Leadership U Applications Open Leadership Lackawanna, the Chamber’s premier community leadership and professional development affiliate, has opened applications for its Leadership U program – in partnership with Penn State Scranton. Leadership U is a three-credit college summer course for high school students called Effective Speech. Participants will gain leadership and community engagement skills in the areas of communication and public speaking. The course aims to provide participants with the confidence and expertise to engage in public speaking, use S.T.E.A.M. to empower students to take thoughtful risks, and use historical awareness and appreciation to provide an understanding of our region’s past, present, and future while developing financial literacy skills and college/career preparation. Leadership U applications are open to high school juniors and seniors, charter school, and homeschooled students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The cost of the program is $400. Limited scholarships are available. Deadline to apply is May 4. Leadership U is scheduled to be held in person at Penn State Scranton, every Wednesday from June 29 to August 10 from 1:00-3:15 p.m. Upon successful completion of Leadership U, participants receive three college credits to Penn State for a general education, 100 level class which are transferable to most institutions. Apply through May 4 at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com. APPLY
Kim Drumgo – EMPOWER Conference Speaker Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Geisinger Health System Presentation: Inclusive Companies and Communities The last two years has caused significant shifts in the workplace, demographically and interpersonally. Now more than ever, organizations are grappling with the effects of the “Great Resignation” and are competing for talent locally and nationally. In this session, Kim will provide insight into how companies and the communities they serve can increase resilience and aptitude for change, attract talent, grow engagement, and allow for better relationships between people from different perspectives and experiences. Bio: Kim Drumgo, MBA, is the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for Geisinger, an integrated health services organization that serves more than 3 million residents through 45 counties in central, south-central, and northeast Pennsylvania with over 24,000 employees. In her role at Geisinger, Kim provides strategic leadership and support of DEI programs across the health system. Her current focus areas include fostering inclusive cultures, talent attraction and growth, community health equity, and supplier diversity. With over 25 years of experience, Kim is recognized as a thought leader with demonstrated experience leading change initiatives in large matrixed organizations such as Anthem, AICPA, and BCBS. In the last 15 years, Kim has established multiple inaugural DEI offices and revitalized a fortune 30 DEI program to align the accountability of DEI with its 70,000 employees strategically. As an expert in the field of diversity management, Kim has been cited or featured in Becker’s Hospital Review, Chief Healthcare Executive, Profiles in Diversity Journal, Diversity Network Journal, Diversity Manager, The Journal of Accountancy, and many other publications and conferences. Kim is the past chairman of the PhD Project board and member of the Conference Board Diversity Council. She continues to serve as an advisor to many other entities focused on diversity and inclusion. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public health from UNC Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland. GET TICKETS
Brittany Cesarini – EMPOWER Conference Panelist Director of Communications, Global Health Corps Presentation: Managing Conflict Panel The ability to resolve conflict in the workplace is an essential ability for leaders in any organization. When there is open and transparent processes for identifying, resolving, and managing conflict, it is proven to improve productivity and job satisfaction of employees. In this session, our panelists will discuss techniques on how to engage in meaningful conversations and manage conflict in the workplace. Bio: Brittany Cesarini is the director of communications at Global Health Corps, an international nonprofit working to develop rising leaders in the U.S., East and Southern Africa, and beyond. In her role, she oversees internal communications, messaging and storytelling, branding, content creation and editorial, and digital communications. Over the past decade, she’s worked with hundreds of young leaders to find, hone, and share their voices to accelerate progress towards health equity. Brittany has also spoken and facilitated at numerous global events including Diversity Reboot 2021, Women Leaders in Global Health 2021, and New York University’s Social Innovation Symposium in 2020. Prior to her work at Global Health Corps, Brittany led communications and legislative affairs for a Bronx-based New York City Council member, focusing on key health and immigration issues in the poorest Congressional district in the U.S. She began her career working at the intersection of strategic communications and grassroots health advocacy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as the recipient of the Henry Richardson Labouisse ’26 Prize. Brittany holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a double minor in gender studies and African studies from Princeton University. She has also trained in effective coaching with LifeLabs, effective management with The Management Center, and “writing to change the world” with The Op-Ed Project. Fluent in Swahili and an avid reader, writer, and hiker, Brittany currently lives in NEPA with her husband and their young son. GET TICKETS
Applications Open for Leadership Collegiate Program APPLY Leadership Lackawanna, the premier community leadership and professional development affiliate of the Chamber, has opened applications for its Leadership Collegiate program. The program is open to students currently enrolled in a trade school, college, or university anywhere in the United States. The courses will be offered March 7 through April 18 and participants work on weekly course content at their own pace. There are six mandatory, one-hour Zoom meetings throughout the course. This 6-week virtual program, consisting of online modules, will provide current and aspiring leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience – complete with a variety of personal and professional development skills that are ideal for building a solid resume and honing leadership, interview, and career readiness skills. In addition, the opportunity to connect with students from around the state and build connections via a private LinkedIn group will be plentiful. This program is co-facilitated by Leadership Lackawanna executive director, Nicole Morristell and 68 Rising leadership consultant, Dr. Matthew Sowcik. Cost for Leadership Collegiate is $300 per person with payment plans and scholarships available. Applications close on February 25. Apply at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com.
