Leadership Susquehanna Valley

06/10/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Gloria Lopez

Gloria is eager to grow as a leader and become more engaged in her community through LSV.

Why did you choose to participate in LSV?
I choose to participate in LSV to grow as a leader and expand my understanding of our community. I believe I was chosen because of my strong work ethic, leadership potential, and commitment to making a positive impact both professionally and personally.

How are you currently involved in your community? At this time, I am not active in community organizations, however I am eager to become more engaged and see LSV as an opportunity to better understand community needs and identify meaningful ways to contribute.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
I hope to strengthen my leadership skills, commutations skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain a deeper understanding of regional issues so I can contribute more effectively to my workplace and community.

✨ Discovering leadership through connection and purpose.

06/09/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Stephanie Ulrich

Stephanie brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to leadership and growth.

Why did you choose to participate in LSV?
I chose to participate in Leadership Susquehanna Valley because I’m deeply committed to strengthening my leadership impact within both Keystone Human Services and the broader community.

In my role as Education Manager, I focus every day on developing others, elevating skills, and promoting meaningful, person‑centered work across our system. LSV felt like the natural next step — an opportunity to invest in my growth the same way I invest in others’.
I was drawn to the program’s emphasis on regional collaboration, community understanding, and values‑based leadership. LSV brings together people who want to make a difference, and I wanted to learn alongside leaders who are passionate, mission‑driven, and committed to building a stronger Susquehanna Valley. Participating allows me to broaden my perspective, strengthen partnerships, and bring back new energy, ideas, and connections that can directly benefit both my team and the people we support.

How are you currently involved in your community?
I am involved in my community in several meaningful and connected ways. I play in a local dart league through the VFW, which has helped me build relationships, support local veterans’ organizations, and stay engaged in community‑centered activities. I also participate in a church softball league, which gives me a chance to connect with others, stay active, and be part of a team outside of work. In addition, I’m a member of the Tulpehocken Garden Club, which allows me to contribute to community beautification efforts and connect with others who enjoy creating welcoming, vibrant outdoor spaces.
These activities help me stay rooted in my community, build connections, and give back in ways that feel meaningful and authentic to me.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
Personally, I hope to gain more confidence in myself as a leader and as an individual. I want to learn to trust my abilities, build my self‑esteem, and better understand my own worth.
Professionally, I want to strengthen my leadership skills—especially in areas that don’t come naturally to me, like developing others and stepping into leadership roles with assurance instead of hesitation. I want to learn from people outside my usual circles and bring new tools, perspectives, and confidence back to my work.
Communally, I hope to build genuine connections with leaders across the region and better understand how I can contribute to the wellbeing of the broader Susquehanna Valley community. I want to find ways to give back in a meaningful, sustainable way.

✨ Leading with intention. Growing with purpose.

06/08/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Andrew Moyer

Andrew joins LSV with a desire to step outside his comfort zone and deepen his community involvement.

Why do you believe you were chosen to participate in LSV?
I joined LSV to learn more about civic engagement and the potential networking opportunities the class would expose me to.

How are you currently involved in your community?
I am not, but it has become an interest now that my children are older and actively participating in school/sports.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
By participating in LSV, I hope to enhance my communication skills and develop my decision making. I wanted to challenge my personal growth by doing something outside my comfort zone. By the end of the class, I’m hoping to have learned how to have effective community involvement.

✨ Growth begins just outside your comfort zone.

06/05/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Lindsey Biddle

Lindsey’s passion for advocacy and community impact drives her leadership journey.

Why did you choose to participate in LSV?
I chose Leadership Susquehanna Valley because of my deep passion for community and helping others. For the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of serving others as a sexual assault nurse, advocating for patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Through this work—and now through leadership—I have discovered a growing passion for outreach and for connecting more intentionally and meaningfully with my community. LSV represents an opportunity to expand that impact beyond individual care and contribute to positive change on a broader, community-wide level.

How are you currently involved in your community?
I currently connect with my community through my work with the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner team at WellSpan Evangelical and supporting advocacy through partnering with Transitions. I am also a member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Union County, where we help shape policy and guide local law enforcement and the judicial system to ensure we continue to serve populations such as people with behavioral health needs, people experiencing homelessness, and other underserved communities.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
Through my participation in Leadership Susquehanna Valley, I hope to build meaningful personal and professional relationships that will have lasting effects not only on my career but also on my personal goals. I am committed to serving my local community through philanthropy and board involvement, and to helping shape the future of the community that my children, my grandchildren, and I will call home.

✨ Creating impact that lasts for generations.

