M&T Bank CIO Mike Wisler and Kaleida Health CIO Cletis Earle were elected to the 43North Board on April 30
More than ever, Buffalo’s established businesses are embracing startups and innovation
BUFFALO, NY – May 6, 2019 – Two prominent leaders of Buffalo’s tech community – M&T Bank Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mike Wisler and Kaleida Health Chief Information Officer Cletis Earle – joined 43North’s board of directors on April 30.
Like many of 43North’s winners, Wisler and Earle each moved to Buffalo in recent years, and they now lead the technology and innovation arms of two of Buffalo’s largest employers. Their additions to 43North’s board reflect how Buffalo’s established businesses are engaging more than ever with 43North, its portfolio companies, and Western New York’s startup ecosystem.
Since 43North’s inception, M&T Bank has been a key partner for the organization, dedicating countless volunteer and mentor hours; providing sponsorship; partnering on the Ignite Buffalo initiative; and supporting the Techstars Buffalo Startup Ecosystem Development Program. In addition, Wisler has already served as a mentor to fintech companies in 43North’s portfolio.
Kaleida Health has also been a long-time supporter of 43North and its portfolio companies. For a pair of examples, they are a customer of CleanSlate UV, which makes technology that sanitizes cell phones and other electronics in hospitals, and Oishei Children’s Hospital recently announced a new partnership with Magnusmode to help children and people with autism better navigate experiences at the hospital through use of the Magnusmode app.
“Mike Wisler and Cletis Earle are the embodiment of how Western New York’s established businesses are embracing innovation and entrepreneurship like never before. They are forward-thinking, creative and passionate about taking Buffalo’s startup ecosystem to the next level and they bring a wealth of experience and valuable perspective to 43North’s board. On behalf of my fellow directors, I’m very excited to welcome them,” said 43North Board Chair Eric Reich.
Mike Wisler is Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of M&T Bank, where he oversees all aspects of technology for the bank, from identifying emerging technology trends and their application in the business to day-to-day delivery of all the technology supporting the 17,000+ employees; 800 branches and offices; and over 3 million M&T customers and clients in the U.S. and Europe.
Wisler has nearly two decades of experience in the financial and technology industries. Prior to joining M&T in April 2018, he held the positions of CTO, North American Credit Cards and CIO of Europe at Capital One. In 2014, Mike was recognized by Computerworld Magazine as one of the “Premier 100 Information Technology Leaders”.
An advocate for women in the workplace and gender equality, Wisler has served on the Gender Partnership Board of the Anita Borg Institute, a global leader working to connect, inspire and guide women in computing. He also co-presented at the 2016 Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing and contributed to TechCrunch in December 2016 by authoring “How Male Allies Can Support Women in Technology.”
Wisler has been an active participant and board member of many charitable organizations. Their missions have ranged from food insecurity, to financial literacy, to STEM education for children and underserved adults, and he continues these efforts in the Western New York area. He joined ITBuffalo.org and is actively engaged with other CIOs in the Western New York area to advance the region as a magnet for great talent.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Hazardous Materials Management from the University of Findlay and a Master of Science in Management of Information Technology from the University of Virginia.
Cletis Earle is Chief Information Officer of Kaleida Health, where he leads the information technology (IT) team, overseeing strategic and tactical planning, plus development and coordination of Kaleida Health and ECMC’s IT platforms. In this role, he has significantly changed not only the IT landscape of Kaleida Health, but also the way healthcare providers and patients use IT across the region and beyond. Earle was recruited to Kaleida Health from St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh/Cornwall, NY, where he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer. He began his IT career as a Support Manager at Brooklyn Queens Health Care Inc. in Brooklyn, NY, eventually taking on roles as Director of Technology and Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Privacy Officer within the organization.
Earle is also a member of the board of directors for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, and regularly participates in policy and advocacy in Washington D.C., as well as speaking engagements on Healthcare IT and diversity. Earle holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle and a master’s degree in Information Systems from Strayer University.
The additions of Wisler and Earle bring the 43North board to nine members. They join the following directors:
Pete Grum
Tyra Johnson
Jordy Levy, Chair Emeritus
Bill Maggio, Immediate Past Board Chair
Norma Nowak, Treasurer
Christina Orsi
Eric Reich, Chair
About 43North
43North is the startup competition that invests $5 million annually to attract and cultivate high-growth startups in Buffalo. 43North portfolio companies also receive free incubator space in Buffalo for one year, guidance from mentors in related fields, and access to other business incentive programs such as START-UP NY. 43North operates through the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Empire State Development and several other sponsors. For more information about 43North, visit www.43north.org.
