The Creative Education Foundation (CEF) is proud to present the 2025 CPSI Distinguished Leader Award to Tony Billoni
The Creative Education Foundation is thrilled to announce that Tony Billoni has been selected as the 2025 CPSI Distinguished Leader Award recipient — by a majority vote from our CPSI community!
This peer-nominated and peer-voted award recognizes long-time CPSI leaders who demonstrate unwavering dedication, leadership, and service to our creative community. Tony exemplifies the spirit of CPSI and has helped shape the experience for countless participants over the years.
To be considered for this award, nominees must:
- Have not previously received a DLA
- Have been a leader at CPSI for 4 of the last 5 years
- Be in good standing with CEF/CPSI and with state and federal laws
Tony Billoni shared the following in response to this honor:
“Thirty years ago I received that fateful suggestion many in our tribe have heard: ‘You would be great to attend CPSI!’ From my first CPSI, the path of my life changed, and the success of my consulting practice is a direct result of my relationship with CEF and CPSI. I am honored to have worked with and become friends with so many leaders along the way, especially Sid and Bea Parnes, whose words I quote to others on a regular basis. We don’t just get a set of tools and a state of mind from our time at CPSI—we carry away a one-of-a-kind energy that some call magic.”
A lifelong resident of Western New York, Tony has been deeply engaged in the arts and entertainment scene both locally and in New York City. After discovering CPSI—and eventually becoming its event producer—he earned a Master’s degree from the Center for Applied Imagination at Buffalo State University. He co-hosts the Creative Flow podcast, which features stories of Center graduates using creativity to improve the world.
Through his APEX Leader Growth consulting practice, Tony applies divergent and convergent energy, along with the CPS process, to help entrepreneurs and organizations “get better faster” through coaching, facilitation, and creative problem-solving.
Tony and his wife—who works in the hair and makeup industry with private clients and the sports/entertainment world—have two adult children who spent many years growing up in the CPSI YouthWise program.
Beth Miller, Executive Director of the Creative Education Foundation, shared:
“Tony’s commitment to and love of CPSI inspires me every year. Tony has also been a true champion of CEF and CEF’s work in Buffalo, NY. I am deeply grateful to have him in our community, and grateful to call him a friend.”
Join us at CPSI 2025 to celebrate Tony and this well-earned recognition! Join him at his Art of the Decision breakout session or for the CPS Facilitation Immersion (prerequisites required for this course).
Congratulations, Tony!