
“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.
Core Class of 2023
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).