Who We Are

At The Collaborative Center for Social Innovation, we are champions for youth, and passionate about reimagining learning as a launchpad for leadership, purpose, and community transformation.

Abstract watercolor painting with swirls of blue, purple, yellow, pink, and white, with some textures and streaks.

Our Mission

To inspire curiosity and empower young people to discover their purpose and build meaningful connections. Equipping youth with knowledge, skills, and networks to be agents of change by partnering with schools and community organizations to offer high impact experiential learning opportunities.

Our Vision

Together, we will develop sustained curiosity, empathy, adaptability, skills, and habits necessary for a future of life-long learning, wellness, and innovation for social change.

Colorful concentric circles with rainbow hues including pink, blue, yellow, orange, and purple.

Our Values

Colorful swirling rainbow concentric circles pattern on black background.

Our Values

  • Curiosity

    We motivate young people to explore boldly, ask thoughtful questions and follow ideas beyond the surface so they can discover new connections for  themselves and their communities.

  • Empathy

    We encourage young people to understand the world through the eyes, experiences, and values of others, exploring beyond our own perspectives to strengthen our shared community.

  • Empowerment

    We help young people cultivate the skills, confidence, and agency necessary to develop data-informed solutions that transform their visions into realities, and know that their voice and impact matter.

Colorful concentric rainbow circles with a black center, creating an abstract spiral pattern.

Our goals for every student

Every program is designed to help students grow personally, academically, and socially—ready to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow.

  • Identify passions and strengths as an individual, team member, and community leader.

  • Strengthen self-belief and adaptability to address complex challenges.

  • Work together by recognizing and applying the unique skills each person brings to the team.

  • Use diverse ways of knowing to explore, test, and improve solutions.

  • Share ideas with confidence, creativity, and purpose to varied audiences.

  • Apply insights from experience to thrive in changing circumstances.

Colorful concentric circles with rainbow hues.
A headshot of Apryle Schneeberger, founder of The Collaborative Center for Social Innovation

Our founder

Apryle Schneeberger combines expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, progressive education, and entrepreneurship with a passion for creating safe, intellectually rich environments where students can thrive. She is committed to empowering young people to bring their authentic selves into every learning experience—and to shaping education that truly prepares them for the world.

While Apryle focuses her professional endeavors on reimagining learning, she loves nothing more than exploring and learning alongside her three young children. She is an avid reader and dreams of circumnavigating the globe.

Colorful concentric circles with rainbow hues.

Board of Directors

  • A headshot of Maureen Hammett

    Maureen Hammett

    President

    Leadership Coach
    Principal, Hammett Leadership Development LLC

  • A headshot of Katrina Cropo

    Katrina Cropo

    Secretary

    Program Coordinator
    Launch NY

  • A headshot of Nekia Kemp

    Nekia Kemp

    Treasurer

    Executive Director, Buffalo Police Athletic League of Buffalo, Inc.

  • A headshot of Charlie Baxter

    Charlie Baxter

    Member

    Higher Education Strategy and Analytics, University at Buffalo

  • A headshot of Sylvia Bennett

    Sylvia Bennett

    Member

    Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer
    Buffalo Toronto Public Media

  • A headshot of Alyssa Cardina

    Alyssa Cardina

    Member

    Vice President | Lead Business Analytics & Reporting Analyst

    Commercial Insights & Analytics | CCM & Production Reporting

    M&T Center | M&T Bank

  • A headshot of Duane Conners

    Duane Conners

    Member

    Chief Executive Officer
    wellconnected LLC

  • A headshot of Mary Glenn

    Mary Glenn

    Member

    Retired Assistant Dean of Community Engagement, University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions

  • A headshot of Dan Greco

    Dan Greco

    Member

    Owner & Strategy Coach
    Most Alive, LLC

  • A headshot of Jillian King

    Jillian King

    Member

    Associate Director of Federal Grants, Sandy Hook Promise

  • A headshot of Ja'Onni McClerkin

    Ja'Onni McClerkin

    Member

    Biological Sciences Student, Cornell University

  • A headshot of Nick Ventresco

    Nick Ventresco

    Member

    Strategy & Transformation
    State Street Alpha

Colorful concentric circles with rainbow hues.