Senator Gallivan Honors Orchard Park Businesswoman

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C, Elma) is presenting Nancy Ware of Orchard Park with one of the New York State Senate’s highest honors, the “Women of Distinction” award.  Ware is being recognized for her outstanding work in the community as a business leader and member of numerous boards and organizations.  

“Nancy has had a profound impact on child care in Western New York,” Senator Gallivan said.  “Her vision to create a facility to provide both quality care and early childhood education was truly innovative and has helped nurture and guide thousands of children and families throughout the region.  In addition, she continues to share her business expertise and passion for the community through her involvement with various organizations.”

Nancy Ware is President of WPS Management Company and founder of EduKids, Inc., a privately owned group of child care centers. As President of EduKids from 1989 to 2020, Ms. Ware was responsible for strategic planning, facility management, and operations for the nationally accredited child care centers including the corporate on-site center at Rich Products World Headquarters in Buffalo.

Nancy grew up in South Buffalo and now lives in Orchard Park.  She is a graduate of Canisius College, where she earned her MBA.  In 1989, she was a HR director and needed to find childcare for her son.  She discovered many facilities offered care, but provided no education for children.  She combined her business skills with her friend’s education skills and EduKids was born.

EduKids was the largest woman-owned business in the region and maintained a staff of over 400 employees, serving more than 2,000 families in the Buffalo area.

Ware is also active in the community and serves on several boards and organizations.  She was the first woman to sit on the board of directors of Evans Bancorp Inc.  She serves on the Canisius College Board of Trustees, where she holds emeritus status, and is Vice Chair of Explore and More Children's Museum Board of Trustees. 

She is secretary on the Catholic Health Board of Directors, Board Member of the Buffalo Zoo and recently joined the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, which is committed to helping individuals, families and organizations make their charitable goals a reality.

On numerous occasions, Ms. Ware has been named to the Buffalo Business First annual list of powerful individuals in Western New York.

Each year, members of the New York State Senate nominate one individual from their district to be enshrined alongside the many historical women whose contributions have had a positive impact on our state.  Some of these trailblazing females include Susan B. Anthony, Lucille Ball, Harriet Tubman, and Emma Willard, among others, all with strong links to New York State.

Senator Gallivan presented Ware with the “Women of Distinction” award at a special ceremony in the State Capitol on Tuesday May 16, 2023.

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