Messages from Our President & President-Elect
Wisdom from Those Leading the Way
Our chapter presidents leave a lasting mark on NAWBO Buffalo Niagara. This page honors their leadership, vision, and commitment through personal messages that reflect on their time at the helm. Their insights serve as a bridge between our legacy and our future, offering inspiration, gratitude, and guidance for the leaders of tomorrow.
Chapter President
Leaving It Better
At NAWBO Buffalo Niagara, we believe leadership is about more than building successful
businesses. It’s about leaving things better than we found them.
Whether we’re supporting a fellow member, mentoring the next generation of women leaders,
strengthening our businesses, or serving our community, we each have the opportunity to make a
lasting impact. Sometimes that impact comes through a major initiative. More often, it comes
through a conversation, a connection, a shared resource, or a simple act of encouragement.
This year, our chapter programming reflects that philosophy.
Through monthly meetings, Lunch & Learns, networking opportunities, NextGen initiatives,
collaborative partnerships, and signature events, we’ll explore what it means to build businesses
that are not only successful, but sustainable. Together, we’ll learn from experts and one another
as we strengthen our leadership, refine our strategies, improve operations, enhance financial
understanding, and embrace new opportunities for growth.
But the true value of NAWBO has never been found solely in a speaker, a presentation, or a
program.
It is found in the women who show up for one another.
It is found in the member who makes an introduction, shares a hard-earned lesson, celebrates
another woman’s success, or offers support during a difficult season. It is found in the collective
belief that when one woman succeeds, we all move forward.
Our hope is that every member leaves each interaction with NAWBO a little better than when
she arrived. Leaving with ideas, new connections, renewed confidence, or fresh perspectives.
And together, as a chapter, we will continue to leave our businesses, our community, and our
organization stronger than we found them.
Thank you for being part of NAWBO Buffalo Niagara. We look forward to learning, growing,
and leaving it better, together!
With gratitude & love,
Chapter President-Elect
Heather Jackson-Fassari is the owner of Interlink CFO, where she partners with
growing businesses to strengthen financial systems, improve operational processes,
and use financial data to support strategic decision-making. She holds an MBA in
Corporate Finance from Canisius University and certifications in Management
Accounting and QuickBooks Online.
Heather’s experience includes leading finance and operations initiatives, overseeing
complex financial reporting, and supporting strategic growth and acquisition efforts. She
is known for her approachable leadership style and ability to make financial information
understandable and actionable for business owners and leadership teams.
In addition to her professional work, Heather is actively involved in the Western New
York business community. She serves as a SCORE Mentor, UB Center for
Entrepreneurial Leadership Reactor and Mentor, Pursuit Lending Business Consultant,
and board member for the Institute of Management Accountants. She is also a member
of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, the Construction Exchange, and Niagara
Business Associates.
Heather has been an active leader within NAWBO Buffalo Niagara, serving on the Board
Member and Treasurer for two years, and as NextGen Committee Chair for the past
three years.