Creating Connections A Legacy of Helping Others

As the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, Betsy Constantine works with “the best staff in the world” to help people support causes that are important to them. The Community Foundation administers over $800 million in charitable assets, representing the legacies and foundations of over 900 individuals and families.

A legacy student at Nichols, Constantine followed in the footsteps of her father, uncle, sister, and brother. After graduation, she earned a B.A. in Economics from Franklin & Marshall College and then worked on Wall Street for eleven years, moving back to Buffalo following the crash of 2008. “I was intellectually stimulated and financially successful on Wall Street, but my work didn’t satisfy my desire to help people,” stated Constantine.

Constantine explored her passion for helping others by taking classes in social work at the State University of New York at Buffalo, earning her master’s degree in social work while raising an infant, and working full-time. She feels her Nichols education allowed her to develop the skills she needed to reach her highest potential.

“Nichols does a beautiful job of helping you learn how to think and question things. To dive in deep, do better, and strive for excellence. Nichols teachers want you to do your best—whatever that is for you.

“My teachers introduced me to books and ideas I never would have come across. They opened my mind to other cultures and communities, a mindset which is now core to my work,” continued Constantine. Teamwork, another vital skill learned at Nichols, has also played a huge role in her success.

Constantine believes, “The key to community change is linking arms to work together toward change: having good information, building relationships, and learning to work together. The unique environment that Nichols offered fueled my success, inspiring me to become the best version of myself and helping me create rewarding personal and professional

She began work at the Community Foundation in 2009, was promoted to the newly created role of Vice President of Giving Strategies in 2011, and was named Executive Vice President in 2017 as part of leadership succession planning. Assets have grown from $150 million to over $800 million during her tenure. Through partnership and teamwork, Constantine has helped the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo build an international reputation and brought over $100 million into Buffalo over the last fifteen years from national private foundations and other entities.

As CEO, Constantine helps people “do the good they want to do” and trains incoming community foundation professionals around the country, further widening the impact of her passion and talent for helping others. “There is nothing better than going to work every day and working at the nexus of passion and talent,” said Constantine. n

When you were a student at Nichols, did you know what you wanted to be when you “grew up”?

I wanted to help people. In my mind then, that meant being a doctor, so I attended college at Franklin & Marshall, a small liberal arts college in Lancaster, PA. They had an incredible premed program—and a great squash team, which was also important to me. Obviously, I took a very different path to helping people than I expected, but I use every skill I’ve built along the way!

Have you kept in touch with your Nichols classmates?

Some of my Nichols friends are still my best friends. When I lived in New York City, I never missed a chance to meet with other alums when the Head of School came to visit. I loved being connected to home and making new career connections. That’s one of the great things about the alumni network. You have a friend that can help you in every city.

What does it mean to you to be asked to speak at Commencement?

It’s such a gift. I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to speak to students who have so much of their lives ahead of them, so many possibilities. To be part of their graduation day is an extraordinary privilege.