Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Let's get down to Business.

The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) is the premier Western New York resource for entrepreneurs like you who are looking to overcome your challenges, inspire innovation, and propel your business to growth and profitability.

Learn to be the leader you were meant to be

Whether you’re an emerging entrepreneur or an established leader, our peer-based, mentor driven programs give you the confidence you need to successfully start a business or take an existing company to the next level.

Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, the CEL’s individualized and interactive programs fit your demanding schedule. Based on proven principles and centered on best practices and emerging trends, our programs allow you to explore new methods for business growth in a confidential, noncompetitive environment with assistance from fellow classmates, UB School of Management faculty and external business experts.

The CEL Advantage

The CEL Advantage

23,000

Western New Yorkers
employed by CEL businesses
1,700

GRADS
$2.3 billion +

economic impact
from CEL businesses

Upcoming CEL Programs

Mastering Your Financial Reports

When:  Tuesdays, April 9-May 21, 2024 | 3-5 p.m.

Become an expert at reading your financial reports and get a finger on the financial pulse of your business. This program equips business owners with the knowledge needed to lead their businesses to financial success and long-term stability. 

Key Persons Leadership Development

When: Tuesdays, February 20-April 2, 2024 | 1:30-4:30 p.m.

In today’s complicated business environment, small businesses need key persons who can think critically, motivate teams, and implement action plans to reach strategic initiatives. Key Persons Leadership Development is a powerful forum that provides participants with crucial tools for a great employee to become a confident leader.  

CEL Programs

Core Program

The flagship program of the CEL, Core empowers you to overcome business challenges, create new opportunities and develop meaningful connections in the business community. As a practicing entrepreneur, you will elevate your talents and operating abilities with the help of this peer-based, mentor-driven program delivered over the course of nine months.

Emerging Entrepreneurs

The M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs program will help you move your company to the next stage of development. You will work with a mentor, attend biweekly business development seminars and networking events, and complete a revised or newly developed business plan.
 

The M&T Bank Emerging Entrepreneurs program will help you move your company to the next stage of development. You will work with a mentor, attend biweekly business development seminars and networking events, and complete a revised or newly developed business plan.

Mastery Forum

If you are a growth-minded business leader who wishes to push beyond your usual limits, this monthly forum is for you. Professional facilitators and individual coaches guide you as you navigate business challenges and execute strategic initiatives. Gain additional insights from expert speakers and an annual retreat.
 

If you are a growth-minded business leader who wishes to push beyond your usual limits, this monthly forum is for you. Professional facilitators and individual coaches guide you as you navigate business challenges and execute strategic initiatives. Gain additional insights from expert speakers and an annual retreat.

Class Connections

Already a CEL graduate? Class Connections is a monthly, two-hour facilitated session that provides a confidential forum for you to discuss challenges and opportunities with trusted peers. At the end of each session, you commit to one strategic action item and are held accountable to accomplish it.  

Already a CEL graduate? Class Connections is a monthly, two-hour facilitated session that provides a confidential forum for you to discuss challenges and opportunities with trusted peers. At the end of each session, you commit to one strategic action item and are held accountable to accomplish it.  

Key Persons Leadership Connections

An interactive forum for emerging leaders employed in small business, Key Persons Connections helps you develop crucial tools to become a confident leader and think with an ownership mentality. Topics include leadership styles, communication strategies, financial acumen and time management tactics.

Mastering your Financial Reports

Become better equipped with the knowledge you need to lead your business to financial success and long-term stability with the Mastering your Financial Reports program.


 

Become better equipped with the knowledge you need to lead your business to financial success and long-term stability with the Mastering your Financial Reports program.

Strategic Planning

Create a concise, actionable plan addressing your people, cash, strategy and execution. In this interactive workshop, you and your team will walk through the basics of creating an annual strategic plan and implementing that strategy in your organization. You will leave the program with a clear roadmap for your business that can be used to make decisions for the upcoming year.

Family Business Program

Family businesses face the same challenges as other organizations in managing performance issues, succession plans, conflict resolution, accountability and strategic decision-making. But those challenges are often far more personal in family business. Learn to view your business through the lens of Family Systems Theory to understand and effectively manage family business issues.
 

Family businesses face the same challenges as other organizations in managing performance issues, succession plans, conflict resolution, accountability and strategic decision-making. But those challenges are often far more personal in family business. Learn to view your business through the lens of Family Systems Theory to understand and effectively manage family business issues.


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Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
School of Management
University at Buffalo
UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell St., Suite 201
Buffalo, NY 14203

Tel:  716-885-5715
Fax: 716-845-6999
mgt-cel@buffalo.edu

Meet our Staff

Thank you to our sponsors

CEL Partner

The Bonadio Group CPSs, Consultants & More.

CEL Supporter

Tompkins Bank logo.