Celebrating the Future Leaders of Tomorrow! The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce professional development and community leadership division, Leadership Lackawanna, celebrated 44 high school juniors who graduated from the organization Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) program. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today is sponsored by NBT Bank. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today is a seven-month program that develops the leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills of high school juniors and provides real-world experiences in financial literacy, health care, STEAM, philanthropy, crime and corrections, nonprofit organizations, and community service. Class of 2024 participants: Dhruv Amin Jacob Antolick Ashley Bossick Giada Costa Joseph DiStasi Chloe Dong Gabriella Estadt Nicholas Giumento Abigail Harshbarger Joseph Healey Matthew Hill Cole Johnston Zachary Kovaleski Kylie Krzak Caroline Luyster Jordan Malar Jack Maloney Mandie Martin Isabelle Maurer Sarah McCullon Roland McLaine Isabella Moher Declan Moran Reese Morgan Clinton Muir Ivy Neureuter Sarah O’Brien Justin Osman Ava Page Dante Pallazari Margaret Pegula Anthony John Piestrak Abygale Plevyak Hope Polishan Gabriella Potis Lily Rozzi Elizabeth Schneider Gia Serge Akhilesh Velaga Ava Wallace Makayla Walton Nico Warhola Elizabeth Washine Faith Wormuth Throughout the program, students were engaged in various sessions facilitated by local organizations serving the greater Scranton area. In addition to invaluable lessons in the program focus areas, students were given the unique opportunity to engage with business leaders and network with students from 16 local schools. Their program culminated with the allocation of $15,000 in grant money from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to five deserving local nonprofits selected by the students. The nonprofits that received the 2024 grants are the Catherine McAuley Center, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Keystone Mission, Lackawanna County Area Agency of Aging, and the Women’s Resource Center. In addition, each student completed five service hours for a total of 220 hours, dedicated to helping 8 local nonprofit organizations. Leadership Lackawanna’s TLT Program accepts applications from sophomores who attend high school in Lackawanna County and its surrounding areas, as well as all charter and technical schools and homeschool students. Learn more online at www.LeadershipLackawanna.org.
Episode Sixteen: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The Lender Roundtable is on Thursday, May 16, at The Chamber. This event is ideal for business bankers, commercial loan officers, and economic development professionals. Come and learn how you can grow your small business portfolio. Celebration of Leadership is June 20 at the Scranton Hilton & Conference Center. Grab your tickets and congratulate the 41st class of the Core program. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards $2,000 Grant to Leadership Lackawanna Leadership Lackawanna, an affiliate organization to The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and a local nonprofit organization dedicated to community leadership and professional development, announces the support from the Scranton Area Community Foundation for its Welcome Scranton! program. In correlation with the Foundation’s Spring Grants cycle, Leadership Lackawanna received a $2,000 Community Needs Grant. The grant funds will be directly used in the support and delivery of Welcome Scranton!, a 2 ½ day program designed to give participants a quick, but thorough, understanding of Scranton and Lackawanna County, along with a revitalized sense of putting leadership into action. enrollment is open to everyone, from newcomers to area natives, from entry-level employees to executives. “Participating in Welcome Scranton gave me an insider look at so many unique places in and around Scranton. I learned more in 2 and a half days than in the 7 years I’ve lived here, and I connected with some wonderful people along the way! We’re so grateful that thanks to this grant, we’ll be able to continue to offer this one-of-a-kind program.” The benefits of the program encompass exploring our area’s hidden gems, enhancing your network of personal and professional connections, hearing inspirational stories from our business community, and gaining exposure to local leaders, issues and service and leadership opportunities. Applications are now being accepted for Welcome Scranton! which begins May 23rd. Interested parties should apply online at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com by May 2.
Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 Level Program Now Accepting Applications Leadership Lackawanna, the community leadership and professional development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is now accepting applications for the Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 Level Program. Leadership Fundamentals 2.0 Level Program is an 8-week virtual course providing advanced leaders with all the fundamentals of leadership – but at a 2.0 level! This innovative and flexible online learning experience begins on January 30, 2024, and ends on March 19, 2024. Participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are eight mandatory Zoom meetings: January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5, 12, and 19 (every Tuesday from 12-1 pm. Noble Biomaterials and FNCB Bank proudly sponsor LF 2.0. The cost is $355 (Early Bird rate – ends 12/31/23) and $425. Tuition assistance and payment plans are available to all applicants. Applications are due by January 16, 2024. Upon submitting the application, a confirmation will be sent. Questions? Contact Nicole A. Morristell at 570-342-7711 or nmorristell@scrantonchamber.com. APPLY TOPICS INCLUDE Weeks 1 & 2: A Leadership Primer The Power of Perception Addressing the H-Factor Prioritizing Your Natural Leadership Addressing the “Right” Goals Action Orientation Prioritizing Your Purpose Addressing Your Leadership Brand Week 3 & 4: Leadership Identity Truly Utilizing Differences The Myers Briggs Type Indicator in Action The Power of Personality Leading Different Personalities Understanding Others to Lead More Effectively The Power of Generational Differences Managing Workplace Diversity Weeks 5 & 6: Leadership and Relationships Appreciation as a Tool for Passion Utilizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence The Necessity of Effective Communication Action Oriented Powerful Communication Practice Addressing Conflict Management Running an Effective Meeting Growing as a Team Weeks 7 & 8: Keys to Leadership The Power of Environment and Culture Utilizing Reframing to Address Opportunities Reframing Recognition The Power of Motivation, Goal Setting and Change Producing Meaningful Change Moving Forward and Continual Growth
Leadership Lackawanna Executive Program Class of 2023 Graduates Leadership Lackawanna is proud to announce the 2023 graduates of its Executive Program. Leadership Lackawanna’s six-week Executive Program deeply engages high-level professionals in the greater Scranton region, broadens their social network, and increases their overall knowledge of the community. It accepts applications from professionals in an executive-level (director or higher) position with extensive industry experience and demonstrated career progression. “Our mission at Leadership Lackawanna is to enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of our participants,” said Nicole Morristell, executive director of Leadership Lackawanna. “I’m confident the 14 individuals in this year’s Executive Level Program gained valuable insight into our mission and that they forged lasting connections that will strengthen them, both personally and professionally. It is my sincere hope that they will take these benefits and use them to positively impact the community!” This year, participants meet key business and community leaders as they receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history and culture, economic and political structures, community events, civic groups, recreational activities, and nonprofit organizations. Sessions were held one evening per week for six consecutive weeks at various locations in the greater Scranton community, including cocktails and dinner. The 2022 Executive Program graduates include: Danielle Breslin, Moses Taylor Foundation Michelle Hamilton, The Waverly Community House Megan Walbeck, Geisinger Sarah Marie Thomas, NativityMiguel School of Scranton Tricia Zilaitis, City of Scranton Meghan Lennox Gagorik, American Heart Association Kristyn Smith, Tobyhanna Army Depot Bethany Staples, Market Share Consulting Ron Augelli, Talk Shirty to me Jason Berger Brian Ross, Tobyhanna Army Depot Neil Bresnahan, Big Bass Lake Community Association, Inc. Kyle Lennon, Schulte Hospitality Andrew Kudasik, PNC Bank
Leadership Lackawanna Announces Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Class of 2023-24 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce community leadership and professional development affiliate, Leadership Lackawanna’s youth program, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, announces the program class of 2023–24. