Wilkes-Barre Connect

2023 Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference - Education and Workforce Development with Zubeen Saeed and Susan Magnotta

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast Zubeen Saeed and Susan Magnotta lead a discussion on workforce development and education in Northeast Pennsylvania. The conversation includes local professionals and covers career exploration, pathways to education, and opportunities to get students exposed to different careers at an early age.
 
Show Notes - 
Junior Achievement is focusing on career exploration and workforce development programs for K-12 students through initiatives like Inspire and YES. They are expanding these programs to more districts in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. For more information - https://nepa.ja.org/
 
Building Blocks Learning Center is working on partnerships with local colleges and high schools to create workforce labs and give students hands-on experiences in different fields. For more information - https://buildingblockslearningcenter.com/
 
To learn more about Wilkes-Barre Connect - https://wyomingvalleychamber.org/wilkes-barre-connect/
 

2023 Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference - Housing Support with Maryanne Velez and Vivian Williams

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we hear from Maryanne Velez from the United NEPA Alliance and Vivian Williams from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.  They discuss data on rising rents and the lack of affordable housing options. We also hear from college students and young professionals discussing concerns about remaining in the area after graduation.
Solutions, such as community needs for living wages, wraparound support services, and career opportunities beyond warehouses are addressed. Maryanne and Vivian also discuss partnerships between nonprofits, unions, and schools as ways to promote skilled trades and long-term housing stability. Key takeaways include:
The impact of the pandemic on the real estate market,
importance of a "housing first" approach, 
strategies to rebuild the middle class.
To learn more about the Scranton Area Foundation - https://safdn.org/
To learn more about UNA - https://www.unacorp.org/
To learn more about Wilkes-Barre Connect - https://wyomingvalleychamber.org/wilkes-barre-connect/

2023 Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference - Foundational Support with Dave Pedri and Maggie Martinelli

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we hear from Dave Pedri and Maggie Martinelli from the Luzerne Foundation and the Scranton Area Foundations, respectively. This conversation is a live panel discussion from the 2023 Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference. Maggie and Dave share how each foundation can work with individuals or nonprofits looking to do good in the community, but coming up against roadblocks. 
We also learned about some community resources to help raise awareness for your non-profit and hear the live Q&A from the audience. 
To learn more about the Scranton Area Foundation - https://safdn.org/
To learn more about the Luzerne Foundation - https://www.luzfdn.org/
To learn more about Wilkes-Barre Connect - https://wyomingvalleychamber.org/wilkes-barre-connect/

2023 LEAD Day - Advocacy w/Luzerne County Council Chair Kendra Vough and Mayor Max Conway

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we sit with Kendra Vogue, chair of Luzerne County Council, and Max Conway, mayor of Dunmore Borough, and learn about how they got their start in politics and what barriers young professionals may face here in Northeast PA. Both encourage listeners to reach out to local leaders with their ideas and offer ways to get involved through various boards and committees.
 We also discuss challenges like affordable housing and retaining young residents, as well as making communities more inclusive and vibrant for diverse populations. 
To learn more about Mayor Max Conway and his work in Dunmore Borough - https://dunmorepa.gov/office-of-the-mayor/
To learn more about Kendra Voght and the Luzerne County Council - https://www.luzernecounty.org/directory.aspx?EID=539
To learn more about Wilkes-Barre Connect - https://wyomingvalleychamber.org/wilkes-barre-connect/
 

2023 LEAD Day -Mayor Paige Cognetti and DEI

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast we sit down with Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti about the city of Scranton and their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Mayor Cognetti discusses how she has worked to increase representation in city leadership and hiring through merit-based practices. She also walks through some of the challenges of implementing DEI initiatives in a politically polarized environment and the importance of advocacy from community members.
The mayor offers advice to those looking to get involved in local government and pushes back against the divisiveness that prevents communities from coming together.
To learn more about the Mayor and her office - https://scrantonpa.gov/your-government/mayor/about-the/
To learn more about Wilkes-Barre Connect - https://wyomingvalleychamber.org/wilkes-barre-connect/
 

2020 Annual Dinner - Charitable Organization if the Year

Join the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber as we talk to our 2020 Charitable Organization of the Year Award recipient,  Osterhout Free Library, about the great work the do for our community. 

2020 Annual Dinner - Diversity Champion Business of the Year

Join the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber as we talk to our 2020 Diversity Champion Business of the Year Award recipient,  PNC Bank, about their diversity, equity, and inclusion work

Episode 18 - Connect Conference - Cassandra Coleman

Cassandra, the executive director of America250PA, discusses the goal and purpose of the project. Cassandra also talks about the "meeting in a basement in Wilkes-Barre" that sparked the Direct Effect Challenge with state universities and the US Postal Service. 

Episode 17 - Connect Conference - Victoria Stephen and Heather Snead

Victoria and Heather talk with us about innovation and the United States Postal Service. Recently, the USPS has taken on the goal of reaching and impacting the next generation and make sure direct mail is included in marketing efforts, not just digital avenues. This includes direct effect challenges like the one wrapping up at the conference. 

Episode 16 - Connect Conference - Pitch Participants

This episode focuses on the Pitch participants that presented during the conference. StudioBE, SchoooldxFrugal Athlete, and American Paper Bag all talk about their story and beginnings, passions, and the impact their product or service has.