Core Program

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Meade

LNE was founded in 1981 in response to the community’s need for a steady supply of leaders who are both familiar with the general structure of the community, its problems and issues and assets, and who are also capable of organizing and directing the efforts of others. This nine-month core program is designed for adult professionals to develop leadership skills, become more acquainted and involved within our community, and to work together to strengthen Northeast Pennsylvania.

Program Objectives

  • Bring together current and emerging leaders representing a broad cross-section of the community: business, government, education, religion, the arts, minority groups, service and community organization
  • Assist participants in recognizing and developing their leadership skills
  • Acquaint participants with community needs, resources and other factors that influence the direction of Northeastern Pennsylvania
  • Provide opportunities for a diverse group of individuals to interact with each other and with community leaders and decision-makers.
  • Foster interest in volunteer community service by creating and implementing group projects that address needs in the community
  • Stimulate a commitment and a responsibility to serve and strengthen our communities

Monthly sessions are held on the first Thursday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Note: Opening Retreat is a mandatory two-day program.

Applications for the Core Class of 2026 will be available in January 2025. If you’d like to be notified when applications are available, please email Nicole Hurchick at nicole@leadershipnortheast.org.

Core Class of 2025

LNE Alumni Directory

Kal Ali

The Hershey Company

Senior Sanitation Specialist

Rachel Antosh Hawk

Penn's Northeast

Marketing Director

Olivia Astolfi

The Shay Agency

Insurance Agent

Ellie Bartoli

Coffee Inclusive

Barista

Kelly Beishline

Wilkes University

Associate Director Human Resources

Daniel Burke

Comcast

Manager Business Development

Andrea Butchko

Verdantas

Staff Engineer II

Yekaterina Chinikaylo

Luzerne County Head Start

ECE Specialist

Rosa Colon

Peoples Security Bank & Trust

Personal Banker

Yesenia Cosme

Maternal Family Health Services

Women’s Service Coordinator

Nour Elbattah Wijahat

Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services

Lead Project Management Associate – Business Development

Michelle Elias

Federal Hearings and Appeals Services, LLC

Production Manager, Credentialing Specialist, Document Control Coordinator

Katherine Feola

AssuredPartners

Commercial Lines Manager

Joseph Ferretti

Community Bank, N.A.

Commercial Bank Officer – Business Banking

Jennifer Fish

CVS Caremark/CVS Health

Supervisor Operations, Care-Participant Services

Matthew Gabriel

Intermetro Industries

Product Manager

Matthew Giambra

DiscoverNEPA

Photographer

Nicole Gitkos

North Penn Legal Services

HR Manager

Joshua Gorton

Fidelity Bank

Assistant Branch Manager

RJ Hall

UGI Utilities

Growth Execution Specialist II

Samantha Harris

Jenneca Simkonis Memorial Foundation

Vice President

Shea Hughes

NEPA Rainbow Alliance

Executive Director

Sgt. Mark Hydock

Pennsylvania State Police

Sergeant – Criminal Investigation Section Supervisor

Nicole Kerestes

Benco Dental

Senior RFP Coordinator

Brittany Kittle

Step by Step, Inc.

Payroll

Edward Klein

Presidio Insurance LLC

Commercial Lines Account Executive

Matthew Krispin

PA Inclusive

Administrative Assistant

Frederick Lokuta, Esq.

Wilkes-Barre Young Lawyer's Association/Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP

Associate Attorney

Rachel Maculloch

DiscoverNEPA

Content Support Specialist

Danielle McCormick

Luzerne Bank

Branch Manager II

Jeff McLaughlin

Golden Business Machines

Solution Specialist

Mary Ellen McLean

Step by Step, Inc.

Property and Risk Associate

Daren Miller

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies

Small Business Unit Supervisor

Heather Nametko

Peoples Security Bank & Trust

Business Banking Associate

Mario Nese

Mohegan Pennsylvania

Director of Surveillance

Angelina Pacheco

CASA of Luzerne County

Development and Communications Manager

Alex Piehl

Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce

Economic Development Specialist

Neil Prisco

F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

Director of Marketing

Tori Reinard

Geisinger

Regional Operations Manager for the Surgical Suite

Santino Romanelli, Esq.

Federal Hearings and Appeals Services, LLC

Law Clerk

Janelle Rushton

King's College

Gift Officer

Kelsey Savka

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Assistant Director of Student Affairs

Kristen Scali

MOHELA

Manager, Customer Care Center

Alicia Stavitzski

Misericordia University

Social Media Marketing Strategist and Drone Pilot

Alan Stout

Visit Luzerne County

Executive Director

Kelsey Van Horn

Kelsey Van Horn Design Studio LLC

Owner, Graphic & Web Designer, Marketing Consultant

Nicholas Vitanovec

OneGroup

Business Risk Specialist

Robert Wilson

Power Engineering Corporation

Assistant Project Manager

Karissa Yaron

Cross Valley Federal Credit Union

Chief Financial Officer

David Ziegler

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies

Claims Manager