The Buffalo and Western New York Network
This part of New York is not only known for snow but is known for having a deeply connected and engaged community. Whether you call Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse or points in between home, over 400 members of this community are excited to meet you for a beer at Southern Tier or a Bison Baseball game. Watch parties and the annual service project are other great ways to connect. The Buffalo and Western New York Network is eager to connect with you and is open to alumni, parents, current students, and friends of DU. Connect with your Network Leaders below or reach out to your staff liaison to learn how to get more connected. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Featured Volunteer Leaders
Meet Jenae Pitts
Jenae Pitts moved to Buffalo in June of 2017 when she launched a small venture firm that focused on raising money for, investing in, and consulting with hardware-based startups in the region so they could bring their big ideas to life. After some wins (including a sale to a publicly traded company) and some hard lessons learned, she joined M&T Bank in Technology. Jenae is active in the Buffalo community and is on the board of Buffalo Toronto Public Media (WNED | WBFO) and the Buffalo Museum of Science. Having grown up in Colorado and attended the University of Denver (2010), she loves to be outside and tries to climb a few mountains every summer, most recently tackling Mount Marcy in New York.
Connect with Jenae
Staff Leaders
Meet Brent Thompson
Director of Regional Engagement
Brent helps guide strategy and execute engagement efforts of all alumni, families, parents and friends across the country and in select international networks as well as develops a programmatic portfolio for the regions in collaboration with Denver-based advancement team. Brent's goal is to create a culture of lifelong engagement and volunteerism among constituents in the regional markets and networks that builds our pipeline for campaign philanthropy and long-term engagement for the University's Global Network.
Brent has served in a number of different roles throughout his 15-year career in higher education for the University of Oklahoma, University of Texas system and now with the University of Denver. He is also adjunct faculty for the Executive Education in Daniels. Brent has worked in several different capacities including employer relations, career development, accreditation, and alumni engagement. Brent is a proud University of Denver and University of Oklahoma graduate and his entire wardrobe is crimson!
Connect with Brent
Meet Craig Baldwin
Director of Development, East Coast
Craig joined DU in 2022 as the Regional Director of Development for the East Coast. Originally from Maryland, he works with DU community members throughout the eastern third of the country. Craig looks forward to engaging with DU alumni, parent, and friends of DU and learning more from their experiences.
Connect with Craig
Connect With Us
VOLUNTEER
If you want to share your time and talent in any way outside mentoring and networking, check out VolunteerDU at volunteering.du.edu This portal is a menu of volunteer opportunities and your open door to engage with the DU community. Choose from a variety of one-off and ongoing projects that are meaningful to you.
The DU Career Network allows you to connect with DU students and alumni for mentoring and career networking. Share your expertise with those pursuing similar professional interests by joining du.firsthand.co.
If you have any questions about volunteering with DU, please email alumni@du.edu.
CONNECT WITH BUFFALO AND WESTERN NEW YORK NETWORK LEADERS
Please email jenae.pitts@gmail.com to connect with a DU Buffalo and Western New York Network leader today!
CONNECT WITH DU STAFF LEADER
Please email brent.thompson@du.edu or craig.baldwin@du.edu to connect with a DU staff member.
Looking for more ways to connect with DU? Please email alumni@du.edu.
Sign up to be a Network Leader
If you're interested in learning more about how you can become a DU Network Leader in Buffalo and Western New York, please click the button below and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest!
