New Board and Advisory Committee Members Announced

For Immediate Release:

January 8, 2025

Patrick P. Lee Foundation Welcomes New Board and Advisory Committee Members

Buffalo, NY – The Patrick P. Lee Foundation (Foundation) is pleased to announce John Mineo and Larry Whistler have joined the Board of Directors as well as the newest members of its STEM and Mental Health Advisory Committees.

The Lee Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, NY that focuses its investments in two key areas – education and mental health. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grants and scholarships. In the future, the Lee Foundation will benefit from a significant infusion of assets making it one of the largest private foundations in Western New York.

Stated Board Chairman, Patrick Lee, “We are excited to welcome John Mineo, Esq., formerly EVP General Counsel with Independent Health, and Larry Whistler, CFA, EVP and Co-Head Family Wealth at Courier Capital, to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. In addition to their professional acumen, both have a long history of supporting numerous local nonprofits.” Lee continued, “Both Larry and John have served on Lee Foundation committees, and we look forward to their expanded involvement.” 

The Foundation is also announcing the expansion of its STEM and Mental Health Advisory Committees, which provide valuable advice and recommendations on key initiatives related to the Foundation’s mission and goals. Advisory Committee Members are selected for their unique perspectives and professional expertise.

Scholarships are the cornerstone of the Foundation’s education investments with more than $8.1 million awarded to 500 students. The largest and longest running scholarship program supports students pursuing post-secondary education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The STEM Advisory Committee provides insight on scholarship expansion opportunities that align with the Foundation’s goals to remove undue financial burdens on students while positioning them for future success in high-demand workforce sectors.  

Representing both academia and industry, STEM Advisory Committee Members include:

• Rob Leteste, Business Intelligence and Workforce Manager, Invest Buffalo Niagara
• Adam Pratt, President, Sherex Fastening Solutions       
• Jessica Rozycki (Lee Scholar ‘11), Midwest Aero Test Operations Senior Leader at Boeing in St. Louis, MO
• Michele Sabick, Ph.D., Dean, University of Denver Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science in CO

In mental health, the Foundation is committed to improving the lives of individuals living with serious mental illnesses. To inform its work, the Foundation proactively engages nonprofit organizations, mental health providers, stakeholders, community leaders, and philanthropic partners. With extensive experiences in treatment and advocacy, members of the Mental Health Advisory Committee include:

• Howard Hitzel, Psy.D., MPA, retired President/CEO of BestSelf Behavioral Health, Inc.
• Michael Flanagan, Esq., Partner, Hodgson Russ
• Takesha Leonard, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Glenn Liebman, CEO Mental Health Association of New York State
• Tom Rosenthal, M.D., author and past Chairman of Family Medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo

“Drawing on their significant expertise and knowledge in their respective fields, the advisory committee members share insights about the Foundation’s strategy in education and mental health,” stated Lee Foundation Executive Director, Jane Mogavero. “We are continually refining our approach and actively identifying opportunities to increase our impact in our focus areas. The Foundation is grateful for each committee member’s enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and shared commitment to our mission.”