Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership - UBuffalo School of Management

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Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership - UBuffalo School of Management

Taking Care Of Business! Designed by Entrepreneurs. For Entrepreneurs. For more information, visit http://mgt.buffalo.edu/cel

The University at Buffalo School of Management’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) is the premier resource for area entrepreneurs looking to overcome challenges, inspire innovation, and propel your business to growth and profitability. The CEL has been designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, is based on proven principles, is centered around best and next practices and is backed by the thought leadership of the University at Buffalo School of Management's faculty. More dynamic than an academic discipline and more operative than the basic rudiments of business. CEL champions entrepreneurial gusto in the pursuit of sustainable opportunities, long-term successes, financial independence and genuine personal reward.

09/10/2026

Yesterday, we kicked off CEL's 40th year of programming with the M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs program.

The new cohort spent the morning getting to know one another, sharing their businesses and experiences, and building connections with fellow entrepreneurs. They also hit the ground running with a goal-setting workshop let by Craig Garner, EE '22.

Interested in joining a future cohort? Visit our website to learn more and submit an application: https://management.buffalo.edu/centers/center-for-entrepreneurial-leadership-cel/programs/mtbank-emerging-entrepreneurs-program.html

09/09/2026

Right now, an empty classroom marks the beginning of CEL’s 40th year of programming, which kicks off today with our M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs program.

In one hour, this room will be filled with entrepreneurs sitting in these seats, sharing ideas, asking questions and learning from one another. Over the past 40 years, more than 1,800 entrepreneurs have done the same.

The classrooms may have changed. The walls may have changed. But what happens here has remained the same: entrepreneurs coming together to learn, grow and build what comes next.

Today, we begin our 40th year. And in just one hour, the next chapter begins.

09/08/2026

40 Stories for 40 Years: Alexandra Robinson

Alexandra Robinson, owner of Blue Eyed Baker, graduated from Core in 2024. Her CEL experience helped her step back from the day-to-day demands of running a business and focus more strategically on long-term growth, strengthening systems and developing her team. Just as importantly, she found a community of fellow entrepreneurs who understood the challenges and rewards of building a business.

Since graduating from CEL, Alexandra has opened a second Blue Eyed Baker location, launched a rooftop restaurant and grown her team to nearly 100 employees, all while working to maintain the quality, culture and community-centered experience that define the business.

“CEL connected me with a community of entrepreneurs who understand both the challenges and rewards of building a business. Their honesty, encouragement, and shared experience have helped me become a stronger and more intentional leader.”

Are you a CEL alum? We want to hear from you. As part of our 40th anniversary celebration, we're collecting memories, photos and stories from alumni across all four decades of CEL. Share your story: https://forms.gle/V3N8iynUQd82YhP88

09/04/2026

CEL alumni: We want to see your CEL memories!

As we celebrate 40 years of impact, we're collecting photos and memories from the alumni who have helped make CEL what it is today.

Do you have a photo from your time at CEL? A class photo, graduation photo, or even an old photo from your cohort you haven't looked at in years? We'd love to see it.

Throughout our 40th anniversary year, we'll be sharing these memories and featuring them at our 40th Anniversary Celebration in June. Help us tell 40 years of the CEL story. Submit your photos here: https://buffalo.app.box.com/f/e9d81326a87f497d9d4fffccdbd23f86

09/03/2026

The next Core cohort begins in one week, and this year marks a major milestone for the CEL: the 40th cohort of the Core program.

For 40 years, Core has brought together business owners from across Western New York to learn, connect, challenge their thinking and grow as leaders. This year's cohort continues that tradition as we celebrate four decades of the program.

We're looking forward to welcoming the 40th Core class and beginning another year of impact.

09/02/2026

Yesterday, our Advisory Council came together for its semiannual meeting and had the opportunity to tour Reworld Niagara in Niagara Falls, a waste-to-energy facility that converts non-recyclable waste into electricity and steam while recovering metals for recycling.

It was a great opportunity for council members to see the operation firsthand, learn more about the technology and people behind it, and connect with another organization making an impact in Western New York.

Thank you to the Reworld Niagara team for welcoming us and sharing your facility with our Advisory Council!

09/01/2026

Sometimes, you just need people around you who get it.

One thing we hear often from CEL alumni is that they miss the connection and accountability that came with being part of a cohort. Class Connections is a chance to bring some of that back. Alumni meet once a month for two hours to talk through challenges, share ideas, offer encouragement and hold each other accountable through professionally facilitated sessions.

If you've been missing that cohort feeling, this might be a good way to reconnect.

Learn more or reach out to us at [email protected].

08/28/2026

Did you know?

CEL publishes a bi-weekly newsletter to help you stay connected to what's happening across our entrepreneurial community.

As we prepare to celebrate CEL’s 40th anniversary, our newsletter is a great way to stay connected with upcoming programs and events, opportunities to learn and grow, alumni news, community resources and more!

Not subscribed yet? Join the list here: https://management.buffalo.edu/centers/center-for-entrepreneurial-leadership-cel/newsletter.html

08/26/2026

Want to get more involved with CEL?

For four decades, CEL has connected entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources and people they need to grow. As we celebrate 40 years, we're looking to connect with the people who want to be part of our next chapter.

If you're interested in sponsoring, mentoring, serving as a reactor, sharing your expertise or simply staying in the loop on what's happening at CEL, email us at [email protected] to connect.

You may be the next person who helps shape an entrepreneur's journey.

08/25/2026

A business can have record revenue and still struggle to make money.

If revenue is growing but profit isn't, your financial reports may be telling you something important about pricing, expenses or cash flow.

Knowing your numbers isn't just about tracking performance. It's about making better decisions. That's what we'll dig into in Mastering Your Financial Reports: helping business owners understand what their financials are really telling them.

Mastering Your Financial Reports begins Sept. 29. Learn more and register here: https://ubmgtconnect.buffalo.edu/portal/MYFR

Address

77 Goodell Street
Buffalo, NY
14203

Telephone

+17168855715

Website

http://mgt.buffalo.edu/cel

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