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) is a seven-month program that develops high school juniors’ leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills in the greater Scranton region. Program participants will be provided with real-world experiences in financial literacy, health care, STEAM, philanthropy, crime and corrections, nonprofit organizations, and community service instructed by partnering organizations. NBT Bank proudly sponsors the 2023–24 program year. TLT participants: Abigail Harshbarger Abygale Plevyak Akhilesh Velaga Anthony John Piestrak Ashley Bossick Ava Page Caroline Luyster Chloe Dong Clinton Muir Cole Johnston Dante Pallazari Declan Moran Dhruv D. Amin Elizabeth Schneider Elizabeth Washine Gabriella Estadt Gabriella Potis Gia Ann Serge Giada Costa Hope Polishan Isabella Moher Isabelle Maurer Ivy Neureuter Jack Maloney Jacob Antolick Jordan Robert Malar Joseph DiStasi Jospeh T. Healey Justin Osman Kylie Krzak Lily Rozzi Makayla Walto Mandie Martin Margaret Pegula Matthew Hill Nicholas Giumento Nico Warhola Reese Morgan Roland McLaine Sarah McCullon Sarah O’Brien Zavhary Kovaleski Tomorrow’s Leaders Today accepts applications from sophomores who attend high school in Lackawanna County and its surrounding areas, as well as all charter, technical schools, and homeschool students. PHOTO: Front Row: Ashley Bossick, Nicholas Giumento, Kylie Krzak, Isabella Moher, Ava Page, Dante Pallazari, Abygale Plevyak, Gabriella Potis, Lily Rozzi, Gia An Serge, Faith Wormuth. Second Row: Abigail Harshbarger, Chloe Dong, Cole Johnston, Giada Costa, Joseph T. Healey, Matthew Hill, Mandie Martin, Reese Morgan, Justin Osman, Margaret Pegula, Nico Warhola. Third Row: Gabriella Estadt, Jordan Robert Malar, Isabelle Maurer, Sarah McCullon, Declan Moran, Ivy Neureuter, Sarah O’Brien, Hope Polishan, Elizabeth Schneider, Makayla Walton, Elizabeth Washine. Back Row: Dhruv D. Amin, Jacon Antolick, Joseph DiStasi, Zachary Kobaleski, Caroline Luyster, Jack Maloney, Roland McLaine, Clinton Muir, Anthony John Piestrak, Akhilesh Velaga. NOT PICTURED: Ava Wallace
Leadership Lackawanna Announces Core Program Class of 2023–24 The Leadership Lackawanna core program class of 2023–24 met on Thursday, September 14, 2023, for their first session, which included an orientation and an introduction to leadership basics. Leadership Lackawanna strives to enhance emerging and established leaders’ skills, connections, and knowledge, strengthening our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Core Program class: Cali Rose Nataloni, Nunzi’s Advertising Hannah Shurtleff, First National Bank Rachael Santoro, Goodwill Industries of NEPA Amber Trunzo, Catherine McAuley Center Kelli McCullough, The Wright Centers Rachel Brummet, The Honesdale National Bank Abbey Merker, Montage Mountain Resorts Isabelle Ceccoli, Scranton Area Community Foundation Michaela Martines, The Wright Centers April James, Allied Services Home Health Jenn Sosa, Penn East Federal Credit Union Kim Lazuka, Greater Scranton YMCA Chelsea Cadwalder, NBT Bank Emily Pettinato, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Dana Force, United Neighborhood Centers Tara Floyd, Tobyhanna Army Depot Jacob Torba, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Megan Kolis, Condron Sweda Advertising Scott Burti, Tobyhanna Army Depot Stever Brown, LCBC Church Kristi Cleveland, Fidelity Bank Pam Fischer, Benco Dental Parker Dorsey, NeighborWorks NEPA Megan Benedict, Wells Fargo Thomas Swope, The AZEK Company Kaitlin Allard, Barry Callebaut Jason Pozniak, Nibbles & Bits Christoper Moshinskie, FNCB Bank Tara Jones, Lackawanna River Conservation Association Matthew Jones, Tobyhanna Army Depot Richard Peters, Alleima USA LLC Shaun Young, Tobyhanna Army Depot Stacy Cognetti, Lackawanna College Emily Glodzik, Penn State Scranton Nicole A. Morristell, executive director, shares, “I’m excited for the adventures and opportunities that lie ahead. This year’s participants have accomplished great things in their past and I look forward to seeing how they will utilize the leadership skills they acquire over the next ten months.” In Leadership Lackawanna’s 10-month Core Program, participants gain direct and indirect leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to the Greater Scranton region, through monthly sessions. Areas of focus can include community development, economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, history and media, with sessions featuring widely recognized specialists. Members of the class also devote a large portion of their time to develop and implement community projects, hence enhancing their leadership abilities, fostering teamwork and benefiting local nonprofit organizations. Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program accepts applications from candidates who live, work or play in Lackawanna County. Front row, left to right Cali Rose Nataloni, Nunzi’s Advertising; Hannah Shurtleff, First National Bank; Rachel Santoro, Goodwill Industries of NEPA Amber Trunzo, Catherine McAuley Center Kelli McCullough, The Wright Center Rachel Brummett, The Honesdale National Bank Abbey Merker, Montage Mountain Resorts Isabella Ceccoli, Scranton Area Community Foundation Michaela Martines, The Wright Center April James, Allied Services Home Health Jenn Sosa, Penn East Federal Credit Union Second row, left to right Philip Zvirblis, NET Federal Credit Union Kim Lazuka, Greater Scranton YMCA Chelsea Cadwalder, NBT Bank Emily Pettinato, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Dana Force, United Neighborhood Centers Tara Floyd, Tobyhanna Army Depot Stacy Cognetti, Lackawanna College Emily Glodzik, Penn State Scranton Jacob Torba, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Megan Kolis, Condron Sweda Advertising Scott Burti, Tobyhanna Army Depot Back row, left to right Steve Brown, LCBC Church; Kristi Cleveland, Fidelity Bank; Pam Fischer, Benco Dental; Parker Dorsey, NeighborWorks NEPA; Megan Benedict, Wells Fargo; Thomas Swope, The AZEK Company; Kaitlin Allard, Barry Callebaut; Jason Pozniak, Nibbles & Bits; Christopher Moshinskie, FNCB Bank; Tara Jones, Lackawanna River Conservation Association Matthew Jones, Tobyhanna Army Depot Richard Peters, Alleima USA LLC Absent from photo: Shaun Young, Tobyhanna Army Depot
