Skills in Scranton Empowers Future Workforce at Summit Skills in Scranton, the workforce development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, successfully hosted the 2025 Workforce Summit on Thursday, March 20, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel. The event brought together over 200 students from eight regional school districts, more than 50 regional employers, and over 150 job-seeking walk-ins. Designed to bridge the gap between career opportunities and students who may not be college-bound, the summit showcased viable career paths available in northeastern Pennsylvania. The event featured dynamic keynote presentations by Ryan Leckey of Ryan Leckey Media and Marc Gonzalez of Site2. Both speakers offered valuable insights on career development, workforce trends, and strategies for growth in today’s evolving job market. Between the keynote sessions, attendees participated in panel discussions covering topics such as manufacturing, the trades, and professional development. Students and job seekers also had the chance to network with local employers, explore job openings, and engage in interactive career sessions focused on workforce readiness. “The Workforce Summit is an incredible opportunity for students and job seekers to connect directly with employers who are eager to hire local talent,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at The Chamber. “By providing hands-on career exploration and professional development resources, we’re ensuring that our future workforce is prepared to succeed in the dynamic job market of northeastern Pennsylvania.” By fostering direct connections between employers and future employees, the Workforce Summit continues to strengthen the regional economy. Skills in Scranton remains committed to delivering impactful programs that address the area’s workforce needs, ensuring students and job seekers have the resources and opportunities to build meaningful careers in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Strzelec Named Top 25 Women in Business Honoree by NEPA Business Journal The leadership of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Jennifer Strzelec, program coordinator for its community leadership and professional development division, Leadership Lackawanna, has been selected as an honoree for the prestigious Top 25 Women in Business by the NEPA Business Journal. The NEPA Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business recognizes outstanding women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community involvement, and professional success throughout the region. As program coordinator, Strzelec plays a vital role in advancing Leadership Lackawanna’s mission to cultivate community leadership and foster professional development across northeastern Pennsylvania. She primarily supports the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) program, a seven-month initiative designed for high school juniors. In this capacity, Strzelec oversees recruitment, marketing, evaluations, and administrative operations. Her leadership ensures that the next generation of leaders is equipped with the essential skills and knowledge they need. In addition to managing TLT, Strzelec runs Leadership Lackawanna’s collegiate initiatives and alumni engagement, fostering a lifelong network of leadership and community involvement. Strzelec brings a diverse background to her role. She previously gained valuable experience as a preschool aide in Mt. Cobb and at the YMCA in King George, Virginia. Her commitment to service extends beyond education, as she is a veteran of the United States Army, where she served in the avionics division at both Fort Hood, Texas, and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. “This honor is a true reflection of her talent and hard work, and I’m very proud to see her recognized. Indeed, it is a testament to her dedication, not only to Leadership Lackawanna but to our community,” shared Nicole Morristell, executive director of Leadership Lackawanna.
Olympic Gold Medalist to provide Keynote Address at EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces that Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes will provide the lunch keynote at EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience. Dominique Dawes is the first African American gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal. She is the owner of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies. The first academy opened in July 2020 during the global pandemic, and the second location opened in 2023. Dominique Dawes, lunch keynote speaker Christina Butler, breakfast keynote speaker Dawes holds minority ownership in the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League. Alongside Drew Brees, she served as the co-chair of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition under the Obama administration. Recently, Dawes collaborated with LeBron James and Maverick Carter as Executive Producer of the Peacock docuseries “Golden,” which follows USA’s elite gymnasts on the road to the Tokyo Olympics and has been nominated for a Sports Emmy. EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience is the premier women’s leadership event in northeastern Pennsylvania. Marking its 10th year, the 2025 conference theme is “DREAM BIG!” and will be held on April 24 at Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center. Presented by Geisinger, EMPOWER is a day-long conference highlighting the ability all women have to create positive change in their communities and lives while recognizing the extraordinary power that exists when women come together to support each other. In addition to Dawes, the breakfast keynote address will be provided by Christina Butler, a communications and presentation skills professional, and 44 regional speakers will present in breakout sessions. Attendees will also have access to a wellness studio and a small business marketplace. It is anticipated that the conference will host 1,000 attendees in 2025. For a third year, The Honesdale National Bank will sponsor EMPOWER TEEN, a specialized track for students currently enrolled in high school and between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. The program empowers and enhances students’ personal and professional development. Tickets are available through April 1, 2025.
The Chamber and The Steel Supply Company Broker a Deal in Valley View Business Park The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and its business development division, the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), announces the sale of 2.67 acres in the Valley View Business Park to The Steel Supply Company, Inc. The Steel Supply Company produces components, supplies, and services that are critical to the structural steel fabrication industry. The company will manufacture and distribute industrial steel fabrication products from its new location in Jessup, Pennsylvania. Back Row (L-R): Amy Luyster, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; AJ Cimahosky, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Javier Pazmino, The Steel Supply Company, Inc.; Willie Obeid, The Steel Supply Company, Inc.; Front Row (L-R): Bob Durkin, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Matt Obeid, The Steel Supply Company; and Heather Kubic Skapyak, GPI “We are excited about this new facility and the opportunities it affords the company for manufacturing, fabricating, and new product line development, shared Barbara Obeid, president of The Steel Supply Company. The area offers an impressive combination of facilities, access to shipping lanes, and a capable labor force. The assistance provided in locating the property and guiding the process by the energetic people at The Chamber has been invaluable. We look forward to working with the Chamber in bringing this project to fruition.” “SLIBCO and The Chamber leadership are thrilled to see this project come to fruition. The Steel Supply Company is committed to driving the workforce in Lackawanna County and falls right in line with the targeted industry sectors we desire to see grow in the area. Manufacturing has always been a part of our story here, and projects like these will allow that to continue,” shared AJ Cimahosky, business development specialist at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber through its business development division, SLIBCO, and its business development marketing program, The Scranton Plan, are committed to attracting, sustaining, and growing business and the workforce in targeted industries. These industries include advanced manufacturing, food and beverage production, technology, energy, and life sciences. “In choosing a new site in Jessup to manufacture and distribute components, The Steel Supply Co. clearly recognizes some of Lackawanna County’s business-development advantages,” said Commissioner Bill Gaughan. He adds, “Our location and transportation infrastructure put major markets within easy reach, and our workforce ensures high-quality products. We welcome the Steel Supply Co. not only as a great addition to the county’s industrial base, but as further proof that Lackawanna County is open for business.” For information regarding this property or additional real estate opportunities in Lackawanna County, visit www.thescrantonplan.com.
