Scranton Area Community Foundation Co-Hosting Child Care Presentation

Women in Philanthropy (the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation focused on serving women, girls, and their families in Northeastern PA) and The Agency for Community Empowerment (ACE) are hosting a presentation on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. regarding a recent regional study on the obstacles women and families face today regarding attaining quality affordable childcare, conducted in collaboration with Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). This event will be held in-person and virtually and will share the study’s findings while inviting a discussion on opportunities for community-based solutions that minimize the barriers to quality affordable childcare.

In-person attendance is limited but there is no cap on the number of attendees participating virtually.

What: Child Care Needs and Barriers to Access Report/Presentation
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: University of Scranton, Brennan Hall, PNC Bank Board Room (320 Madison Ave., Scranton, PA 18510)

Attendees can register to attend here: https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/event?event_date_id=2221

Women in Philanthropy and the Scranton Area Community Foundation are interested in addressing the challenges families face in obtaining quality affordable childcare across the Lackawanna County region.

Nominate Local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leaders

For Diversity month, our chamber, in partnership with our regional chambers, are highlighting leaders locally who are involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion causes and initiatives in our community.

We are currently accepting nominations for individuals to be a part of this campaign, which will include a blog post highlighting the individual, as well as a graphic piece of the individual to be shared across our social media platforms throughout the month of April.

This campaign will begin on April 4th and run M-F until April 31st.

Nominations will be open until March 29th. 

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE

Peoples Financial Services Corp. Announces New Board Member

Peoples Financial Services Corp., the holding company for Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elisa (Lisa) Zúñiga Ramirez to its Board of Directors. As a result of Ms. Ramirez’s appointment, the Board of Directors was increased from seven members to eight members. 

Ms. Ramirez brings more than 30 years of executive-level experience in institutional investing and capital markets with a proven track record of value creation. Until her retirement in 2020, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Principal at Segal Bryant and Hamill, an employee-owned money manager with more than $25 billion in assets under management. Prior to this, she was Senior Portfolio Manager and Partner at Denver Investments LLC, which was acquired by Segal Bryant and Hamill in 2018. Currently, Ms. Ramirez is the President of Éxito Consulting, LLC, which advises boards, companies and individuals on corporate strategy, ESG and financial matters.

Lisa is currently a corporate director for Bow River Capital, a $1.6 billion private equity firm and the Denver Employees Retirement Plan, a $2.7 billion public retirement system serving the city of Denver employees and retirees. She is also a director on these non-profits: National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Colorado Chapter; The Denver Foundation; Vuela for Health; and Latinas First Foundation, a scholarship and mentorship program supportive of Colorado Latinas.

Ms. Ramirez earned her BSBA from the University of Colorado at Denver and an MBA from Regis University, Denver, CO. She’s a 2021 graduate of Boardbound by Women’s Leadership Foundation, a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds the SASB FSA credential. She’s also an avid supporter of organizations that empower women and stimulate equality and representation in the workplace, as well as foster professional leadership development, including: The Athena Alliance; Latino Corporate Directors Association; Women Corporate Directors; NACD; and Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB).

Ms. Ramirez commented, “I am excited to be joining the board of such a strong and well-run bank, and look forward to bringing a unique outside perspective to drive stakeholder value. I’m impressed by our bank, our leadership and I feel there is an incredible story to tell. I look forward to bringing my 30 years of investment experience to the table and collaborating with our other impressive and experienced board members.”

Regarding Ms. Ramirez’s appointment, William Aubrey, Chairman of Peoples Financial Services Corp.’s board stated, “We are excited to have a person of Lisa’s qualifications and experience join our board. Her capital market experience in analyzing hundreds of small cap companies allows her to bring a long history of value creation to our board. I look forward to working with her to improve shareholder’s value.”

Lisa resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband, Ron, and their twin boys, Román and Mason.

Jamie Shnipes Promoted to Branch Supervisor at HNB

Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Jamie Shnipes has been promoted to Branch Supervisor of HNB’s Eynon Office.

In making the announcement, Sheridan stated, “Jamie began her banking career at HNB with the opening of our Eynon Office.” He continued,  “We are confident that her knowledge of the local community, and dedication to customer service, will insure success in her new position.”

As Branch Supervisor, Shnipes will be responsible for building customer relationships to help customers with their specific banking needs, as well as supporting the everyday operations of the branch.

Shnipes began her career in the financial industry in 2013 as a Part-time Teller/CSR at HNB. In 2018 she accepted a fulltime position at the bank. She will continue growing her Career as Branch Supervisor of our Eynon Office.

In commenting on her time at the bank, Shnipes noted, “I feel like I have the confidence and the support to grow my career with HNB. I met a lot of great people over the years and I enjoy meeting new people and helping them with their banking needs.”

Shnipes resides in Eynon, Pa. and is a graduate of Valley View High School. Outside of the bank, she enjoys being with family, either attending her children’s sports or spending time at their camper.

