“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.
Core Class of 2027
Mary Beth Allen
Foundation Relations Manager
Misericordia University
William Amesbury
Financial Planner
Inspire Confidence Group
Ethan Arnold
Category Manager
Benco Dental
Tiffany Augusto
Supervisor of Operations
CVS Caremark
Miriam Bakewell
Direction of Operations
Luzerne County Head Start
Michelle Benson
Technical Sales Specialist
UGI Utilities Inc.
Chris Bertinelli
Senior Project Manager
Quandel Construction
Cory Champi
Branch Manager
PNC Bank
David Cooper
Memebrship and Administrative Liaison
Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce
Valerie Diaz Cruz, Esq.
Attorney
Selingo Guagliardo, LLC
Shane Ely
VP, Branch & Community Development Manager
Community Bank, N.A.
Kristine Evans
Team Leader – Phlebotomy Services
Geisinger Medical Laboratory
Thomas Foley
Treasury Manager
Luzerne County
Kristen Forster
Senior Director, Clinical Research and Operations
Brian Gabriel, Esq.
Attorney
Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, P.C.
Michael Gallis
Commercial Insurance Advisor
Gallagher Insurance
Connor Graham
Independent Contractor
O’Donnell Law Offices
Jennifer Groblewski
Community Office Manager
First Keystone Community Bank
Andrea Hall
Business Process Leader
Reitter Consulting Services
Bridget Haverly
RN
Geisinger
Katherine Healey
Board Member
Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame
Arden Hoban
Grant and Compliance Accountant
Maternal and Family Health Services
William Ives
Deputy Director of Emergency Services – 911 Communications
Luzerne County 911
Elizabeth Kelly
Psych Rehab Supervisor
Step by Step, Inc.
Alyssa Kobal
Community Banking Manager, Assistant Vice President
Peoples Security Bank & Trust
Taylor Manfre
Facilities Manager
Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza
Victoria Martin
Law Clerk
Federal Hearings and Appeals Services
Paola Mendez
Community Impact Manager
United Way of Wyoming Valley
Paul Mikalic
Regional Sales
H.R. Solutions by OneSource
Madelaine Mills
Marketing Coordinator
Step by Step, Inc.
Mark Moran
Senior Mechanical Engineer
The Hershey Company
Karissa Morrow
Associate Personal Banker
Wells Fargo Bank NA
Marley Muller-Zbierski, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP
Luke Nealon
Accountant
Martz Bus
Julius Ocean
Business Banker
Northwest Bank
Gene Ondeck
Director of Security & Transportation
Mohegan Pennsylvania
Jenelle Osborne
Manager of Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Junior Achievement of NEPA
Brian Palma
Corporate Director, Human Resources
PowerRail
Madeleine Prestogeorge
Deputy Director
Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania
Diana Ritz
Assistant Branch Manager
Fidelity Bank
Hannah Rossmeisl
Manufacturing Operations Manager
Procter & Gamble
Jaime Ryan
Senior Vice President
M&T Bank
Emma Sands
Staff Accountant
Benco Dental
Sam Shervinski
Customer Service Specialist | Sales Support
Alcom Printing Group
Miranda Smith
Architectural Designer
Verdantas
Michele Sparich
Division Head, Operational Services
Luzerne County
Kyle Stratton
Membership and Marketing Coordinator
Visit Luzerne County
Kaitlin Sypniewski
Director of Compliance
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
Morgan Tannery
Student Support & Accessibility Services Specialist
Luzerne County Community College
Darren Tomeo
Data Analytics Manager
Federal Hearings and Appeals Services
Jason Volonakis
Claims Director
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
Gretchen Wallace
Client Relationship Manager
Benchmark Mortgage-McCabe Group