Nonprofit Leadership Program Welcomes New Cohort

The University of Scranton welcomed a new cohort of students into its Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program. Classes for the 13-month program, which seeks to develop future executives to serve area nonprofit institutions. Classes began in January 2025.

The University’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program, housed in the Kania School of Management, seeks to support and advance nonprofit organizations through a comprehensive and academically rigorous leadership program to develop future executives to serve at NEPA nonprofit institutions.

“The program was founded and has grown through a close collaboration between The University of Scranton’s faculty and community nonprofit leaders. This close connection to the community has resulted in significant and sustained positive outcomes,” said Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department at Scranton and director of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program and the University’s Ph.D. program.

Since the program’s inception in 2017, 68 nonprofit professionals from more than 50 regional organizations have graduated from the program.

“The program has created a network of high-performing individuals serving at nonprofit institutions, in addition to building an informal regional network of mentors and coaches for emerging nonprofit leaders,” said Kurt R. Bauman, co-director of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program and executive director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center.

“Courses for the program, taught in person by Kania School of Management faculty with significant expertise in practice and nonprofit organizations, include experiential learning, peer group work and coaching and mentorship components,” said Jesse J. Ergott, chief advancement officer for AllOne Foundation and Charities.

Members of the 2025 cohort of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program and the organizations they represent are:

Pam Anslinger, director of homeownership services, NeighborWorks NEPA;

Jessica Baab, philanthropic services coordinator, The Luzerne Foundation;

Jessica Freyne, executive director, Providence Pregnancy Center;

Rossanna Gabriel, executive director, Hazleton Integration Project, Inc.;

Heather Greene, business manager, Jewish Family Services;

Nicole Guzenski, director of programs, The Catherine McAuley Center;

Jennifer Hayes Housel, executive director, Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers;

Eileen Howells, designated institutional administrator, The Wright Center;

Tara B. Jones, executive director, Lackawanna River Conservation Association;

Alyse Kerr, executive director, Integrative Mind and Body;

Marianne Linko, deputy chief operating officer, The Wright Center for Community Health;

Amanda Masters, youth program manager, The Cooperage;

Christine S. Pirillo, DHA, senior director laboratory medicine, Geisinger Health System;

Dani Ruhf, chief executive officer and founder, Child Hunger Outreach Partners (CHOP);

Helen Schmid, president and chief executive officer, Telespond Senior Services;

Connor Simon, grants and outreach manager, Wayne County Community Foundation;

Rachael Stark, NEPA program coordinator, Pennsylvania Environmental Council;

Jill Avery Stoss, chief operating officer, The Institute;

Gina Suydam, executive director, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information, visit the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program webpage or call 570-941-4047.