Tripathi named Executive of the Year by sales and marketing group

President Satish K. Tripathi has been named the 2023 Executive of the Year by the Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives (BNSME) in recognition of his stewardship of UB as “an economic powerhouse in Western New York” and his leadership role in numerous other regional economic activities.

Tripathi received the award at the group’s Annual Executive of the Year & Elite Sales & Marketing Awards Gala held April 24 at The Powerhouse.

Founded in 1942, BNSME provides a forum for business owners, executives and decision-makers to network and share ideas, best practices and experiences. Its Executive of the Year Award recognizes a prominent industry leader from Western New York whose efforts have produced economic rewards for their organization and for the community, as well as advanced the sales and marketing profession.

“With the impact we all see from its expert faculty, its graduates, research dollars and infrastructure commitments, clearly Western New York has benefited greatly from the economic engine that is the University at Buffalo — an engine that is clearly growing because of Dr. Tripathi’s leadership and vision,” the organization said in naming UB’s president as its Executive of the Year.

In accepting the award, Tripathi noted that the many “economic and altruistic gains that the Executive of the Year award recognizes” resonates with him “because it speaks directly to UB’s mission.”

“We are fueled by a commitment to make a difference,” he said, “and we measure the difference in the prosperity, vitality and well-being of the communities we serve.”

He noted in particular UB’s “entrepreneurial ecosystem” and the growing number of entrepreneurship programs offered to both UB faculty and members of the Western New York community to help them convert their ideas and innovations into commercial ventures. He also cited the new Cultivator Program, which invests up to $100,000 in early-stage companies founded by faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members.

“As members of our university community harness their research and discoveries to address society’s most pressing problems, we have been intentional in supporting them every step of the way,” Tripathi said.

The university’s work, he added, is grounded in the concept of equity, a point underscored by UB’s recent designation as a flagship university by Gov. Kathy Hochul. He pointed out that one definition of the modern flagship university describes it as being “grounded in its historical purpose, but remarkably different in its devotion to access and equity.”

“If we fail to promote fair and just opportunities for all to thrive, we are falling woefully short of our civic duty,” he said.

Tripathi listed several examples of the university partnering with the community to reduce disparities and improve quality of life, including the work of the Community Health Equity Research Institute, the Teacher Residency Program and the national AI Institute for Exceptional Education.

“As you can imagine, this kind of work can transform lives,” he told audience members. “This is what motivates us as a scholarly community.”