Leadership Lackawanna Holding “Howl at the Moon” Dueling Pianos Fundraiser Leadership Lackawanna will host another amazing “Howl at the Moon” Dueling Pianos Fundraiser on Friday, October 20 at 7 PM at The Radisson Lackawanna Station in Scranton. The event will feature live entertainment, courtesy of the national “Howl At The Moon” dueling pianos group. Attendees are invited to sing, dance and howl as versatile and talented musicians perform their favorite songs from 80’s rock, 90’s pop and today’s dance hits on pianos and more in a high-energy show! The event will also feature basket raffles, a selfie station, and other ways for attendees to get their spooky on! Tickets are available now at ScrantonChamber.com and a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door. All tickets include event admission and five raffle tickets for a variety of fantastic prizes. Attendees can “tip” the musicians to play their favorite song. The higher the tip, the sooner their song plays. All tips go directly to Leadership Lackawanna. Danielle Weinschenk, Leadership Lackawanna Board of Directors Vice Chair, says the event will be the best one yet. “Our new location at the Radisson will allow more people to enjoy this fantastic night of dancing, singing and supporting a great cause! Come for the music, stay for the opportunity to win amazing prizes and dance the night away. The Howl at the Moon musicians will play anything from ‘Ghostbusters’ to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – and beyond!” All proceeds from the event will support Leadership Lackawanna’s mission of enhancing the skills, connections and knowledge of emerging and established leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as supporting community service projects conducted by Leadership Lackawanna participants.
Leadership Lackawanna Invites Regional Nonprofit Organizations to Submit Project LOIs The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce community leadership and professional development affiliate, Leadership Lackawanna, invites greater Scranton regional nonprofit organizations to submit a Service Project Letter of Intent (LOI) as the first step in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the 2023-24 Core class community service project. The Leadership Lackawanna organization will select multiple projects for the incoming class to work on throughout the program year (October 2023—June 2024). For nonprofit organizations and community groups, this invitation to submit an LOI presents an opportunity to use the services of a talented team of professionals. The group can help you with a project you have had in mind but lack the human resources to accomplish. At the same time, you can expose a group of established and emerging leaders to your organization’s mission and goals. This is a mutually beneficial experience for your agency and these emerging professionals. Projects must have a reasonable scope and budget and cannot include capital campaigns, rebranding/branding/marketing campaigns, or raising large sums of money. For more information on submitting a LOI to Leadership Lackawanna, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com. Questions may be directed to Leadership Lackawanna Executive Director Nicole Morristell at (570) 342–7711 or nmorristell@scrantonchamber.com. The deadline to submit a LOI is August 18, 2023. About The Greater Scranton Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com. About Leadership LackawannaLeadership Lackawanna, an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Leadership’s six programs: Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Leadership Collegiate, Core, Leadership Fundamentals 2.0, Executive, and Welcome Scranton!—enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them better to serve our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna has created more than 2,500 community leaders. For more information, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.
Morristell Receives 2023 Change Maker Award On Thursday, June 15, Nicole Morristell, executive director of Leadership Lackawanna received the 2023 Change Makers Awards presented by the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at Light up the Valley, held at Public Square Park in Wilkes-Barre. Morristell and 40 community influencers were recognized for their outstanding efforts to make NEPA a brighter place. Through her efforts, Morristell impacts the community by being an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion; volunteerism and innovation—improving the quality of life in the greater Scranton region. About The Greater Scranton Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com. About Leadership LackawannaLeadership Lackawanna, an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Leadership’s six programs: Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Leadership Collegiate, Core, Leadership Fundamentals 2.0, Executive, and Welcome Scranton!—enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them better to serve our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna has created more than 2,500 community leaders. For more information, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.
