Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker ’82 
President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker was just eight years old when her family emigrated to the United States in 1967.  Still, she remembers the relief her family felt when their plane left the ground in Cuba.  

“When we came to Buffalo as Cuban exiles, we were provided for by the largess of this community and this country, and for that I hold a great debt of gratitude,” says Dedecker.  “People and organizations that didn’t even know us opened a lot of doors for us and I feel very passionate about doing the same for others.”

Dedecker’s commitment to give back is reflected in her life’s work.  She has volunteered for educational, cultural, women’s and Hispanic organizations.  But perhaps her most recognized efforts have been with the Junior League of Buffalo, which promotes volunteerism, develops the potential of women and trains volunteers to improve communities.   

Dedecker’s leadership on the Junior League’s executive board and as president resulted in her subsequent election to the Junior League’s International Board and then president of the Association of Junior Leagues International. She was the first Hispanic woman elected to the position, and led 193,000 volunteers from 295 junior leagues in Canada, Great Britain, Mexico and the United States. 

Dedecker’s leadership was recognized in 2000, when the United Nations invited her to co-chair the U.S. National Committee International Year of the Volunteer celebration.  She joined UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at the podium, during opening ceremonies for the event.  A short time later, the White House invited Dedecker to serve as a member of the [inaugural] President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.  She worked as a national spokesperson for community service alongside former U.S. Senator Bob Dole and astronaut John Glenn. 

Throughout her national volunteer efforts, Dedecker remained committed to Western New York.  As president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Dedecker currently works to enhance the region’s environmental resources and strengthen the area as a center for arts and culture.  Under Dedecker’s leadership, the organization has also implemented initiatives to increase economic self-sufficiency for low income individuals and families, and helped reduce racial and social inequalities.  

Dedecker holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Canisius and a master’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Of her Canisius experience, she recalls the nurturing environment that provided her with a lifetime of learning and leadership potential, and underscored the profound impact service work can have on individuals and communities.

“We don’t have one pair of hands or one good thought to waste on behalf of the future of Western New York,” Dedecker says.  “When we work diligently to connect people, ideas and resources, we change lives for the better.”