
RISE UP stands for “Resources, Inclusion, Support, Educate and Unite People”.
In 2019, RISE UP was formed as an evolution of the Women in Construction group which was started in 2015 by leaders in the construction industry who recognized that there was an interest and an energy from women who felt that they were uniquely positioned to have a positive impact on the industry.
Now as RISE UP, the group is designed to empower and stand with diversity in the construction industry. This means supporting women, minority and veteran owned subcontractors, prime contractors and being an instrumental force in supporting workforce development within the local construction industry.
RISE UP is committed to assisting Construction Exchange members and visitors who are already certified or looking to be a certified as a WBE, MBE, and/or SDVOB.
Please message Construction Exchange Membership Director, Adam Guglielmi at aguglielmi@conexbuff.com and you will be directed to one of our advisory partners to assist you with maintaining or obtaining your certification.
To request more information on or to join RISE UP, please message Danielle Bickel at dbickel@upstaterebar.com.
RISE UP’s Annual Q1 Curling Party at Buffalo Riverworks brings over 200 people to mix, mingle and learn more making a difference in the Western NY construction industry.

Steering Committee Members
Danielle Bickel (Chair), Upstate Rebar
Michelle Barber (Co-chair), United Materials
Kelly Maloney (Chair of Workforce Development Committee), Gilbane
Mary Szustak (Co-chair MWBE Committee), NW Contracting
Arnie Collier (Co-chair MWBE Committee), Iroquois Bar
Karen Antonelli (Immediate Past Chair), Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner
Mike Anderson, Abstract Architecture
Caryn Ciotti, Will Scot
Grace Dettelis, Ideal Concrete
Gail Ettaro, Arc Building Partners
Elizabeth Kraengel, Duke, Holzman, Photiadis & Gresens, LLP
Madonna Hostuttler, Northern Dreams Construction
Minesh Patel, Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Development Consortium
Cathy Pera, Bison Scaffold & Mason’s Supply
Luis Rodriguez, Rodriguez Construction
Tom Saia, Iroquois Bar Corp
Nicole Savage, NW Contracting
Committee Advisors
Janique Curry, ECMC, MWBE Compliance Office
Geraldine Ford, Empire State Development
Rebecca Gandour, City of Buffalo, Office of Strategic Planning
Susan A. McCartney, PhD, MBA, SUNY Buffalo State Small Business Development Center
Jillian Johnson, Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY
Stephanie Pennington, LeChase Construction
Dolly Randle, CASNY
Sara Veschio, Women’s Business Center at Canisius College