Paula R. Valente leads Medaille's fund raising and communications operations.

Paula brings to this role a strong background in community relations and public policy. Most recently, she served as associate vice president for development at Canisius College, an institution from which she is also a graduate. Prior to that position, Valente held leadership positions as the executive director of the YWCA of Greater Portland (Maine), president of the Institute for a Strong Maine Economy, president and CEO of the Maine Health Care Association, and city manager of Auburn, Maine.

Gwyn Beyer (gwyn.a.beyer@medaille.edu) has worked in the College Relations office since 2004. She provides administrative support to Paula R. Valente, vice president for college relations, and the Medaille College board of trustees. She also manages office operations, and helps coordinate alumni and donor events.

Beyer is a member of IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) and AEAP (Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals). She is very active in the Cheektowaga Historical Association as the Association’s treasurer and chair of the membership committee.

Joe Flateau (jef26@medaille.edu) joined Medaille's Information Technology Office in 2007. He maintains major areas of Medaille's web presence, and develops web applications and tools for internal and external audiences. He also provides support for photography, graphic design projects and publications.

Sara Mobilia Fluskey (sbf29@medaille.edu) has worked in the College Relations Office since January 2007. She focuses on major gifts, planned giving, and donor relations. Sara’s role is to build new and to strengthen existing relationships that will grow Medaille’s endowment. She has over ten years of experience working in event planning and fundraising. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in women’s studies from SUNY Oswego.

Summer Gemmati Handzlik (summer.l.handzlik@medaille.edu) graduated from Medaille in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in communications. She joined the College Relations Office in 2009, having previously worked in the marketing department at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP. She assists with alumni relations, communications, and donor relations projects.

While at Medaille, she served as editor-in-chief of the Perspective student newspaper and INcite magazine, and earned a first-place award in feature writing by the New York Press Association.

Kara Kane (kara.m.kane@medaille.edu) joined Medaille's staff in 2005, and manages the College's communications efforts across print, web, and broadcast outlets. She supports admissions and development efforts, and leads the college's public and media relations and social media outreach.

Kane earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Le Moyne College and a master's in communication from the University at Buffalo, focusing on technology and mass media. She has served on panel sessions for PRSA and the Association of Fundraising Professionals WNY on the topic of social media.

Carla Kestner (carla.f.kestner@medaille.edu) manages a broad array of publications from concept to completion, while maintaining the College's graphic and branding standards. She is responsible for the design and production of College materials, including marketing materials, signage, and publications including AlumNews and the Medaille magazine.

Jennifer Small (Jennifer.L.Small@medaille.edu) joined Medaille's staff in August 2010. In her role, she oversees the design, planning, and implementation of various fundraising, friend raising, alumni and other events for the college. She brings more than ten years of alumni, fundraising, and event planning experience to this position. Prior to this position, she served as the Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs at Buffalo State College, an institution from which she received her bachelor's and master's degrees. Jennifer is also actively involved with special events planning and fundraising within the not-for-profit community, including the Buffalo Chase Corporate Challenge, Buffalo Marathon, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Sisters Hospital Foundation, WNY Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and YMCA Buffalo Niagara.

Vicki Ward (vicki.l.ward@medaille.edu) has worked for Medaille's College Relations Office since 2004. As Director of Operations and Prospect Research, she maintains and manages Medaille's information on individuals and donations. She supports Medaille's projects for direct mail, fundraising, and communications. In addition she works and volunteers part-time for the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. Ward has ten years of experience in database management and is currently pursuing a degree through Medaille's Accelerated Learning Program in Amherst.