Maria Traino – EMPOWER Conference Speaker Owner, Inspired Studio Presentation: Get Out of Your Own Way Learn how to get out of your own way and intentionally design all areas of your life through brain-based transformation. Bio: Maria Traino is an award-winning, professional brand designer of nearly two decades. She founded Inspired Studio, a design and marketing agency, and is a certified NeuroCoach who works with entrepreneurs to intentionally define and design their version of success… from the inside out. Maria developed The Designer’s Approach, a step-by-step framework for brain-based transformation. Maria naturally approaches life and business challenges the exact same way she would approach a design challenge: with curiosity, creativity, and knowing that a solution always exists. Part of Maria’s secret for success has been understanding that her clients already have answers inside of them—it’s her honor, as a designer and a coach, to help them realize their uniqueness, shatter limiting beliefs, and intentionally create lasting transformation using the power of neuroscience. GET TICKETS
Jennifer Ciarimboli – EMPOWER Conference Speaker Owner, studio BE Presentation: Leading Mindfully: Personal and Professional Empowerment This session offers you practical, wholehearted tools for well-being that are grounded in the real world of the 21st century. Rooted in mindfulness, Jennifer offers simple tools for dealing with conflict, managing stress, leading cohesive teams, and creating cultures that thrive. Jennifer talks statistics on stress and burnout in the workplace, as well as information on how to counter these challenges, at home and at work. Bio: Suffering from burnout after nearly a decade in corporate sales, Jennifer Ciarimboli walked away from her career and her successes to transform her life. She embarked on a journey of deep study, training with world-renowned experts in yoga, the teachings of the Buddha, spiritual inquiry, and mindfulness meditation, opening her heart and mind to a new way of serving the world. Jennifer recognized that if she had access to mindfulness meditation years ago, she might have been better able to manage stress—and from this insight, studio BE was born. studio BE specializes in well-being based on mindfulness and mindfulness-based practices—including meditation, psychological inquiry, body integration, breathwork, and other alternative modalities—taught both on-site and virtually. The goal of the company is simple: to reduce suffering in the world. This is achieved by helping individuals cultivate their own inner-resources, resulting in happier, more resilient people. When these practices are embraced wholeheartedly within organizational culture, it opens the door to unlimited potential for better connection, deeper trust, and renewed creativity—this is the new face of the 21st-century workplace. GET TICKETS
Chelsea Manganaro – EMPOWER Wellness Presenter Owner, Nearme Yoga & Nearme Cafe Wellness Presentation: Yoga for All Come take a break to be present, relax, and get inspired to move your stiff body. This yoga class will be accessible to all levels from beginner to advanced, with an option to use a chair. Bio: Chelsea Manganaro (500RYT) is the owner of Nearme Yoga in Moosic & Peckville, Nearme Cafe, and NEPA Yoga Festival. She has created and expanded her businesses with the idea of connecting a community with the goal to spread as much love and knowledge of yoga and wellness as she can. Nearme Yoga & Cafe creates an environment where inclusion, consistency and community take priority – one yoga class, one coffee cup & Buddha Bowl at a time. Behind every small business there’s a real family, and Nearme Yoga & Cafe is no exception. Owner Chelsea Manganaro always had passion for hospitality in her professional and personal life, and brought her ambitious vision to the local community with the first location of Nearme Yoga & Cafe here in Moosic. Nearme Yoga is a creation sparked by passion and community needs. It is and will continue to grow and morph into what is needed in each and every community it makes it way to. Chelsea left her career with Lockheed Martin in 2019 to pursue this vision 100%. She believes that in a world of ceaseless innovation, sometimes taking the most basic of human needs and providing it to the community can make the most fulfilling life. Healthy, affordable and attainable food mixed with mindfulness and keeping our bodies healthy allows so many people to make their way to better versions of themselves. We have been able to help and change so many peoples lives for the better. This spirals way beyond a yoga class, it is just the start. Having the Cafe and store has allowed people to come and experience the look and feel of the yoga studio without the fear of actually committing to a class. Many people have started yoga because they were able to see the space before hand. Although the goal for the business was always to franchise, it really took COVID to shake up the business model and create what we call is our ecosystem. Find out all studio information at nearmeyoga.com and nearmecafe.com for cafe info. GET TICKETS
