Keynote Speakers Announced for EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the keynote speakers for this year’s EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, presented by Geisinger. The annual conference is a full-day event dedicated to elevating leadership, strengthening organizations, and driving meaningful impact across the region.

Opening the conference as the Breakfast Keynote Speaker, sponsored by Peoples Security Bank & Trust, is Dr. Katie P. Desiderio, assistant vice president and professor at Moravian University and founder of Proximal Development.

Dr. Desiderio is an organizational learning and leadership scholar, executive coach, and national best-selling author of The Beekeeper and The Stargazer. With more than two decades of experience in leadership development and change management, she equips leaders with practical strategies to unlock measurable and sustainable growth at every level of an organization.

Serving as the Lunch Keynote Speaker, sponsored by PNC Bank, is Jodi Kantor, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist with The New York Times and best-selling author. Kantor’s reporting has uncovered critical issues surrounding power, law, gender, technology, and culture, work that has led to meaningful change across industries and institutions. She and her colleagues were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their groundbreaking investigation into decades of alleged abuse by Harvey Weinstein, reporting that sparked a global reckoning and reshaped standards worldwide. In April 2026, Kantor will release her newest book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work, offering inspired wisdom and practical strategies to help individuals at every stage of their careers advance and reimagine their professional paths.

Beyond its keynote presentations, EMPOWER will feature an impressive lineup of regional breakout and panel speakers representing diverse industries and leadership journeys. Attendees can expect a dynamic agenda designed to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and provide actionable insights for today’s evolving workplace.

EMPOWER continues to serve as a cornerstone leadership event for the greater Scranton region, bringing together executives, entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and community stakeholders for a day of connection and growth. To view the full speaker roster, explore the conference agenda, and register, visit the conference website.