Tanya Staples is the Senior Director of the Strong Community School initiative for Say Yes Buffalo, a partnership with Buffalo Public Schools to strengthen the Western New York economy by investing in the education of Buffalo’s future workforce. In her role, Tanya oversees strategies to elevate academic achievement of students in the City of Buffalo. 

Prior to joining the Say Yes Buffalo team, Tanya was the former Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Western New York, Buffalo’s oldest and largest organization for women, whose mission is the empowerment of women and girls and elimination of racism. In 2006 she was appointed by Mayor Byron W. Brown to serve as the Commissioner of Community Services and Recreational Programming for the City of Buffalo. Upon leaving city government, Tanya joined M & T Bank/Westminster Foundation as Director of Community Affairs for Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. 

Tanya currently serves as a board member, advisory member, and committee member for numerous organizations, including but not limited to; The Communities of Giving Legacy Initiative, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Omega Chapter, Erie County Chapter of The Links, Inc., First Shiloh Youth Foundation Inc., the Women’s Group and Say Yes “Forever” Endowment Campaign.

Tanya is the founder and president of Perrin Associates, providing consulting services in the areas of capacity building, organizational development, executive search, and talent management.

Tanya received her B.S. from Syracuse University and her M.S. Ed. from Canisius College. She is also a graduate of the Health Foundation for Central and Western New York’s Health Leadership Fellows program, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education, Adaptive Leadership Program, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Results Based Leadership Facilitation program. Tanya is also an alumnus of Leadership Buffalo. She received the National Federation of Just Communities of WNY, Inc. – Family Award, Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division’s – Making a Difference in the Community Award, 2020 Black Achievers Award – Mayor’s Youth Award.

Tanya resides in the city of Buffalo with family and is a member of First Shiloh Baptist Church where her husband is Senior Pastor.