Board of Directors
Dina Ferraraccio
President
Dina Ferraraccio is the Director of School Culture for the Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Union Free School. Before serving in this role, she was the assistant principal at Kenmore West High School in the district. Dina holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree from the University of Rochester in Cell and Developmental Biology. She also holds a Master's of Science Education from the University of Rochester and a Master's in Educational Administration from University at Buffalo. Currently, this is Dina's 23rd year in the field of education. Before becoming an administrator, she taught Biology, Chemistry, and Forensics for 14 years.
She is honored to be involved in an organization that provides a trauma informed approach to educating youth and their families on the dangers of substance use and addiction. Dina looks forward to collaborating with fellow board members and the staff at KED on many different projects in the future!
Matthew Burke
Vice President
Matthew "Matty" Burke joined the Kids Escaping Drugs Board of Directors in 2017 and is active on the Development Committee. Mr. Burke has been a generous benefactor and champion of KED for over 25 years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Bishop Timon High School for 20 years. During his tenure with Bishop Timon High School he was the recipient of the Hillery Foundation Award and the Paul Lempko Alumni Appreciation Award.
A prominent business owner in the Southtowns, Mr. Burke owns Burkey's Sportswear as well as several other local businesses around Buffalo. He is very active in the community from organizing fundraisers to volunteering with a softball league for young people in recovery. Mr. Burke is an avid sports fan and has a passion for working with youth and adults along their journey of recovery.
Karen Antonelli
Treasurer
Karen Antonelli is a partner with CTBK LLP, a public accounting firm located in Amherst, New York. She graduated from Canisius University with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. Karen has over 30 years of experience specializing in providing auditing, tax, accounting, and consulting services to a variety of companies, including not-for-profit organizations. She maintains certification as a CPA and a CCIFP.
Karen currently sits on the Board for the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of CFMA and the Construction Exchange. She is also a member of the Council of Accountancy at Canisius University. Karen was named by Buffalo Business First as one of 25 ‘Women of Influence’ in 2020 and one of the ‘Power 200 Women’ in 2024. Karen previously sat on the KED Board from 2010 through 2020 and held a Board position with Renaissance Additions Services from 2020 through 2022. Her passion for organizations that service adolescence and youth brought her back to the KED Board in June of 2025.
Karen resides in Lakeview, New York, with her husband Vincent and two sons, Jackson and Nicholas.
Michael Baumann
Board Member
Michael Baumann retired as the Superintendent of the Newfane Central School District in 2023 after 35 years in public education. In his career, he served as a school counselor for the West Seneca Schools, as high school principal at Maryvale and Frontier High Schools and Assistant Superintendent in the Sweet Home Schools before finishing his career in Newfane.
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Currently he serves as Chief Operating Officer at his alma mater, Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, New York and as the Human Resources Manager for the Department of Education of the Diocese of Buffalo.
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Mike earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Canisius University, where he also earned Master's degrees in School Counseling as well as Education Administration and Supervision.
Mark Rizzo
Board Member
Mark joined Wells Fargo in 2019 following over 20 years with Buffalo headquartered M&T Bank Corp. While at M&T, Mark served in numerous roles in treasury, credit, and commercial banking. Mark was responsible for over 100 middle market, mid-corporate, and large-corporate banking relationships representing financing commitments of over $2 billion. During his tenure in commercial banking at M&T, Mark was named to the commercial bank’s president’s council for outstanding sales results and customer service skills.
Mark is very active in the Western New York Community, having served on several not-for-profit boards and advisory councils over the past 25 years. He is past president and a current board member for Kids Escaping Drugs, an Upstate New York non-profit organization dedicated to empowering adolescents to live a life free from addiction. Mark also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council of his alma mater, the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Management. In 2019, Mark was honored by the School of Management for his Outstanding Service and Commitment to the University. Mark also serves on the Finance Committee of Park Country Club where he has been a member for over a decade.
Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration (concentrations in accounting and finance) and an MBA from the University at Buffalo. Mark is also a 2018 graduate of the Wharton School of Business Leadership Development Program at The University of Pennsylvania. In his spare time, Mark is an avid golfer and enjoys following his kid’s athletic interests. Mark lives in the Kenmore area with his wife of 25-years (Maria) and their three boys, Luke (20), Andrew (18), and Charles (14).
Tom Burgio
Board Member
Tom Burgio is the Senior Account Executive at UPS. He began his career at UPS in 1996, and has held a few positions including Operations Supervisor, Safety Supervisor, and Air Sort Supervisor. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Finance from The State University College at Buffalo. He also holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership. Tom joined the Kids Escaping Drugs Board of Directors in 2015 after losing a sister to an overdose in 1999.
