LWB Program and Graduation Year:
Core Class of 2018
Title/Company:
Premium Auditor, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance
Describe your LWB experience in three words or phrases:
My Leadership Wilkes-Barre experience was life changing, humbling, and valuable. LWB not only gave me knowledge and skills, but also true, best friends. The best friends I made, I know I’ll have them for life and I’m so appreciative to LWB for that.
What are you doing in the community these days?
LWB was the springboard for all that I do in the community now and I’m so grateful. Currently, I sit on the board for Dress for Success, the Alumni Council for Wyoming Seminary, and I’m a member of the Osterhout Rooftop even committee as well as their new Gala Committee. I’m also still involved with LWB as a member of the Junior Leadership Advisory Council. I’m involved in many other organizations as well and cannot wait to continue my involvement as COVID diminishes and there are new opportunities and events.
How do you spend your free time?
Prior to COVID, I spent my free time at events, but because I had to be there, but because I enjoyed being at them. Supporting other organizations and meeting new people is what makes me happy.
Current professional and/or professional goals:
My current person goal is to be able to run a 5k. During COVID, I started running and in the middle of training broke my ankle, which obviously slowed down this goal. Now that I’m healed and well, I’d like to try to get back on track. A professional goal is to just keep learning and to keep mastering my job. We’re still working from home, so this new way of working was certainly an adjustment for all of us that, even a year later, we’re working on mastering.
If you could master one new ability, what would it be?
If I could master one new ability, it would be confidence. Someone may look at me and believe I have confidence, but I do not. LWB certainly helped me work on that, but it’s something that I still struggle with. Casual confidence is one of the most powerful social skills you can have. When you’re just generally confident, you’ll be able to talk to anyone about almost anything, no matter where you are. This is the ability I want to have and will continue to work on until I can say I’ve mastered it.
What advice would you give to current LWB participants?
The best advice I could give to current LWB participants is to enjoy every moment. That year of your life flies by and if you blink, all the good times will pass you by. Another piece of advice I would give it to tell your ideas to your group even if you think they’re ridiculous, because your group may think it’s an incredible idea. The last piece of advice is to be yourself, have fun, and go to Leadership After 5 events. They’re a great way to end your leadership days and get to know your peers better.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The only other thing I’d like to share is that I believe LWB is the greatest organization this valley has. With the wide variety of options, from high school students to professionals, there’s something for everyone. I’m forever grateful I was able to be a part of it.