Leadership Lackawanna announces Core Program Class of 2026-27 Leadership Lackawanna, a division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce the 39 professionals selected for its Core Program Class of 2026–27. The 10-month Core Program develops participants’ leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills while expanding their understanding of issues affecting the greater Scranton region. Through monthly sessions led by recognized specialists, participants explore topics that may include community and economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, regional history and media. A cornerstone of the program is the Core Class Project experience. Working in teams alongside local nonprofit organizations, participants develop and implement service projects that address genuine community needs. The projects give class members practical experience in strategic thinking, goal setting, teamwork, consensus building, problem solving, fundraising, resource development, marketing, public relations, equity and inclusion, conflict resolution and evaluation. The Leadership Lackawanna Core Program Class of 2026–27 includes: • Emily Arcaro, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania • Nicole Ash, Aramark at the University of Scranton Catering Dept. • Alyssa Bartoli, Fidelity Bank • Rik Bhattacharyya, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company • Jonathan Brady, Fidelity Bank • Melissa Calachino, The Wright Center for Community Health • Dylan Cawley, Geisinger • Nicole Cesarini, Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA • Camille Dantone, Everhart Museum • Sean Dempsey, Alliance Wealth Advisors • Samantha Donahue, The Arc of NEPA • Brittany Dougherty, Penn State Scranton • Laura Dunn, Merrill Lynch • Angelina Elders, NBT Bank • Elizabeth Ephault, The Wright Center for Community Health • Kevin Farrell, Marywood University • Morgan Farrell, Geisinger College of Health Sciences • Kyle Frable, Benco Dental • Lauretta Graham, The Wright Center for Community Health • Claire Guarneri, Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. • Natasha Hazzouri, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education • Kristen Hoover, Maximus • Teresa Kalinay, Montage Mountain Resorts • Fletcher Kanas, Barry Callebaut • Curt Kromko, Prudential • Kim Lazuka, Greater Scranton YMCA • Kristen McGoff, Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. • Todd Monahan, Stone House Investment Management, LLC • Elisheva-Lydia MR, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania • Rich Mullen, Posture Interactive, LTD • Nicole Piccoletti, Outreach – Center for Community Resources • Theodor Radu, The Honesdale National Bank • Monica Reich, Penn East Federal Credit Union • Alondra Vazquez Rivera, Wells Fargo • Lewis Schweppenheiser, Penn East Federal Credit Union • Nicholas Sherman, Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center • Kelly Siekierka, Plaskolite Pennsylvania • Jeff Snyder, Allied Services • Anthony Walaitis, Plaskolite Pennsylvania
Prudential earns four awards at US Customer Experience Awards Prudential Financial, Inc. today announced that Just Ask, the generative AI tool built by its Individual Life Insurance business, has received four honors at the 2026 US Customer Experience Awards. The recognition places Just Ask among the country’s most decorated customer experience initiatives of the year. Just Ask was recognized in the following categories: Best Digital Transformation (Gold) Best Innovation in CX (Gold) Best Use of AI – Companies with Over 5,000 Employees (Gold) Best Business Change and Transformation (Silver) Now in its 11th year, the US Customer Experience Awards is the longest-standing celebration of customer excellence in the country, honoring organizations that put customers at the heart of their business. “Delivering for our customers is what we’re here to do, and Just Ask is one way we’re helping the financial professionals who serve them work more efficiently,” said Simon Berg, Individual Life Insurance technology business leader at Prudential. “Financial professionals play a critical role in helping people plan for their financial future and if we can help them get to the information they need faster, they can spend more time with the customers who are counting on them.” Just Ask was designed to help financial professionals get faster information about Prudential’s insurance products, underwriting quick quotes and new business forms. The tool was built in response to what Individual Life sales teams said they needed: one place to find the answers they use every day, without navigating multiple systems. Since it launched a few months ago, 85% of first-time users of Just Ask reported that the tool was helpful in answering their questions.1 In fact, most questions are answered in under 22 seconds, giving financial professionals more time back to focus on their clients.1 In addition, forms searches were the most common use, followed closely by underwriting quotes. The recognition from the US Customer Experience Awards follows Just Ask’s June honor as Celent’s Model Insurer of the Year for 2026, the top prize in the firm’s annual awards program.
Nicole Strauser – EMPOWER Conference Moderator Vice President, Beneficiary Fulfillment, Prudential Enabling Solutions Presentation Moderator: 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: Nicole Strauser, vice president, beneficiary fulfillment, has over 20 years of experience with Prudential. In her current role, Nicole is responsible for delivering final promises for group insurance, individual life insurance, annuities, and retirement customers. She has been focused on strengthening Prudential’s operational discipline and empowering associates via ideation and customer obsession to transform our customer experience. Prior to her current role, Nicole held various roles across Prudential’s retirement organization including the contact center, client services, and all back office operations from money in, money out, to complex record keeping. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marywood University. She is a Series 6, 99, and 26 registered principal. Nicole currently sits on the board for Leadership Northeast, a local non-profit focused on creating servant leaders in the community. Nicole also serves as the Prudential executive site lead for the Scranton office and the executive sponsor of the Scranton PRIDE BRG. GET TICKETS
