Donna DeCarolis named 2025 Industry Leader Award winner
The Partnership
September 24, 2025
Blog Categories
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is honored to recognize Donna DeCarolis as its 2025 Industry Leader Award winner. The recently retired president of National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation spent more than 40 years of service ascending through several different business areas within the company.
Donna has played an important role as a vocal advocate for customer affordability, energy reliability and the overall impact on New York’s ability to maintain its business competitiveness due to the state’s climate and decarbonization legislation. Her active presence in Albany identified real regional differences with policies that might work downstate but could have a harmful impact on upstate New Yorkers.
She has also been active in her support of the community, serving in leadership capacities on the boards of the Business Council of New York, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House Restoration Complex, Leadership Buffalo, Shea’s O’Connell Preservation Guild, the University at Buffalo’s School of Management, Buffalo Sabres Foundation, Niagara University and the African American Veteran’s Monument.
“We are proud to honor Donna with this year’s Industry Leader Award,” said BNP President & CEO Dottie Gallagher. “Throughout her time at National Fuel, Donna has been a tireless advocate for affordability, reliability and fairness in energy policy, ensuring that the voices of Western New Yorkers were heard in Albany. Her leadership, vision and deep commitment to our community have left a lasting mark on both the business landscape and the region as a whole.”
For playing such a vital role in the Buffalo Niagara region, she will be presented the award at our third annual Economic Development Summit on Oct. 9. The culmination event of the 2025 Industry Leaders Forum (ILF) schedule brings together member companies to strategize for the year ahead.
John Persons, CEO of Tops Friendly Markets parent company Northeast Grocery, was the inaugural winner of the Industry Leader Award. West Herr Auto Group President & CEO Scott Bieler received the award last year.
A look back at last year:
Related Posts
Staff Spotlight: Meet Jessica Dolly
We are pleased to welcome Jessica Dolly, our new Marketing Coordinator, as our latest Staff Spotlight.
Get to know Jessica in this brief Q and A!
Full speed ahead: Inside the BNP’s top priorities for 2025
As the regional chamber of commerce, we’re already known as the go-to resource for assisting growth, advocating for employers, and amplifying the voices of business leaders. This year, we’re accelerating on our mission to make Buffalo Niagara stronger and more connected than ever. Like a train running full speed ahead, we plan on driving forward last year’s momentum, forging new tracks this year, and working to help every member meet their goals.
The importance of voting: your voice, your future
Blog Back to Our Blog The importance of voting: your voice, your future Blog Categories As Election Day approaches, it’s crucial to remember the power of your vote. Whether you’re casting your ballot for candidates who reflect your values or weighing in on local proposals that impact your community, voting is one of the most…
3 key takeaways from the ILF Economic Development Summit
Blog Back to Our Blog Blog Categories September 30, 2024 3 key takeaways from the ILF Economic Development Summit The Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s 2024 Industry Leaders Forum series culminated Sept. 26 with its second annual ILF Economic Development Summit. More than 100 professionals across various sectors of the local business community gathered at The Barrell…