The Chamber AcceleratesAction by Celebrating International Women’s Day and Presents the ATHENA Award The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted more than 200 attendees at its annual International Women’s Day Celebration, sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank, and presented the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award to Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, FACP, FAAP, the president and chief executive officer of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. Marianne Gilmartin, vice chair/chair-elect, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Robert Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Donna Barbetti, Michael A. Barbetti LLC CPA; Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, FACP, FAAP, president and chief executive officer, The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Education; Mari Potis, director of membership and events, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Deb Kolsovsky, executive vice president and regional director, PNC Bank. The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. Dr. Thomas-Hemak embodies these characteristics wholeheartedly. Dr. Thomas-Hemak joined The Wright Center in 2001, became president in 2007, and CEO in 2012. Concurrent with her responsibilities as an executive, Dr. Thomas-Hemak is also quintuple board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, addiction medicine, obesity medicine, and nutrition, and she remains a healer at heart. Kate Bryant, president and chief executive officer, The Honesdale National Bank; Elizabeth Nagy, vice president, director of marketing, sales, and online banking, The Honesdale National Bank; Katie Desiderio, Ph.D., MBA, principal partner in learning, Proximal Development, LLC; Marianne Gilmartin, vice chir/chair-elect, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Mari Potis, director of membership and events, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Dr. Katie Desiderio provided the keynote address. Dr. Desiderio is a tenured professor of management at Moravian University and the principal partner of Proximal Development, LLC. In Dr. Desiderio’s keynote, she inspired the audience to define their stories in six words by going on a journey of exploring who they are and who around them helps them achieve that dream version of themselves. “Today, as we gather to celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of women who shape our community,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “The presentation of the Athena Award is a testament to the exceptional leaders who inspire us all to dream bigger, reach higher, and break barriers. It is an honor to recognize these remarkable women, whose achievements remind us that the power of leadership knows no bounds.”
Broadway Theatre League, Special Offer for Sunday Night Showing of The Addams Family Broadway Theatre League Special Offer for Chamber members THE ADDAMS FAMILY is coming this weekend, March 7-9! Get 2 tickets for $99 (plus facility fees) for the Sunday, March 9,m 2025 at 6:30 p.m. performance Use code: THING to unlock this offer. (When purchasing online, click “unlock” to enter the code.) . Offer available now through March 9 at 6:30PM on select seats. Valid for the Sunday 6:30PM performance only. Must use/show code THING to unlock. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Offer available online and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center Box Office. Additional fees apply online.
Mohegan Pennsylvania: This summer, A Tribune to Tina Tuner Mohegan Pennsylvania is proud to host the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic as they present Simply the Best: A Tribute to Tina Turner on Saturday, June 7th. Under the baton of Maestra Mélisse Brunet and Scott Coulter’s Spot On Entertainment, this iconic performance honoring one of music’s most legendary superstars starts at 7:30 pm in the Keystone Grand Ballroom. “We’re delighted to welcome NEPA Philharmonic back to Mohegan Pennsylvania for the first time since 2016,” said Tony Carlucci, President & General Manager at Mohegan Pennsylvania. “This partnership is a great match. Their mission statement for this concert season references building bridges, which we can relate to because we’re also dedicated to building bridges with our local community. Our guests are in for a treat as this trio of incredible talent will perform some of the greatest hits in music history.” Tickets to Simply the Best: A Tribute to Tina Turner are on sale now via the NEPA Philharmonic website or the Philharmonic Ticket Hotline at 570.270.444. Will Call, located at the entrance of the Convention Center, opens at 6:00pm and the pre-function space (including a cash bar) opens at 6:30pm. Doors to the Keystone Grand Ballroom open at 7:00pm. Performed by a trio of singers, including two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Tamika Lawrence and Broadway’s Shaleah Adkisson, Simply the Best celebrates the stories and songs that made Tina Turner one of the greatest performers the world has ever known. Guests will get the chance to rock out to classics like “Proud Mary”, “River Deep – Mountain High”, “Private Dancer”, “Better Be Good to Me” and more, including the number one hit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It”. The Philharmonic Pops series is sponsored by the PNC Foundation in collaboration with Dr. Seth W. And Carolyn Fisher. Additional sponsors include Munley Law and Pat Atkins & Family. This is an all-ages show, however, most areas of Mohegan Pennsylvania are 21+ including the hotel, casino floor and most restaurants. All guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, enter via the hotel and convention center entrance and proceed directly to the Keystone Grand Ballroom.
Misericordia University Celebrates African American Artists Join us in celebrating the African American artists of Paulson Fontaine Press until March 29th! This exhibition features works by seventeen African American artists who have helped to shape the contemporary art conversation in the Bay Area and beyond. Works draw from history, traditional crafts, geography, and personal memory to show a variety and breadth of printmaking techniques. For more information please visit https://www.misericordia.edu/campus-community/pauly-friedman-art-gallery
