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.
Our Mission
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.
Our Values
Our Values
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Identify passions and strengths as an individual, team member, and community leader.
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Strengthen self-belief and adaptability to address complex challenges.
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Work together by recognizing and applying the unique skills each person brings to the team.
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Use diverse ways of knowing to explore, test, and improve solutions.
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Share ideas with confidence, creativity, and purpose to varied audiences.
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Apply insights from experience to thrive in changing circumstances.
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.
Board of Directors
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Maureen Hammett
President
Leadership Coach
Principal, Hammett Leadership Development LLC -
Jill Robbins-Jabine
Vice President
Experienced nonprofit leader
(retired) -
Charlie Baxter
Secretary
Assistant Dean for Planning & Analytics, University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education
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Nick Ventresco
Treasurer
Strategy & Transformation
State Street Alpha -
Jason Bartz
Member
Vice President of Partnerships
Vero Technologies -
Sylvia Bennett
Member
Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer
Buffalo Toronto Public Media -
Alyssa Cardina
Member
Vice President | Lead Business Analytics & Reporting Analyst
Commercial Insights & Analytics | CCM & Production Reporting
M&T Center | M&T Bank
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Mark Ciemcioch
Member
Assistant Director of Enrollment Marketing & Communications, UB School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
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Duane Conners
Member
Chief Executive Officer
wellconnected LLC -
Katrina Cropo
Member
Program Coordinator
Launch NY -
Dan Greco
Member
Owner & Strategy Coach
Most Alive, LLC -
Jillian King
Member
Associate Director of Federal Grants, Sandy Hook Promise
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Alyssa Klimuszka, SHRM-CP
Member
President & Owner
HerHR Solutions -
Ja'Onni McClerkin
Member
Biological Sciences Student, Cornell University
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Cameron Smith
Member
EX Manager
Endeavor | Northeast -
Mary Glenn
Ad Hoc Member
Retired Assistant Dean of Community Engagement, University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions
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Molly Ranahan Arent
Ad Hoc Member
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Lori White
Ad Hoc Member