“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
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