Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
Mary McDermott, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce (SUBMITTED)
Emily Pettinato, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce (SUBMITTED)
Chamber leadership announced the promotion of Mary McDermott to IGNITE program manager. IGNITE is the chamber’s flagship entrepreneurship and business incubator program, dedicated to growing businesses and creating jobs in Lackawanna County.
McDermott, who began her journey with IGNITE as an intern in 2022, brings a wealth of experience in program development, grant writing and entrepreneurial support to her new role.
As the IGNITE program manager, McDermott will oversee all aspects of IGNITE, including programmatic management, mentorship development, funding strategies, marketing initiatives and special events. She will also provide direct business and technical support to IGNITE clients, offering resources such as business plan development, workforce connections and funding opportunities.
McDermott is a graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business marketing in 2022. Since joining the chamber, she has advanced through key roles, including workforce and leadership assistant and IGNITE program specialist and grant writer, gaining extensive experience in program coordination, client relations and entrepreneurial development.
Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist, has been selected for the 2025–2026 Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Fellowship for Talent Development, a prestigious six-month program that empowers chamber professionals to strengthen their communities’ workforce pipelines.
The fellowship, hosted by ACCE, brings together chamber leaders from across the country to address pressing workforce challenges. Over the six months, fellows engage in monthly webinars, participate in an in-person convening, and collaborate with national peers to design a regional action plan. The program blends national best practices with local strategies to help chambers connect businesses, educators and job seekers, ensuring long-term economic growth.
As part of her role, Pettinato develops and manages workforce development initiatives that strengthen business education partnerships and promote career pathway awareness. She leads key programs such as Educator in the Workplace, Career Pathways Resources, the annual Workforce Summit and the Small Business Internship Fund, which connect educators, employers and students to enhance career readiness and regional talent pipeline development.
Lackawanna Blind Association
Jasu Acharya, Lackawanna Blind Association (SUBMITTED)
Nicholas Gianuzzi, Lackawanna Blind Association SUBMITTED)
Stephanie Longo, Lackawanna Blind Association (SUBMITTED)
The association welcomed three new members to its board of directors.
Jasu Acharya is the vice president and branch manager IV at Community Bank NA, where she is dedicated to helping customers and businesses grow and succeed through strong relationships and expert financial guidance. Acharya holds an MBA from Wilkes University and an undergraduate degree from Penn State University. Additionally, she is an alumna of Leadership Lackawanna. Outside of work, Acharya enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family. She is honored to serve the community as a board member of the association, supporting efforts to empower individuals with vision impairments.
Nick Gianuzzi is vice president and trust officer with Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. He has over 35 years of banking experience and has been with Peoples Security since 2001. Gianuzzi has been active in the community through the years, currently serving as board chair for St. Mary’s Villa. He is a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Scranton as well as the Scranton Kiwanis Foundation. Gianuzzi resides in Clarks Summit.
Dr. Stephanie Longo is a 2003 graduate of the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern languages — Italian and French. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Scranton, as well as a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Regent University. Longo received her Doctorate of Strategic Communication from Regent University in 2024 and is currently an assistant professor of corporate communication at Penn State Scranton, where she is also the adviser of the Alpha Epsilon Rho honor society and a faculty mentor for the Tri-Alpha honor society. Longo has written three books on Northeast Pennsylvania’s Italian American history, “Italians of Northeastern Pennsylvania” (2004), “Dunmore” (2012) and “Italians of Lackawanna County” (2018). She resides in Dunmore.
Scranton Area Community Foundation
Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation (SUBMITTED)
Brittany Pagnotti, Scranton Area Community Foundation (SUBMITTED)
The foundation announced that its president and CEO, Laura Ducceschi, has been selected to participate in the 2025–26 cohort of the Executive Leadership Institute for CEOs, a national program convened by CFLeads, the country’s premier network of community foundations.
The Executive Leadership Institute for CEOs is designed to strengthen the strategic leadership of community foundation executives nationwide. Participants engage in intensive peer learning, reflection and collaboration to advance bold, equity-centered and community-driven approaches to philanthropy.
Through the program, Ducceschi will join CEOs from community foundations across the United States to explore emerging challenges, share innovative practices and strengthen the collective impact of philanthropy in local communities.
Brittany Pagnotti, MBA, CAP, CFRE, director of donor relations and communications, has earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation from the American College of Financial Services and has also been recertified as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by CFRE International.
The CAP designation provides advanced training in philanthropic planning, charitable gift techniques and legacy strategies, preparing professionals to help donors align their charitable goals with estate and financial planning objectives. By earning this designation, Pagnotti joins a distinguished group of professionals worldwide who are uniquely equipped to help individuals and families create meaningful and lasting impact through philanthropy.
The CFRE credential is the only globally recognized, accredited certification for fundraising professionals and reflects a high standard of ethics, knowledge and leadership in fundraising. Pagnotti has held the CFRE certification since 2020 and continues to demonstrate her dedication to advancing ethical, effective philanthropy in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Pagnotti has been with the foundation since 2018. In her current role, she leads philanthropic communications, donor stewardship and strategic initiatives that inspire charitable giving across Northeast Pennsylvania. She holds a Master of Business Administration and brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit communications and development.
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser announced that Riley Pingree has rejoined his staff as his communications director.
Before returning to the office, Pingree served as communications director for U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Prior to that, she served as press assistant and later press secretary for Meuser. A native of North Carolina, Pingree earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022.
Michelle Stock Mattus, who continues to serve as press secretary and digital director, will support the communications team and assist with day-to-day messaging and press efforts on behalf of Meuser and the constituents of Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District.