The senior leadership team at Canisius University includes President Steve K. Stoute, eight key administrators who oversee the major operational areas of the institution, and the president’s chief of staff.
Robert Baumet
Bob Baumet serves as vice president for Finance & Administration.
Prior to Canisius, Bob was vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Keuka College overseeing the offices of Finance and Accounting, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Human Resources and Facilities. He previously held several leadership positions at the State University at Buffalo, where he served as Director of Business Services, Accounting Director, and Director of Foundation Accounting. He holds a master’s degree in accountancy from the State University of New York at Utica (SUNY Polytechnic), and earned a master’s degree in education instruction, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and a bachelor’s degree in performing arts (music) from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Dianna Civello, MA
Dianna Civello serves as the vice president for Advancement.
Dianna has dedicated her career to education, transitioning from Spanish teacher to director of development at the Buffalo Seminary, where she led a successful Sesquicentennial Campaign. She joined Canisius University in 2003, raising significant funds during the Legacy of Leadership Campaign as associate vice president, and is the co-founder of both the Medical Advisory Board and the Women’s Leadership Council. She is responsible for leading our dedicated team of advancement professionals who are committed to fostering meaningful engagement with alumni and friends. By inspiring philanthropic partnerships, the advancement team helps our donors enhance the student experience at Canisius and support the outstanding work of our faculty, while securing vital resources for a sustainable future. She holds a bachelor’s in education from Buffalo State University and a master of arts degree from Middlebury College. She has received the George M. Martin Award for Excellence in Advancement, was an Athena Award Finalist, and is a proud inductee of the DiGamma Honor Society.
Harold Fields
Harold O. Fields, EdD, serves as the vice president for Student Affairs.
Fields was most recently director of Residence Life at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he has served in various roles since 2008. As the leader of the Division of Student Affairs, Fields will be responsible for divisional strategic planning and assessment efforts and for overall operations in areas of: the ALANA Student Center; Campus Ministry; the Counseling Center; international student programs; new student orientation; public safety; the Office of Student Life (residence life, judicial affairs, student engagement and clubs, leadership development, event services, intermural sports, and athletic facilities operations), Title IX coordinator and the Student Health Center. The vice president for student affairs also is jointly responsible (with the vice president for academic affairs) for the overall operations of the Griff Center for Student Success (career services, tutoring services, veterans’ services, accessibility support services, parent programs) and the Office of Study Abroad and International Partnerships. Fields holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a doctor of education degree in higher education administration from the University of Rochester.
Cecelia Gotham
Cecelia Gotham ’13, MS ’15 serves as chief of staff to the President.
As chief of staff, Gotham serves as an advisor to the president and fulfills a key administrative role in advancing institutional initiatives and projects, including implementation of the university's strategic plan. A member of the president’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the chief of staff assists in facilitating meetings of the SLT and participates on critical internal committees, representing the president. The chief of staff also serves as secretary to the university’s Board of Trustees and the school corporation.
Gotham began her career at Canisius as assistant director of Stewardship and Events in 2014. She then served as associate director of regional volunteers and programs at the University of Rochester, assistant director of donor relations at Fordham University, and director of Alumni Engagement at Canisius University. Gotham holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in communication and leadership, both from Canisius.
Danielle Ianni
Danielle D. Ianni, PhD, serves as vice president of enrollment management.
She joined Canisius in 2020 and is responsible for leading the implementation of the college’s comprehensive enrollment management plan and provides strategic leadership for undergraduate and graduate recruitment, marketing, retention and student financial aid. She previously worked at the State University of New York at Buffalo where she served as director of enrollment operations. Ianni earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in higher education administration, both from the University of Rochester’s Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education.
Spencer Liechty
Spencer Liechty serves as assistant vice president for Mission Integration.
Spencer is responsible for leading the Canisius University community in developing and implementing its Ignatian vision and advancing its mission as a Catholic, Jesuit, urban university. Spencer previously served as the director of Campus Ministry at Canisius. Prior to arriving at Canisius, he worked in Campus Ministry at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Spencer has an extensive history of community engagement including years spent in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and AmeriCorps. He earned both his degrees from Xavier University: a master's in Theology from the Institute for Spirituality and Social Justice and a bachelor's in Political Science.
Bill Maher
Bill Maher '89, serves as vice president and director of Athletics & Recreation.
Bill is responsible for the leadership of the College’s 20 NCAA Division I programs. He has over 30 years of experience in higher education and intercollegiate athletics including 19 years in the role of director of athletics. Prior to his appointment at Canisius in 2005, Maher spent seven years in administrative roles at the University at Buffalo, including two years as the interim director of athletics. An alumnus and former student-athlete at Canisius, Maher also holds a master’s degree from East Stroudsburg University. He has extensive committee service experience at both the NCAA and conference level and currently serves as chair of the Buffalo Sports Commission.
Bridget Niland
Bridget Niland, PhD, JD, serves as vice president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Niland has over 25 years of experience in higher education, philanthropy, sports law, and sport/tourism event management. As a tenured professor and former college athletics director, she has taught, researched, and practiced hospitality, sport, and tourism. She began her professional career as a confidential law clerk within the federal court system and attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., followed by management positions within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
As a faculty member at Daemen University, Dr. Niland developed the business law and sport management programs, served on various faculty boards, and chaired the educational policy committee. As the school’s athletics director, she was part of NCAA governance work and chair of the Buffalo Sports Commission. Most recently, Dr. Niland was the Dean of Niagara University’s College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management, working on industry partnerships and enrollment growth. Niland has also worked with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation to create Project Play WNY, which ensures all kids have access to quality youth sports experiences.
Dr. Niland currently serves on the boards of the Community Action Organization and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. She is a past board member of the Miracle League of WNY, Independent Health YMCA, WNY Girls in Sports, Visit Buffalo Niagara Commission, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, and Destination Niagara USA.