CONNECT

Consider this course if you work with or for children and want to raise your awareness of marginalized groups and create culturally proficient environments, so that all children feel like they belong and as a result can be more successful.

LDS is for professionals who work with and for children, helping them create inclusive, culturally proficient spaces where every child feels they belong. This course equips participants with tools to effectively engage diverse student and parent populations. Through problem-solving activities, critical reflection, and group discussions, participants build skills in acceptance, understanding, and leadership. This program runs September through May.

Coming in Fall 2026…

CONNECT: Training Leaders for Youth Success

CONNECT will be a new leadership development experience designed for professionals who work with and for children. Whether you serve in a school, nonprofit, government agency, or community organization, CONNECT will equip you with the tools to lead with purpose, empathy, and effectiveness.

In a rapidly evolving world, children need strong, compassionate leaders who understand their challenges and are prepared to support their growth, resilience, and success.

Who Will Be Invited to Participate?

CONNECT will be designed for:

Educators and school leaders
Youth-serving nonprofit professionals
Counselors, caseworkers, and support staff
Community advocates and agency leaders

If you work in a role that impacts the lives of children or youth, CONNECT will be for you.

Stay Connected

CONNECT will launch in 2026, with more information available in late 2025.
Click here to join the interest list and be among the first to receive updates, application details, and early access.

Lead with Purpose. Grow in Community. Support Youth Success.

CONNECT will be more than a program—it will be a movement to strengthen leadership
in service of the next generation.

Leadership York

Leadership York’s Mission is to train, connect, and inspire individuals to serve the York community in leadership positions.

We do what we do, so our alumni can make a difference. Help us make a difference today.

Donate Now

Do you have exciting news to share? We’d love to hear it! Whether you landed a dream job, started a new adventure, or have a big life update, let us celebrate with you - share your alumni news today!

Share your news

Spark is almost here… and so is your chance to rep Leadership York in style!🔥 Our LY Merchandise Store is officially OPEN — but only for a limited time! You have until midnight on June 5 (the day after Spark) to snag your gear and show off your LY pride all year long. 🎉 Don’t wait — shop now: https://susquehannaapparel.chipply.com/leadershipyork/ 👉 See something missing you'd love to wear? Reach out to Haley with your ideas at hhernandez@leadershipyork.org — we’re always looking to grow the collection!

Spark 2025 is just around the corner — happening this coming Wednesday! Join us for Leadership York’s annual celebration of community, connection, and impact at Spark 📍 Where: The Hangar at The New York Wire Works, 441 E Market St, York, PA 📅 When: Wednesday, June 4 | 5:30–7:30 PM 🎟️ Who: Leadership York alumni, supporters, and friends — all are welcome! This year, we proudly honor: 🏆 Alumnus of the Year: Joan Mummert 🏆 Alumni in Action: Sharee McFadden 🏆 Partner of the Year: York County Community Foundation Come celebrate these remarkable leaders who are making a difference in York County. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres, a drink on us, and a pay-as-you-go bar as you mingle with fellow changemakers. Let’s come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and ignite the future of leadership in our community. Register Now: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Spark2025

The LTP Class recently came together one final time for their Closing Retreat — a meaningful culmination of a year spent growing as leaders, deepening community connections, and discovering their power to make a difference in York County. Together, they reflected on all they had accomplished: presenting team projects that addressed real community challenges, sharing best practices, and envisioning a brighter, more equitable future for our county. 💡 They revisited their personal growth journeys — crafting mission statements for community service, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, and creating action plans for continued impact beyond the classroom. There was laughter, there were tears, and there was LTP’s Got Talent, reminding us that leadership can be both serious and joyful. 🎤 As they looked back on what they learned and how far they’ve come, one thing became clear: this class isn’t just graduating — they’re stepping forward as changemakers, united by a commitment to lead with heart. 💙

Congratulations to the Future Leaders of York Class of 2025! 🎓 We recently celebrated an inspiring graduation ceremony, highlighting months of growth, leadership, and community impact. From reflections on the FLY leadership pillars—Consciousness of Self, Congruence, Commitment, Controversy with Civility, Common Purpose, and Citizenship—to thoughtful remarks and powerful student reflections, it was a day full of pride and promise. 🌟 A special thank you to our graduation sponsor, Wolfgang Confectioners, and to the four incredible nonprofits awarded student-selected grants: Windy Hill Senior Center, Family First Health, Catholic Harvest Food Pantry, and Leg Up Farms. 💙 FLY 2025—you are the future, and it looks bright! 🌍 Photo Credit: Emily Arndt with @emslens23

“Leadership is tested in crisis, not comfort.” 💬 Larry Richardson recently joined our 2025 Mentorship York cohort to share powerful insights on leading through uncertainty. From the importance of empathy and moral character to the reminder that leadership is a temporary stewardship, Larry challenged us to lead with clarity, courage, and compassion. 💡 Thank you, Larry, for reminding us that tough times reveal true leadership—and offer opportunities to grow and lead with purpose. 🙌

Are you registered? You won’t want to miss this year’s Annual Spark Event coming up in just two weeks ✨ Wednesday, June 4 | 5:30–7:30 PM | The Hangar, York Join us for an evening of food, fun, and connection as we honor some of the incredible leaders who make the Leadership York community so special: 🏆 Alumnus of the Year: Joan Mummert 🏆 Alumni in Action: Sharee McFadden 🏆 Partner of the Year: York County Community Foundation Let’s show up and show our support for these changemakers! Enjoy a complimentary drink, hors d'oeuvres, and a pay-as-you-go bar as you mix and mingle with alumni and friends. 👏 Registration is free but required! http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Spark2025

Our Leadership Training Program finished their last two sessions with insight and inspiration! 💡 We dove into Nonprofit Board Member Responsibilities with our very own, Kraig Hersh, at Glatfelter Insurance Group 🙌 (thank you for hosting!). Participants explored the purpose and impact of nonprofit boards, how to run efficient and effective meetings, and how to engage meaningfully as a board member. The session also tackled working with difficult behaviors, making meetings work, and a refresher on Robert’s Rules of Order⚖️ Our final full session, Leadership in Action, brought the journey full circle 🔄. LTP alumni joined us to share their stories, offer guidance, and inspire the next generation of leaders to take action, stay involved, and continue growing into their BEST selves. We’re so proud of this class and can’t wait to see where their leadership paths lead! 🌟

Our final two sessions of the Nonprofit Leadership Academy focused on what it takes to lead organizations through change and ensure lasting effectiveness. 💼 In our Organizational Change session, Steven Martinez, Executive Director of the SPCA, shared his personal leadership journey, and Joan Mummert, President/CEO of the York County History Center, walked us through the Executive Director’s role in driving sustainable change and managing the process with intention. We closed with a session on Organizational Effectiveness, where Wilda Reahm-Alessi helped us explore the characteristics of high-performing nonprofits and the importance of planning and evaluation. A rich peer consultation followed, featuring insights from Eric Chase (NLA 17), Tom O’Connor (NLA 15), and Wilda herself—sharing real-world experiences from the field. We wrapped it all up with celebration and certificates—congratulations to the NLA Class of 2025! 🎓👏 Your dedication to learning and leadership will continue to shape York’s nonprofit community for years to come.

Leadership York, finding strength in differences, strives to increase diversity, inclusion, and equity
in community governance by developing leaders from all backgrounds and points of view.

Leadership York
238 North George Street, York, PA 17401
Phone: 717.846.5323 | Fax: 717.846.5353
info@leadershipyork.org