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February 12, 2025
Beyond The Mission Statement: Leadership Northeast
Since 1981, Leadership Northeast has developed leaders through hands-on learning and community projects. The Core Leadership Program builds skills through immersive experiences and real-world initiatives.
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In our quest to build NEPA’s most comprehensive nonprofit directory, we discovered hundreds of incredible organizations. We’re eager to share their inspiring stories.

In this series, we spotlight hardworking organizations, dedicated volunteers, and compassionate individuals who make a difference. We hope these stories inspire you to join us with your time, hands, and hearts. Follow along as we delve beyond the mission statement.

Core Program aims to improve NEPA one inspiring project at a time

Since its inception in 1981, Leadership Northeast has been molding young leaders and developing strong ties between local leadership and the community. For over 40 years, the nonprofit organization has committed itself to promoting and proliferating the exceptional quality of life in Greater Wilkes-Barre and Northeastern Pennsylvania at large.

Through six dynamic programs, Leadership Northeast has consistently spurred the public, local business and industry and the nonprofit sector into meaningful action. To date, over 3,000 participants have graduated from Leadership’s programs. And many in their vast, yet close knit alumni network now run their own businesses. Some have launched nonprofits or climbed to influential leadership positions. A few have even been elected to local political offices.

Building Strong Leaders For A Better Community

Eight people, including 5 Leadership Northeast participants, stand behind a dolly loaded with moving boxes and bags, holding a sign that reads "New Books on the Block Leadership Northeast".
Core Leadership Team, “New Books On The Block” collected over 35,000 books to donate.

Leadership Northeast offers a range of programs designed to cultivate strong, community-focused leaders across different age groups and professional backgrounds. The Core Leadership program is a nine-month experience for adult professionals, focusing on leadership skills, networking and community engagement through hands-on learning and impact projects. Impact Leadership in Education is tailored for K-12 educators, equipping them with leadership tools and strategies to drive positive change in their schools while earning Act 48 credits. Junior Leadership introduces high school juniors to leadership principles, community issues and local leaders, fostering civic responsibility and personal growth.

For professionals seeking a deeper connection to the region, Executive Leadership provides an accelerated six-week orientation, introducing transplants and established executives to key community leaders and local industries. Amplify Leadership, a women’s leadership certificate program, empowers women in the workforce through professional development, mentorship and networking. Throughout these programs, participants engage in Community Impact Projects, applying their skills to real-world initiatives that address local challenges and create lasting change in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Small Groups, Hard Work and Big Ideas

Members of Leadership Northeast's Core Program are gathered around a table, assembling red gift bags with baseball jerseys on the front.
Northeast Leadership Core Program participants meet to work on a fundraising project for their nonprofit.

The foundation of this remarkably successful organization is the Leadership Core Program. Every September, after a summer-long selection process, the Core Program begins anew. An eager group of 50 local professionals comes together for what will be nine life-changing months. They come from a wide array of backgrounds, interests and occupations. Some descend from the rural reaches of NEPA – others, from nearby cities and suburbs. By the time they’ve reached the end of the 2-day opening program, however, their focus is singular – improving quality of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The larger group is sectioned into several, smaller project teams. Each team identifies a specific community need and designs a plan to address it. Throughout the ensuing months, teams organize fundraising events, collaborate with nonprofit organizations, develop working relationships with local businesses and meet myriad challenges thrown their way.

In the end, they’ve worked together, overcome differences, celebrated strengths and built something that transcends the program. Each Community Impact Project raises awareness, meets a community need and echoes through the region with resounding positivity.

Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 2/25/20.