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. Below is a tentative schedule for the 2022-2023 program year. Note: Opening Retreat is a mandatory two-day program.

Erica Acosta
Wilkes University

Taelor Allen
Procter & Gamble

Eugene Axton
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

Anthony Bartoli
AssuredPartners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Craig Bound
Borton-Lawson

Pricilla Cabral
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Bryanne Caruso
Fidelity Bank

Craig Champi
Navient

Kelly Clisham
Wilkes University

Amber Connelly
Geisinger

Steven Cooper
Catalyst Power Holdings

Shaun Daney
Benchmark McCabe Division

Danielle Dominick
Benco Dental

Danielle Ems
Martz Group

Carmine Falletta
Mobiniti

Stephanie Fernandes
Luzerne County Public Defender’s Office

Robert Gawlas
Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP

James Gildea
Mobiniti

Nicole Gilligan
Benco Dental

Regina Graham
Geisinger Health Plan

Cara Green
Penn State Wilkes-Barre

Ashley Hoffman
Geisinger

Jeanette Hontz
Family Service Association of NEPA

Johnyne Hoyes
Comcast Cable

Rocio Huerta
The Hershey Company

Lauren Jason
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies

Caitlin Jones
Step by Step, Inc.

Robert Judge
UGI Utilities

John Jurosky
Geisinger

Daniel Kang
Procter & Gamble

Suzanne Kennedy
Community Bank, N.A.

Jesse Macko
Coal Creative

Sierra Marsh
Maternal and Family Health Services

Tiziana Mazzarella
DeMazz, Inc.

Lois Miller
FNCB Bank

Meghan Miller
Baker Tilly US, LLP

Shelby Monk
Diamond City Partnership

Tyler Motisko
Wilkes-Barre Scranton Chiropractic

Michelle Pack
Blu Door Financial

Therese Paxton
Tobyhanna Army Depot

David Pearson
Highlights for Children Magazine

Heather Pliska
CVS Caremark

Joanne Quaglia
Geisinger

Fred Rosencrans
Luzerne County 9-1-1

Ryan Rostocki
Borton-Lawson

Rocky Selenski
InterMetro Industries

Katherine Spencer
Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce

Rachael Stull
Shooze Boutique

Stacey Sturdevant
Luzerne County Head Start

Cassidy Taylor
Leadership Northeast

Megan Valkenburg
Wilkes University

Ashley Wellington
Wells Fargo Bank

Tiffany Wiernusz
Misericordia University

Kathryn Wilk
Clem-Mar House, Inc.

Application Process
If you are interested in becoming a member of the LNE Core class, please email nicole@leadershipnortheast.org or contact the Leadership Northeast office at (570) 270-LEAD (5323).