable advice to help shape a more inclusive and dynamic workplace. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives and network with professionals committed to driving change in the field of HR.

PANELISTS:

Veronica Ragland - HR Generalist at Child and Family Services


Annika Samuels: Director of Diversity and Inclusion for National Fuel

Lindsay Stuart, LMSW, CASAC: Horizon University Operations Director at Horizon Health Services

Jason Surmaceviz, SHRM-CP: People Operations Manager at Milestone


LaTanya Walton, M.A. - Manager of Talent Acquisition & Engagement at Say Yes Buffalo

Moderated by

Constance McMillan, PHR, Talent & Culture Manager at Buffalo AKG Art Museum

Thank you to our event sponsor: The Summit Federal Credit Union

Venue: Frank E. Merriweather Jr Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 BNHRA members | $5 students | $15 future members

BNHRA is recognized by SHRM to offer professional development credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.  This program is valid for 1.5 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.

This program has been pre-approved for 1.5 general recertification credit hours toward  aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®)

      

REGISTER HERE

Tell Us What Events You Want to See!

To ensure BNHRA continues to deliver content that sharpens your skills and strengthens your connections, we need to hear directly from you. Your insights into event preferences allow us to tailor our programming to the specific needs of the Buffalo Niagara HR community.

Please share your feedback by completing our member survey. As a thank you for your time, every participant will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of two free BNHRA memberships.

Help us build the absolute best content for our chapter—and potentially score a free year of membership in the process!

MEMBER SURVEY

call for volunteer leader! 

Find out first hand why BNHRA is the premiere organization for Human Resource Professionals in the Buffalo Niagara Region and how we strive to serve the professional needs of our diverse regional chapter.  Our BNHRA board of directors has an opening for a leadership position.  

FOUNDATION DIRECTOR

Position Summary: Serve as an elected member to the chapter’s Board of Directors. Primary responsibility is to educate, promote, and represent the interests of the SHRM Foundation and its activities to the Chapter. 

Requirements: 

• Must be a BNHRA member in good standing for the entire term of office. SHRM member highly preferred. 
• Able to attend 80% of board meetings, which are held the last Tuesday of the month.
• Two-year term

Interested applicants should contact Laura Azzarella, BNHRA president at [email protected] or complete the online application here

certification prep

SHRM NYS Certification Preparation Program 2026

Your access to the most strategic HR programming in Western New York is here! 

Enhanced Members get full access to our four premier events at no additional cost:

🟢 Empower HR Panel — February 25, 2026 at Merriweather Library
🟢 Spring Legal Update — March 19, 2026 at Phillips Lytle 
🟢 Summer Legal Update — June 26, 2026 at Phillips Lytle
🟢 Fall Legal Update + HR Excellence Awards — September 17, 2026 at The Foundry

You continue to receive the full suite of standard membership benefits, including:

✔️ Discounted HR programs & workshops
✔️ SHRM & HRCI recertification credit support
✔️ Full access to the Member Directory
✔️ HR-focused job board
✔️ Volunteer & mentorship opportunities

Why go Enhanced?
This is your professional subscription to ease, access, and impact.  With the purchase of this membership, you will be able to register for our signature events at no additional cost.  These events give the Buffalo HR community strategic legal updates and contemporary best practices to drive progress across our workplaces.

The Standard Membership option will still be available; the Enhanced gives you the additional value built into your membership.

✨ If you are ready to join or renew your BNHRA membership, now is the time to take advantage of this offer. Have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Diversity Spotlight 

Collin Gehl, Chief Human Resources Officer at Say Yes Buffalo  

BNHRA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee highlights an HR or business leader from the Buffalo Niagara region whose organization is championing equity, belonging, and inclusion in the workplace.
Our goal is to amplify real stories, share effective strategies, and celebrate organizations that are doing the work to build inclusive and equitable workplaces where everyone can thrive. 

Learn about Collin in this Q & A here: Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association - Diversity and Inclusion

***If you know of a company that should be featured in an upcoming Diversity Spotlight, please reach out to our Diversity Director, LaTanya Walton, at [email protected]

HR Mentors Needed!

You probably have had a mentor (maybe even more than one!) in your career. If you have, you know what even one hour a month of advice and support from an expert can do. Think about how much that has shaped your success, and how much you could impact the success of someone else going into HR.

SHRM and SHRM Foundation are looking for dedicated HR professionals who have a passion for helping the next generation of HR leaders excel and succeed as they prepare to launch a career in HR. We are looking for mentors to work one-on-one with a SHRM student member for approximately 1 hour a month for three months. The maximum time commitment is four to eight hours (over the course of three months) and you could earn 3 PDCs!

Mentorship is a key way you can support the next generation of HR professionals and help them thrive. 

LEARN MORE HERE

To access, simply log in as a member.  Not a member yet? Learn more about joining here or reach out to our Membership Director at [email protected]

DAEMEN OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BNHRA MEMBERS!

Daemen University is offering BNHRA Members a Discount on select Graduate programs! Please click HERE to learn more!

Legal Update: Phillips Lytle LLP Alert for BNHRA Members: Labor & Employment 

Read past Legal Update articles HERE

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Corporate Membership Spotlight

Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York — especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system. 

We envision a future in which all Western New Yorkers have access to affordable healthcare in an environment that is inclusive, compassionate, respectful and judgement-free; that honors diversity and life experience; and that empowers patients to lead healthier, happier lives.  Read more

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Did you Know?

• Get Involved and Give Back!  Junior Achievement WNY Volunteer Opportunities
• Sponsorship packages available for our monthly events! Check out bnhra.org/sponsors

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Are you looking for more ways to get involved in the BNHRA and reach out to the BNHRA Community?  The BNHRA offers a variety of ways to become a sponsor:

Website Sponsorships:

• Website Logo Sponsorship
• BNHRA Home Page Sponsorship
• Career Center Page Sponsorship
• Sponsorship of an Individual Website Page 

Program Sponsorships:

• Program Featured Sponsor
• General Meeting Sponsor
• Vendor Table
• Sponsorship of Dessert and Coffee at a Dinner Meeting
• Sponsorship of Social/Networking Event

Learn more about the Sponsorship Options here!

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In Transition Memberships

Do you know of fellow HR professionals who are currently in between jobs? If so, please let them know BNHRA offers a NO cost In Transition membership package that includes our Goodwill Fund, sponsored by StaffBuffalo & HRBuffalo! 

In-transition Committee

The In-transition Committee connects BNHRA members that are currently in-transition and also those seeking a new employment opportunity with one another, as well as services in the community such as training, career coaching, and networking. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Cathy Lanzalaco at [email protected]

Helpful Resources

Check out our updated In-Transition page HERE

If you are a current SHRM member who is in a job transition, you may request a 3 to 6 month membership extension by emailing [email protected] within 30 days prior to your membership expiration date.

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Other Professional Events

Other Professional Events - be sure to check out this page for many exciting events in WNY!

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Job Postings!

Do you have an HR Position that you would like to share with the BNHRA Community?  BNHRA Members can post HR jobs for FREE! Learn more here!

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