Roswell Park Appoints Lesley Diaz as Director of Organizational Development

BUFFALO, N.Y. — As part of its work to enhance career opportunities and pathways to advancement for its workforce, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is pleased to announce the creation of the Organizational Development Department, headed by a leader who is new to Roswell Park: Lesley Diaz, MAOL.

Diaz brings more than 30 years of experience to the cancer center, and had worked with Roswell Park previously as a consultant. Her position is funded in part by a grant from KeyBank, in partnership with First Niagara Bank Foundation, secured by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.

The members of this new department design, develop, oversee and evaluate programs and development initiatives for Roswell Park employees, management, executives and emerging leaders with a focus on building a responsive, 21st-century approach to learning and development. Additionally, Diaz will work to support equity and inclusion within the workforce and to provide mentorship opportunities to all staff, especially people of color or others from underrepresented populations.

Diaz has already been working to seek input from key stakeholders to address short- and long-term goals.

“As part of our commitment to building a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and collaborative learning organization, we want to make sure our team members across every Roswell Park department and work unit have plentiful opportunities for advancement and good resources to help them envision and realize their own career goals,” says Errol Douglas, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Roswell Park. “Lesley and her team have incredible energy and ideas, and they’re already helping a workforce that’s exceptionally dedicated and high-performing to take advantage of additional supports and pathways to success.”

“Diversity, equity and inclusion have long been cornerstones of our culture at KeyBank and we are proud to support and celebrate Roswell Park’s dedication to these values,” said Elizabeth Gurney, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at KeyBank and Executive Director of the First Niagara Foundation. “This initiative at Roswell speaks to their commitment to innovation and excellence in medicine and in our community.”

Diaz earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College in Buffalo New York and holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology, having graduated with honors from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.