06/04/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Courtney Hanes

Courtney is eager to connect, learn, and grow through her LSV experience.

Why did you choose to participate in LSV?
I was interested in learning more about all the Susquehanna Valley has to offer and meeting other professionals.

How are you currently involved in your community?
I currently serve as the President Elect of the Selinsgrove Rotary Club.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
I hope to gain a new network of professional contacts and resources.

✨ New connections. New perspectives. New growth.

06/03/2026

🌟 Thank You to Our Guy Temple Distinguished Alumni Award Breakfast Sponsor 🌟

We are incredibly grateful to Bob Garrett for his continued support of Leadership Susquehanna Valley as a sponsor of this year’s Guy Temple Distinguished Alumni Award Breakfast.

Not only is Bob one of the founding fathers of the LSV program, but he has also remained a longtime friend, mentor, and champion of leadership throughout our region. His impact on this program, and on so many alumni over the years, cannot be overstated.

We are deeply thankful for generational leaders like Bob who continue to invest their time, wisdom, and support into the future of our communities. Thank you, Bob, for helping shape the legacy of LSV.

06/03/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Laura Austin

Laura’s dedication to leadership, youth development, and community connection makes her a strong addition to the class.

Why did you choose to participate in LSV?
I chose to participate in Leadership Susquehanna Valley because I believe in continuous growth as a local leader and see this program as an opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills while expanding my perspective. Networking with other passionate professionals will allow me to build meaningful connections that foster collaboration and innovation within our region. The values of Leadership Susquehanna Valley; community engagement, integrity, and service, align closely with my own commitment to making a positive impact. By working together, we can leverage our collective strengths to benefit the local community and ensure its continued success and vitality.

How are you currently involved in your community?
As a board member for the Susquehanna Valley Youth Hockey League, I play an active role in shaping programs that foster teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship among young athletes. This position allows me to contribute to strategic decisions that enhance the experience for players and families, ensuring the league remains a positive and inclusive environment. Additionally, as a team manager for CPIHL and DVHL teams within the Stampede Hockey Club, I am responsible for coordinating schedules, managing communications, and supporting coaches and players throughout the season. These roles require strong organizational skills, collaboration, and a commitment to youth development. These are values that align with my passion for building community and creating opportunities for growth. Through these efforts, I help strengthen connections among families, promote healthy lifestyles, and contribute to the overall success of local youth sports programs.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our region and how I can contribute to meaningful solutions. Personally, I want to grow as a leader by learning from diverse perspectives and refining my ability to inspire and collaborate.

Professionally, I see LSV as a chance to expand my network with other passionate leaders, share best practices, and develop skills that will strengthen my impact within my organization. Communally, I aim to leverage these connections and insights to support initiatives that enhance quality of life, foster economic growth, and build a stronger, more connected Susquehanna Valley. Ultimately, I want to emerge from this experience better equipped to lead with purpose and make a lasting difference in our community.

✨ Building stronger communities through leadership and teamwork.

06/02/2026

👋 Meet the Class: Justin Brought

Justin brings an impressive commitment to community engagement and fundraising to the LSV Class of 2026.

Why do you believe you were chosen to participate in LSV?
I chose to participate in LSV to enhance my public speaking skills and strengthen my overall professionalism. I saw the program as an opportunity to push myself outside my comfort zone while developing leadership skills that will benefit my community, myself and my organization.

How are you currently involved in your community?
I stay actively involved in my community through several volunteer efforts. My wife and I support the Selinsgrove Projects Organization by volunteering my time, and we are also heavily engaged with Magical Memories—both through volunteering and fundraising. In 2025, I personally raised over $20,000 for Magical Memories. Additionally, my wife and I volunteer and raise funds for the Selinsgrove Seals Football Booster Club to support local student athletes.

What do you hope to gain from your participation in LSV?
LSV has the potential to strengthen the foundation I’ve been building over the past few years. Recently, my wife and I have become more involved in the community—not only to expand our network, but to share our skills, time, and support with others. Until this year, I had never been directly involved in raising funds outside of traditional event-based fundraising. Yet in 2025, I unexpectedly found myself able to raise an astonishing amount of money for a local organization through four different methods. That experience opened my eyes to what intentional community engagement can accomplish.

I believe LSV can further guide me in developing a deeper understanding of fundraising, community leadership, and relationship-building—skills I can carry with me long into the future. Additionally, my wife and I have been purchasing real estate as part of a long-term personal goal. The leadership skills and connections I’ve already gained through LSV, even in a short time, have directly supported that vision and reinforced the value of continuing in the program.

✨ Turning passion into impact through leadership.

06/01/2026