Described by participants as "the best professional development available for educators today," Impact: Leadership in Education connects the region's education professionals for a series of interactive sessions designed to empower teachers to be progressive agents of positive change within schools. Impact combines the best of Leadership Northeast's nationally award winning Core program with the intricate needs of local education. Impact participants will:

• Build leadership skills needed to adapt and thrive in challenging environments and to improve school cultures and educational outcomes
• Bridge the gaps between business and education to better understand workforce needs
• Learn about personal communication and leadership styles
• Engage in an analysis of the public education system and develop an awareness of the community at large
• Connect with an accomplished group of civic leaders from the field of education, government and private sectors
• Network within a learning community of educators representing seventeen public and private school districts
• Successfully complete a School Impact Project
• Earn up to 90 ACT 48 hours!

 

Learn more about Leadership Northeast and the Impact Program at www.leadershipnortheast.org. 

• Impact participants must be classroom teaching professionals (and/or guidance counselors) who provide direct instruction and have been teaching a minimum of three years as of September 2026.
  
  
• Participants must have the support of their principal and/or administration.

 

• Complete the application below.
  
  
• Complete the separate Sponsor Agreement (must be signed by the sponsoring administration).
  
  
• Upon acceptance, complete the separate Participant Agreement to confirm your place in the class.
  
  
• A $150 Materials Fee will be required (upon acceptance) to participate in the 2026/2027 Impact Program.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Jessica Cronauer, Executive Director
Leadership Northeast
(570) 270-5323
jessica@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. 

In 2015, Impact: Leadership in Education was launched to offer local education systems the same leadership development opportunities, and to bridge the gap between business and education. Impact is designed to empower educators from 17 districts through leadership skill development, business-education connection, community awareness, and inter-district networking. Leadership Northeast is a private, non–sectarian, non–profit organization.

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

• Connect current and emerging educators representing a broad cross-section of the community
• Develop leadership skills.
• Connect business and education.
• Discuss concerns and challenges of the education system and our community, and seek solutions and the resources available.
• Create and implement Impact projects that address needs within school districts.
• Stimulate a commitment and a responsibility to serve and strengthen our communities.
• Build a network of community trustees through class participation and networking among districts.

Individuals interested in becoming a member of the Impact: Leadership in Education program should submit a completed application to the Leadership Northeast office. Applicants must have the support of their district and their administration. Applicants will be notified in writing of their acceptance.

• Participants must be classroom teaching professionals who provide direct instruction, serve as guidance counselors, and have been teaching a minimum of three years
• Ability to set and achieve personal goals resulting in a position in their career field that reflects significant achievement relative to age and experience; and
• A record of participation that indicates a capacity for increased responsibility including positions of leadership

Date	Session Topic	Venue
August 26, 2026	Program Overview	Pittston Library
September 17, 2026	Opening Program	THINK Center and Kirby Park
October 15, 2026	Effective Communication for Leaders	Misericordia University
November 17, 2026	Logic Study: PA Dept. of Education	Capitol Building, Harrisburg
December 8, 2026	Creativity in Leadership	Mohegan Arena
January 21, 2027	Perceptions of Your Community	Benco Dental
February 18, 2027	Collaboration & Community Partnerships	Luzerne County Head Start & the Weinberg Food Bank
March 11, 2027	Workforce & Culture Program	Pride Mobility
April 13, 2027	Purpose & Perspective Program	Pittston Memorial Library
May 11, 2027	Closing Program and Graduation	The Westmoreland Club
June 3, 2027	LNE Annual Dinner	The Woodlands

Each year a maximum of 30 participants from participating school districts 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 8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a variety of locations throughout Luzerne County.  The opening program is mandatory.  Program packets are designed to provide participants with background information relating to each topic. A commitment of personal time is also expected to work on School Impact Projects that identify and fulfill a need within the participant’s school district.

Up to 90 Act 48 hours are available for each participant if required criteria is met.

Chair
Don Brominski, UGI

First Vice Chair
Dan Landesberg, Geisinger

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, CPA & Co., LLC,  and C. David Pedri, Esq., The Luzerne Foundation

• Phil Amend, One Source HR Solutions (Advisory Council Chair)
• John Augustine III, Penn's Northeast
• Robert Belza, Wilkes University
• Eric Bleiler, Eric J. Bleiler, CPA & Co., LLC
• Christie Bonnice, State Farm
• James Brogna, Allied Services
• Don Brominski, UGI, Chairman
• Rebecca Brominski, Community Volunteer
• 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, First Keystone Community Bank
• Jackie Kendzor, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies
• Stacey Kile, Geisinger Health Plan
• Dan Kimbrough, Park Multimedia
• James Martin, Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame
• Terri Morgan, M&T Bank
• Jennifer Stull, Esq., PNC Bank
• Rachel Wiernusz, Community Bank, N.A.
• Carl Witkowski, III, Presidio Insurance
• Jess Yurek, Diamond Trail Realty

Impact participants are required to successfully develop and complete a School Impact Project (SIP). Participants will identify an area of need within their school, develop, and then implement a solution. The SIP will serve as a practical application of the skills and tools learned throughout the program year. The results of your project will be shared at Impact's final session in May, 2027. Examples of SIPs include: mentor programs, guest speaker initiatives, art awareness projects, literacy programs, infrastructure improvement projects, etc.