Senior Leadership Team

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.

Timothy Balkin

tim balkin canisius college

Timothy P. Balkin, CPA, is vice president for Business and Finance. Balkin is responsible for all financial and administrative functions of the college, including finance, audit, facilities, human resources, and business services. He works closely with President Stoute to formulate the institution’s overall fiscal strategies and serves as liaison to several Board of Trustees committees. Balkin joined Canisius University in 2021 with a BS in Accounting from Canisius and an MBA from the University at Buffalo, and more than 28 years of experience serving in leadership positions at Moog until his retirement in 2019. Balkin has extensive experience in all areas of corporate finance, investment management, mergers, and acquisitions. He also served on the Canisius University Board of Regents since 2014.


Dianna Civello

Dianna Civello, MA 

Serves as the interim vice president for Advancement.

Civello 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. Civello 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.


Joe Delap, PhD 

Joe Delap canisius

Serves as the interim vice president for Academic Affairs.

Prior to coming to Canisius, Joe was most recently vice president for corporate and community relations at Athens State University, where he previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs. His career path has encompassed wide-ranging leadership roles at a small, private liberal arts college, and regional comprehensive and state flagship universities with enrollment from 800 to 40,000 students.  Known for his ability to foster collaboration both internally and externally, Joe has demonstrated success in new program promotion, workforce development and student success. He has led learning communities in creating transformational educational experiences, provided vision, planning, and sound organizational skills to protect, nurture, and expand intellectually rigorous academic cores and majors. Joe has been active in national educational initiatives in connection with the Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO). He has been honored as a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Fellow, Fulbright International Education Administrator, Fulbright Senior Scholar, and EducationUSA Delegate to Algeria and Tunisia on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.


Sandra Estanek

Sandy Estanek

Sandra M. Estanek, PhD, serves as the interim vice president for mission integration.

The vice president is responsible for developing mission formation programs for the Canisius community, including trustees, faculty and staff. The vice president leads the Office of Mission and Ministry, which includes campus ministry, the university chaplain and the New Buffalo Institute.

Estanek holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Dominican University, a master’s degree from Ohio University and a doctorate in higher education leadership from the Union Institute and University.  Her research specialty is Catholic higher education, and she is the author of several books and articles.

Estanek came to Canisius in 2002 as a member of the faculty and director of the master’s program in higher education and student affairs administration after a 23-year career as a university administrator. She retired from the full-time faculty in 2018, and holds the rank of professor emerita.


Harold Fields 

harold fields canisius

Harold O. Fields, EdD, joined Canisius University in 2022 as the vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.  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.

Cecelia gotham canisius

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, oversees implementation of the communications strategy, and participates on critical internal committees, representing the president. The chief of staff also serves as secretary to the college’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 ianni canisius

Danielle D. Ianni, PhD, is 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.


Bill Maher

bill maher canisius

Bill Maher is vice president and director of Athletics & Recreation at Canisius University, where he 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.


Linda M. Walleshauser

Linda Walleshauser Canisius

Linda M. Walleshauser, SPHR, SHRM-CP, is the associate vice president for human resources and compliance. Walleshauser has extensive experience in human resources. Prior to Canisius, she served as the human resources manager and member of the senior leadership team at Kaleida Health, Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, and at Goodyear Dunlop Tires of North America LTD.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human resources from Syracuse University and has earned several professional certifications in human resources. As the leader of human resources and compliance functions, Linda serves as a key advisor and member of Canisius’ senior administration.