• Complete and submit the online application below by April 15, 2025.
• Ask your supervisor/sponsoring administration to complete the separate Sponsor Agreement by April 15, 2025.
• Ask two references to complete and submit the separate Confidential Reference form by April 15, 2025.
• Submit a $75 application fee to the Leadership Northeast office. Applications will not be processed until the application fee is received. You may pay via credit card at the end of this application or you may send a check to the Leadership Northeast office at 4 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Please note that a 4% credit card fee applies for online payments. 
• Applicants will receive a confirmation email from Nicole Hurchick once the Leadership Northeast office has received all required materials for your application packet. Leadership Northeast will review applications on an ongoing basis. 
• Upon acceptance, complete the separate Participant Agreement by May 1, 2025 in order to confirm your place in the class.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Nicole Hurchick, Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations
Leadership Northeast
(570) 270-5323
nicole@leadershipnortheast.org

Leadership Northeast was founded in 1981 in response to the community’s need for a steady supply of leaders who are both familiar with the general structure of the community, its problems and issues, and are also capable of organizing and directing the efforts of others.  The Core program is designed to develop well-informed, motivated leaders who have the skills and commitment to work together to strengthen Northeastern Pennsylvania. 

Leadership Northeast seeks to develop informed and committed leaders from all segments of the community who will serve, strengthen and improve Northeastern Pennsylvania.

• Bring together current and emerging leaders representing a broad cross-section of the community: business, government, education, religion, the arts, minority groups, service, and community organization

• Assist participants in recognizing and developing their leadership skills
  
  

• Acquaint participants with community needs, resources, and other factors that influence the direction of Northeastern Pennsylvania
  
  
• Provide opportunities for a diverse group of individuals to interact with one another, with community leaders, and decision-makers
  
  
• Foster interest in volunteer community service by creating and implementing team projects that address needs in the community
  
  
• Stimulate a commitment and a responsibility to serve and strengthen our communities

Monthly sessions are held on the first Thursday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Opening Retreat is a mandatory two-day program held on September 11th and 12th, 2025. This is not an overnight session, however there is an evening commitment on the 11th. 

• Interest in serving the Northeastern Pennsylvania community through volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles or advocacy roles
  
  
• Ability to set and achieve personal goals resulting in a position in their career field that reflects significant achievement relative to age and experience
  
  
• A record of achievement in community activities that indicates a capacity for increased responsibility including positions of leadership in volunteer organizations

Tuition for the Leadership Northeast program is $2,500 and is due by July 1, 2025. This includes expenses to cover all materials, meals, a professional portrait, program and graduation expenses. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to participants who may not otherwise be able to afford tuition. If you need tuition assistance, please indicate in the application below. 

If an accepted applicant must withdraw from the program, the Leadership Northeast office must be notified on or before August 1, 2025. If notification is received by that time, the balance of the tuition will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after August 1, 2025.

Each year a maximum of 55 participants are selected.   The diversity of each Leadership class is carefully considered.  Given this factor and the limited class size, some highly qualified candidates are turned down each year.  We encourage applicants to re-apply should they not be accepted the first time. 

Monthly sessions are usually held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at a variety of locations throughout Luzerne County.  The two-day opening retreat is mandatory.  A commitment of personal time is also expected to work on Community Impact Projects that identify and fulfill a need within the community.

Participants that successfully complete the program will receive continuing education credits from Penn State University.

Chair
Terri Morgan, M&T Bank

First Vice Chair
Don Brominski, UGI

Second Vice Chair
Brian Stahl, Esq., Northpoint Development

Secretary/Treasurer
Melissa Wolf, CPA, Baker Tilly US, LLP

Executive Committee
Eric Bleiler, CPA, Eric J. Bleiler & Company LLC, and Dan Landesberg, Geisinger

• Phil Amend, One Source HR Solutions (Advisory Council Chair)
• John Augustine III, Penn's Northeast
• Robert Belza, Wilkes University
• Christie Bonnice, State Farm
• James Brogna, Allied Services
• Rebecca Brominski, Luzerne County Community College
• Chris Caleb, Benco Dental
• Kieran Casey, Esq., Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP
• Gerard Champi, Peoples Security Bank & Trust
• Bob Chepalonis, Martz Trailways
• Cassandra Coleman, America250PA
• Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Jack Jones, Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc.
• Jackie Kendzor, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
• Stacey Kile, Geisinger Health Plan
• Dan Kimbrough, Park Multimedia
• James Martin, Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame
• David Pedri, Esq. The Luzerne Foundation
• Jennifer Stull, Esq., PNC Bank
• Rachel Wiernusz, Community Bank, N.A.
• Carl Witkowski, III, Group Capital, LLC
• Jess Yurek, Diamond Trail Realty

The Community Impact project component of the Leadership Northeast experience is meant to serve several purposes. Classmates work together to design and execute a project that fulfills a community need. In doing so, participants utilize the leadership development skills they have learned throughout the year, while making a positive impact on their community.

Although Project Advisors provide guidance, these projects are participant-driven from beginning to end. Project teams brainstorm ideas at their first meeting and then work together to see it through.

Project teams are designed to make the process challenging. Participants must work through their differences of opinion, behavior and perspectives and find a common ground. Learning how to bring people together, despite these differences, in order accomplish something extraordinary is the true definition of Leadership.

Between the Core, Junior and Impact programs, Leadership Northeast participants complete upwards of 40 projects a year, collaborating with other nonprofits, schools, government and community organizations.  After 43 years in the business, the ripple effect of these projects is vast, and the lessons learned invaluable.

List the two people whom you have authorized to complete the required Confidential Reference Forms. Please note that you are responsible for contacting your references and requesting they complete the required paperwork.

Applications will not be processed until the $75 application fee is received. If you would like to pay via credit card, you can do so below. Please note that a 4% credit card processing fee will be applied. If you prefer to pay by check, please send to the Leadership Northeast office at 4 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.

You are about to submit your application for the Leadership Northeast Core Class of 2026. Please remember that your application will not be processed until the Leadership Northeast office receives:

- Electronic application completed by the participant.
- TWO Reference forms completed and submitted digitally by references as required.
- $75 application fee: Pay online or mail check to Leadership Northeast office at 4 Public Square,       Wilkes- Barre, PA 18701.

You will receive a confirmation email from Nicole Hurchick once the Leadership Northeast office has received all required materials for your application packet.