Staff
Executive Director
Wendy Miller Backman, MSW
Ms. Backman graduated from SUNY Oswego with a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. She worked in various sales and marketing positions within the Healthcare field, including spending many years in pharmaceutical sales. After a move to Iowa in 1994, she decided to pursue a career change and went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa. Ms. Backman worked in a Family Services Clinic providing individual and family therapy before a move to Western NY brought her to Child and Family Services EAP program. She joined UCHS (United Church Home Society) in 2013 and is responsible for developing the Senior Wishes program. She credits her passion for seniors with her close relationships with her grandparents, who lived to be 89 and 101.
Development Manager
Cindy Reitebach
Cindy joined the team in January 2024 and brings her extensive experience in fundraising and event coordination to Senior Wishes, having served as the Fundraising Coordinator at St. Gregory the Great in Williamsville for 15 years. During her tenure, she successfully orchestrated numerous events, managed sponsorship campaigns, cultivated relationships, and coordinated volunteers, contributing to raising over $2.5 million in funds for the organization. Hailing from a family of nonprofit fundraisers with a specialization in auction skills and event management, Cindy has also consulted for several private schools in Western New York. Additionally, she has shared her expertise by conducting numerous webinars on effective fundraising techniques, particularly through live and silent auctions.
Program Coordinator
Michele Majstorovic, MSW
Michele joined the Senior Wishes family in February 2022. She has over 35 years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector. She was Affiliate and Events Coordinator for Susan G. Komen Upstate NY until they consolidated with the National organization. Prior to that, she was with the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, where she was Project Manager for the Day of Caring, News Neediest/WNY Holiday Partnership programs and the The Board Governance for Women Project; Special Events Manager, Director of the Volunteer Center and Director of Volunteer Training & Development. Michele earned her MSW in Community Organization and Planning from the University at Buffalo and her undergraduate degree from Daemen College. She has served as a member of the Advisory Council of RSVP, is a Leadership Buffalo Alumni, past member of the Junior League of Buffalo, longtime Orchard Park PTO volunteer and an active volunteer at St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church.