Dress for Success Lackawanna Women Making an Impact Campaign

Dress for Success Lackawanna is celebrating Women’s History month with the “Your Hour Her Power” Women Making an Impact campaign. This is the inaugural year for the campaign which benefits Dress for Success Lackawanna.

“The Your Hour Her Power campaign is built on lifting women up and recognizing their achievements,” said Mary Ann Iezzi, Executive Director. “Women play an important role in the economy there is a ripple effect that occurs when women are supported and have the ability to become active members of their community.”

The “Your Hour Her Power” campaign continues through the month of March and will close with a special event in April honoring ten remarkable women throughout the organizations six county footprint. 

“We have some extraordinary women in our community and the event gives us the opportunity celebrate all the wonderful things they have accomplished along with the impact they have in their communities,” Iezzi said. 

All proceeds raised go to Dress for Success Lackawanna supporting the agencies programs helping women secure employment and achieve economic independence.

Dress for Success Lackawanna is very grateful for all the community support and would like to acknowledge the sponsors of the campaign:

  • Presenting Sponsor: NBT Bank
  • Sponsors: Bluelefante, The Hawk Family Foundation, Weinberg Foundation, Lackawanna Medical Group, Scranton Area Community Foundation, Women In Philanthropy, Wayne County Community Foundation
  • Honoree Sponsors: NBT Bank, McGrail Merkel Quinn PC, FNCB Bank, LMG Cosmetics, NET Bank, AAA North Penn, Wayne Memorial Health System, The Honesdale National Bank, The University of Scranton, The Wright Center, Friends of Sandra Lamanna
  • Media Sponsors: WNEP, Adams Outdoor, King Outdoor and Lamar Advertising

The Woman Making an Impact Honorees:

  • Amanda Grippo, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner:  LMG Cosmetics                            
  • Bethany Fine, Director of Human Resources:  Wayne Memorial Health System                    
  • Cindy Smaniotto, Chief Human Resources Officer:  NBT Bank                      
  • Dr. Sandra Lamanna: School Psychologist                            
  • Julie Schumacher Cohen, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement & Government Affairs: The University of Scranton                
  • Kate Bryant, SVP, CFO:  The Honesdale National Bank                    
  • Margaret McCormick, Chief Financial Officer:  AAA North Penn                  
  • Mary Griffin Cummings, Executive Vice President and General Counsel:  FNCB Bank              
  • Mary Rapach, Member Service Center Manager:  NET Credit Union                         
  • Stephanie Mihal, Partner:  McGrail Merkel Quinn, PC      

Event Details: hybrid event (in-person & virtual option)

  • More details on the event can be found at https://IMPACT22.givesmart.com.
  • What: “Women Making an Impact”
  • Location: Hilton Hotel & Conference Center
  • Date:  Wednesday, April 6, 2022
  • Time:  5:30 p.m.– 7:00 p.m.
  • Ticket cost:  $50.00

The Wright Center Achieves 100% Match for Regional Residencies

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed 58 new resident physicians into its four regional residencies after achieving a 100% match on national Match Day for newly minted doctors.

The National Resident Matching Program’s Match Day is one of the most important events and competitive processes in the medical school experience. On the third Friday of March each year, fourth-year medical students, as well as their graduate medical education programs, learn where they will complete the next stage of their medical training.

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education matched residents in the following regional programs: Internal Medicine Residency (34); Regional Family Medicine Residency (12); Psychiatry Residency (7), and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5) – the newest training program. Resident physicians will begin their first-year residencies on July 1.

The National Family Medicine Residency has filled its resident physician positions at the Tucson, Arizona (4); Auburn, Washington (4); Washington, D.C., and Hillsboro, Ohio (3) training sites.

The incoming first-year residents for the five residencies hail from eight countries, including Canada (11), Egypt (1), India (12), Nepal (4), Pakistan (6), Philippines (1), Saudi Arabia (1) and the United States (39). Overall, The Wright Center received 5,744 applications and interviewed 877 candidates for the available slots in the five residencies.

“It is with great excitement that I congratulate and welcome each of our new resident physicians to our learning and clinical communities. I look forward to working closely with each of you during your journey in postgraduate medical education,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, the designated institution official at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “Your residency is a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience that only you and your peers can understand. You have plenty to be proud of as your persistence, passion and dedication to the field have earned you this opportunity.”

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education was founded in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, a community-based internal medicine residency. Today, it educates and trains more than 220 resident physicians and fellows annually through a unique Graduate Medical Education and Safety Net Consortium, which is funded by federal agencies and supported by multiple health care organizations that provide learning environments. The organization also offers fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology and geriatrics.

Last year, The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education matched 69 resident physicians in the Internal Medicine (35), Regional Family Medicine (12), National Family Medicine (17) and Psychiatry (5) residencies.