Krista Ulrich
Board Member
Krista Ulrich is retired from public education after 34 years in the Clarence School District. She began her position on the board at Kids Escaping Drugs in November 2017.
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While teaching, Krista held the role of advisor for the Face2Face Club at Clarence High School. She also served as a co-developer of the Youth Court in Clarence. She is currently the advisor for the Western Area Youth of the United Church of Christ, the moderator for the Western New York Area Churches in Covenant and the chaplain at the Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education from SUNY at Buffalo, and is an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ.
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Krista is thankful for the opportunity to serve on the board at KED and is passionate about helping children achieve their potential.
Kevin Biddle
Board Member
Kevin Biddle is President of Mader Construction, a wall and ceiling contractor based in Elma, NY.
Kevin is a past president of the Board of Directors of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry as well as past president of the Kidney Fdtn of WNY, Cystic Fibrosis Fdtn of WNY, American Subcontractors Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Fdtn of WNY. Kevin is currently serving on the board of Kids Escaping Drugs, Faith United Church of Christ, The Construction Exchange, and The Construction Industry Employers Association.
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Kevin graduated from Orchard Park High School and attended Georgia Southern University. He resides in Orchard Park with his wife, Barbara. They have two children, Kirsten and Jeffrey.
He enjoys golfing and traveling and of course is an avid Bills and Sabres fan.
Jessica Hutchings
Board Member
Jessica spent the first decade of her career working as the Face2Face Program Director after graduating with her Masters degree from the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. During this time, Jessica especially enjoyed getting to know the alumni and patients on the Campus and developing relationships with professionals in education. In 2019, Jessica accepted a position in the Grand Island School District as a School Social Worker. In this role, she provides counseling for middle school students and coordinates the district's Family Support Services program.
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Jessica is so grateful to return to her KED roots as a board member. She remains passionate about advocating for the organization and is excited to share her insight as a mental health professional working in education.
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Jessica enjoys spending time traveling and camping with her husband and two sons. She also enjoys showing her hometown pride by rooting for the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and UB Bulls.
Sam Gugino
Board Member
Sam Pierino has a BS in Information Systems Audit & Control from Bentley University and an MBA in Professional Accounting from Niagara University. She worked in public accounting for 2 years and has been an IT Auditor at National Fuel since June 2022.
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Her hobbies include running, reading, going to the Transit Drive In & traveling. She is a certified Wine Connoisseur, Former Walt Disney World Cast Member, & Unofficial Disney Travel Expert. Some of her personal goals include:
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Running the Disney Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half Marathon & Marathon in one weekend!!)
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Learning to speak Italian
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Being on the Buffalo Business First 40 under 40 list
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She has been a volunteer at KED since 2019 and has been involved in various events including the Televent, Power of the Purse, face2face summits, etc. but her family has been involved with KED for as long as she can remember.
Mike Todaro
Board Member
Mike is currently an account executive at UPS. He went from being a UPS driver into Business Development, one of few who has been able to accomplish this. He has worked as a service provider for UPS and has also worked various jobs at construction companies.
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Mike is a Grand Island Senior High School graduate and attended NCCC for Business Management. Received a challenge coin from UPS CEO Carol Tome’ He has been working with KED for almost a year, first serving on the development committee. He has a strong passion for ending the drug epidemic in WNY and supporting people and families to live a life free of addiction.
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Mike is heavily involved with the community, volunteering at the Buffalo City Mission and Horizons and participates in the Grand Island School District PTA. He's also involved in the Women’s Business Resource Group (WBRG), Business Resource Group for Parents and Caregivers (BRG) and is a congressional Outreach Ambassador all through UPS.
In his spare time, he likes fishing, the Buffalo Bills, and helping as many people and families as I can. He's a proud parent of two boys (age 9 and 11) who love playing sports, especially football!
Alissa Upson
Board Member
Alissa Upson is a Risk Management Executive specializing in Property & Casualty insurance at Promark Partners, where she provides holistic risk solutions to a diverse client base ranging from small family-owned businesses to large multi-state organizations. With over 15 years of experience in the insurance and benefits industry, including previous roles at BlueCross BlueShield and Independent Health. Alissa is known for her client-first philosophy and cross-industry expertise.
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Alissa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Niagara University and brings a passion for advocacy, community wellness, and service to her role. She joined the Kids Escaping Drugs (KED) Board in 2025 in honor of her commitment to supporting youth mental health and addiction prevention in the Buffalo area.
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A Buffalo native and proud mom, Alissa is also active in local charitable events, including the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. In her spare time, she enjoys interior design projects, cheering on the Buffalo Bills, and time spent with her family.
Brian Seifert
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.
Kevin Keane
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.