Talia Walsh – EMPOWER Wellness Presenter Owner, Quest Studio Wellness Presentation: LifeStretch: Learn How to Stretch for Life! Join Talia, level 3 fascial stretch therapy practitioner, for a guided mobility stretch class. It targets your body’s fascial system to get amazing results with no pain and no strain, allowing you to discover the best path for your body to become more flexible and relaxed. The class addresses the tension throughout your body and then reduces, rebalances, and releases it to help you feel better, move better, and perform better. All bodies welcome! Bio: Talia is on a Quest to inspire others, using her life experiences and knowledge, to become their best self in all aspects of their lives. As an exercise physiologist, entrepreneur, and business owner of two fitness studios, she focuses on empowering others to reach their goals using multiple tools touching on health, fitness, nutrition, goal setting, and mindset. Talia has a passion for speaking in corporate settings, understanding the importance of a healthy work environment, as well as empowering women and college students. Her audiences are captivated by her engaging style. She inspires, motivates, and ignites her audiences to embrace life and reach for their highest potential. Quest Studio is a specialty fitness studio and wellness center that’s been operating for 5 years. The newest location is a yoga studio located in a refurbished church. Talia also created Quest Studio On Demand to be able to impact others around the world. GET TICKETS
Edna Cementina – EMPOWER Wellness Presenter Owner, Emobile Gym Fitness Wellness Presentation: Zumba Fitness Zumba is a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance that incorporate interval training. It helps reduce health risks, maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your heart, and boost your mood. In this session, Edna will teach Zumba sentao – which uses a chair for support, balance, and as a prop. You’ll use your own body weight to firm and tone your arms, abs, and glutes – all while feeling the music and moving your hips the Zumba way. Bio: Edna Cementina is a certified group fitness Instructor who has been leading0 fellow NEPA clients in fitness for the past five years. Her gym – Emobile Gym Fitness – offers a range of classes including core, strength training, cardio, HIIT, STRONG Nation™, and ZUMBA!Currently, Edna holds certification for group fitness and personal training in American Sports & Fitness Association (ASFA), as well as certification in Zumba, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, and the most challenging of them all, STRONG Nation™.Edna has taught classes in numerous fitness centers and gyms in the area, but nowadays, she’s only teaching at her studio located in Dunmore. “Teaching is not a job for me, it’s a fun way to get to workout and interact with a great group of people. I love my clients and the positive energy they bring to class,” Edna says. She believes there is never a bad day at the gym. Working out is not just to look good on the outside, but it makes everyone feel great on the inside. Edna is glad that now she can share this passion with others in her own fitness studio so they can experience great and challenging workouts in a more intimate setting, with 100% focus on them. GET TICKETS
Tina Welch – EMPOWER Conference Speaker Founder, Welch Performance Consulting Presentation: Oh, Look…a Squirrel! The Distracted Workforce and Strategies to Refocusing for Resilience People are experiencing an unprecedented level of distraction, and lack of focus in their daily lives. These issues don’t stay outside of the workplace. They impact productivity, safety, goal attainment, progress and quite frankly, enjoyment at work. This session will provide participants with an understanding of what causes distraction, strategies to help yourself become more focused, and leadership skills for you to coach others. Bio: Tina Welch is the founder of Welch Performance Consulting, a strategic human resources consulting firm that helps employers create great workplaces! Known for putting her heart and soul into the organization, Tina takes a practical approach when evaluating any HR system or process, ensuring that it is tailored to achieve the business strategy desired. Tina has more than 30 years of senior leadership experience working with for-profit, employee owned, non-profit, and public institutions in a variety of industries helping shape their organization’s culture and value system through strategic HR and OD practices. She brings all of this experience to bear when working with her clients so that organizations can learn from this experience and adapt the best ideas to suit their needs.Tina holds a B.S. in health policy and administration and an M.S. in human resources training and development from Penn State University, as well as the Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management. She has taught human resources management courses for various colleges and universities and is a frequent invited speaker for HR and career development courses, symposiums, and conferences. Tina continues her service to organizations through board membership with several private and community organizations. GET TICKETS
