Leadership Centre County’s vision is for a vibrant community built upon robust servant leadership.

What We Do

Leadership Centre County is a community leadership development organization. We have been creating leaders qualified to serve since 1991. Our mission is to educate participants about the needs, available services, strengths, opportunities, and current issues in our community. Our overall goal is to increase the leadership pool within the county with folks who are well informed, networked, and qualified to lead. We accomplish this goal through our Community Leadership Program and signature events.

What We Believe

We believe that when individuals in a community have the right tools, their impact on that community is exponentially greater. Our goal is to transform ordinary citizens into extraordinary civic leaders through routine, strategic, and systematic programs and workshops designed to help individuals contribute to a thriving community. We believe that effective leaders improve the quality of life for their communities. We work to cultivate leadership through the dynamic exchange of information, resources, and networking.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Leadership Centre County is to increase the community’s pool of servant leaders by bringing diverse individuals together for networking, education, and exposure to community issues, opportunities, and needs; encouraging increased participation for leadership in civic service; and creating a support network for present and future leaders.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Leadership Centre County is to increase the community’s pool of servant leaders by bringing diverse individuals together for networking, education, and exposure to community issues, opportunities, and needs; encouraging increased participation for leadership in civic service; and creating a support network for present and future leaders.

History

Leadership Centre County was founded in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the development of qualified leaders within the community. The establishment of the organization was a cooperative effort of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce, the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership, and the Pennsylvania State University. The first class began in September 1992 and graduated the following May.

Leadership Centre County is a self-sustaining organization governed by a board of directors. It is one of more than hundreds of similar programs across the country. Since its founding, the program has graduated 1,091 class members from its flagship Community Leadership Program who now serve as volunteers, committee chairs, and board members of more than 600 Centre County organizations.

The evolution of Leadership Centre County’s logo through the years.

Who We Are

STAFF

Kealy Daye (Class of 2022)

Executive Director

Kealy holds a Master’s of Public Administration and certificate of Nonprofit Management from Villanova University, as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Lock Haven University. Kealy is an experienced nonprofit professional and spent 2018 to 2023 as the program director of Krislund Camp and Conference Center. She has also been named a “2022 Signature Leaders Under 30” honoree and is a certified instructor through the American Red Cross. As executive director of Leadership Centre County, Kealy most looks forward to catalyzing change through service to others.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Catherine Alloway  (Class of 2011)
Schlow Centre Region Library
Retired

A. Christian Baum  (Class of 2018)
A Christian Baum LLC
Entrepreneur

Amy Caputo (Class of 2013)
Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
Marketing Communications Specialist

Ann Echols  (Class of 2010)
Volunteer Centre County
Executive Director

Bruce Ellis  (Class of 2011)
The Pennsylvania State University
Retired

Ronald S. Haring
Lifetime Emeritus Director
Northwest Bank, Retired

Lisa Harrington  (Class of 2016)
Foxdale Village
Director of Residency Planning/Marketing

Tiffany King  (Class of 2020)
Blackhawk Energy
Controller

Cindy Kolarik
The Jared Box Project
Executive Director

Leanne Lenz  (Class of 2007)
The Pennsylvania State University
Associate Director, Student Care & Advocacy Office

Jeannine Lozier (Class of 2012)
Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
Vice President of Membership Engagement

Denise McCann  (Class of 2012)
Centre Helps
Executive Director

Pam Richards-Visnovsky  (Class of 2011)
The Pennsylvania State University
Retired

Lisa Schroeder  (Class of 2007)
Kissinger Bigatel & Brower REALTORS
Realtor

Tara Shaffer  (Class of 2018)
AmeriServ Financial
Senior Vice President

Denise Sullivan  (Class of 2022)
Sullivan Point Strategies
Founder and CEO