Dress for Success Luzerne County Women in Power: Holly Pilcavage

Holly Pilcavage is the Vice President of Enrollment, Student Success, and Institutional Advancement at Luzerne County Community College, where she works to expand opportunity and strengthen connections between education, workforce, and community.

Her career has been defined by a commitment to helping people and organizations grow, align with their purpose, and create meaningful impact. She is also deeply engaged in regional leadership and service, serving as Board Chair of Dress for Success Luzerne County and Board Chair of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Her leadership is rooted in the belief that progress happens when people choose to give through mentorship, opportunity, and advocacy. By investing in others, Holly strives to help strengthen her community while encouraging others to step forward and create positive change.

The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is “Give to Gain”. In your experience, how has giving, whether through leadership, mentorship, service, or advocacy, led to personal or professional growth? 

For much of my career, I thought growth came from achieving, whether it be the promotion, the title, or the milestone. But what I’ve learned over time is that my deepest growth has come from giving.

Whether it’s mentoring a young professional navigating their first leadership role, helping a student access resources they didn’t know existed, or serving in community leadership roles, giving has expanded me. It’s sharpened my empathy. It’s forced me to listen more closely. It’s reminded me that leadership is less about being the one with answers and more about being the one willing to show up.

Ironically, the more I’ve poured into others, the more clarity I’ve gained about who I am and what matters to me. Giving hasn’t depleted me. It has refined me.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, what does this milestone mean to you as a woman leader today? How do you see your work contributing to progress for future generations of women?

Two hundred and fifty years is a reminder that progress is both slow and hard-earned. As a woman leader today, I’m acutely aware that I’m standing on the shoulders of women who pushed for access, equity, and opportunity long before I ever stepped into a boardroom.

To me, this milestone isn’t just about celebrating the past but it’s about asking what we are building now. When we invest in women’s advancement, whether through scholarships, mentorship, or workplace culture, we change the trajectory of families and communities.

I may not see the full impact of that work in my lifetime, but I hope future generations of women feel less alone, less limited, and more empowered to lead boldly.

In what ways have you supported, uplifted, or invested in other women in your workplace or community? Why is this kind of intentional support important right now?

I’ve tried to be intentional about pulling women into rooms, not just cheering them on from the sidelines.That has looked like elevating women’s voices through campaigns and events, nominating women for leadership opportunities, mentoring emerging professionals, and creating platforms where women can share their stories and expertise.

It has also meant something quieter, but just as important: being honest about my own struggles so others know leadership doesn’t require perfection. Right now, intentional support matters because the pressure to perform and “hold it all together” is immense. When women advocate for each other, recommend each other, and normalize growth through imperfection, we create cultures where ambition and humanity can coexist.

Community is not accidental. It’s built.

What challenges or barriers have shaped your leadership journey, and how did those experiences influence the way you give back today?

My leadership journey hasn’t been linear. I’ve navigated anxiety, self-doubt, and the persistent feeling of “being in trouble” or not doing enough even in moments of visible success. I’ve also made bold transitions, including leaving a role I held for more than eight years to step into something more aligned with who I was becoming.

Those experiences taught me that resilience isn’t about powering through; it’s about self-awareness and healing. They taught me that titles don’t define you and that alignment does.

Because of that, I lead differently now. I’m more compassionate with others in seasons of transition. I’m more willing to name the hard things. And I’m deeply committed to creating environments where people, especially women, feel safe to grow, stretch, and redefine success on their own terms.

What advice would you offer to women who are striving to grow, lead, or create change in their own lives or communities?

First, redefine growth for yourself. Growth doesn’t always look like climbing. Sometimes it looks like stepping away, healing, starting over, or building something entirely new.

Second, don’t wait until you feel ready. Confidence often follows action, not the other way around.

Third, find your people. Leadership can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Seek mentors, peers, and friends who challenge you and remind you who you are when you forget.

And finally, give. Give your time, your wisdom, your platform, your encouragement. Not because it’s expected, but because when you invest in others, you strengthen the ecosystem you’re part of. The return may not be immediate, but it is always transformative.