Board Bios

The Peace Center Coordinating Board is a fourteen-member board that oversees the Peace Center’s finances, taskforces, and advises the Peace Center’s staff when necessary. Composed of truly unique individuals, each member brings their experiences, skills, and relationships within the community to the table. The Peace Center couldn't run without them!

Jim Anderson, Board Chair
Jim is an Activist in many arenas (Education, Religious/Faithbased, Civil & Human Rights), and a progressive organizer working nationwide. In Buffalo he is known throughout the community for standing up for justice, coalition building, and establishing collective leadership. He brings a wealth of experience, demonstrative talent, and committment to the table. He is a member of New Hope Baptist Church, where he is Chairman of the Deacon Board, as well as collaborating with and serving on numerous boards and organizations.

Wayne Alt, Vice-Chair
One of the founders of the Peace Center, Wayne serves as a permanent member selected by Riverside Salem UCC, the church from which the Peace Center emerged. We have pictures at the PC of Wayne from way back, protesting and organizing. Wayne also chairs the Latin America Solidarity Committee (LASC). His institutional knowledge of the Peace Center is invaluable to the Board.

James Holstun, PhD, Secretary
Jim teaches world literature and Marxism at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he organized the UB Progressive Alliance. He is a co-chair of the Israel-Palestine Task Force of the WNY Peace Center, and a member of the Peace, Justice, and Antiwar (PJAW) Coalition of Western New York. This year alone, Jim has been instrumental is organizing responses to both Rove and McCain’s visits to Buffalo, recent demonstrations around Gaza and the speaking engagement of Rachel Corrie’s Parents in Buffalo. He has been active in the Peace Center for several years and working to link students and faculty with Peace and Justice.

Elea Mihou Fox, Ex-Oficio
As the Executive Director, Elea is a nonvoting member of the board. See the Staff Bios section for her bio.

Sharon Benz
Sharon is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement at Daemen College, one of the only centers in the country focusing on Urban sustainability. She was instrumental in the planning of the 2008 World On Your Plate Food Forum and serves on the board of the Massachusetts Avenue Project. She organizes annual environmental conferences, serves as a liaison and organizes other activities through Daemen. Sharon is also a mother, pursuing a Doctorate of Education.

Nanette Cosbey
Nan is a CPA and serves on the Finance Committe. She's the first person to call whenver we have a bookkeeping question. Her knowledge in this field has been extraordinarily helpful.

Jim Crampton
An organizer for SEIU 1199, the United Healthcare Workers Union, Jim brings his organizational experiences and relationships in an anti-war union to the table.

John Curr
John Curr is the Executive Director of the Western Regional Office of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the WNY affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Active in social justice causes for a number of years, he was one of the organizers behind the 2005 ’Peace Has No Borders’ Festival in support of conscientious objectors seeking refuge in Canada. He is a former member of the steering committee of the Erie County Green Party. He is also a member of Veterans for Peace, and is a disabled combat veteran of the First Gulf War, with more than 14 years service as a Sergeant in the active United States Army, National Guard and as a Staff-Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

John Lipsitz
John Lipsitz is an attorney in Buffalo, and his knowledge in all legal matters has been a great help to the board. He is also great at speeding up meetings.

Martin McGee
Marty is a is a film and television producer with over 20 years experience, specializing in documentaries. He has been a long time human rights activist with a special focus on Tibet and was instrumental in the Dalai Lama’s 2006 three-day Buffalo visit. Marty is also the main organizer for the Peace Center’s annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Memorial event.

Erin Robinson, PhD
Erin is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Canisius College, where she is working to establish a Peace Studies Program. As an activist, researcher and author she has worked on Environmental Sociology, Social Movements, Community, Research Methods, Medical Sociology, Social Problems, and Gender. Erin currently serves on the Committee of the Status of Women and is conducting research on the environmental impact for communities exposed to multiple harms. She is the recipient of numerous awards, the author of many articles, has presented at various conferences, while teaching several classes. Erin and her husband are the proud parents of two boys.

Reverend Phil Smith
A retired U.C.C, pastor, with ministerial standing also in the C.C./D.O.C., Rev. Phil Smith is currently living in Kenmore. He served as a pastor in inner-city Buffalo for 25 years and in churches from St. Petersburg, FL, to Wellsville and Eden. He has served as Moderator of the Western Assoc., Chairman of the Assoc. Social Action Comm., delegate to the NY Conference and to General Synod. Currently he is serving as Interim Assoc. Pastor of Salem U.C.C. in Tonawanda.

James Whitlock
A Vietnam war resister, Jim is also dedicated to humanitarian aid in Palestine, where he has visited to deliver medical supplies and train medical personnel. He is the Riverside Salem alternante for Wayne Alt, which was a great way of keeping him on the board after his three-year term expired.

Carlanda Wilson
Carlanda is a graphic designer and publisher of Black Resource Magazine. She is also the secretary for the Stop The Violence Coalition (STVC), Vice President of the PTO at Buffalo United Charter School and First Lady of United House of God, pastored by her husband Tyrone Wilson. Her knowledge of marketing and other avenues for funding has been indispensable to the Peace Center.