One of the hallmarks of the Leadership Chenango program is the opportunity to tour of some of Chenango’s largest and most diverse employers, agricultural producers and tourist destinations - such as this visit to Northeast Classic Car Museum by the Class of 2022. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – Applications are now open for Chenango County’s premier leadership development program, Leadership Chenango.

According to Commerce Chenango President & CEO Sal Testani, more than 350 business and community leaders have completed the 10-month program since it was first launched in 1988 under the auspices of the business advocacy organization’s non-profit arm, The Chenango Foundation.

“We are very proud of the Leadership Chenango program and the legacy it has created over the last 35 years,” Testani said. “We are eager to carry on this tradition with the Class of 2024, which will be the nineteenth in the program’s history.”

At its core, Leadership Chenango is designed to groom future leaders in the hopes of preparing them to assume roles of responsibility in political, civic, and charitable organizations as well as contribute to their professional and career success.

“The curriculum is designed to give participants a greater understanding of all facets of the greater Chenango community, as well as enhance and develop their leadership skills. In the process, we help them make meaningful connections within the community and with each other, to help guide their future growth and development,” explained Melissa Stagnaro, who serves as the program’s facilitator.

Acceptance into the class is a competitive process. The first step is completing the application now available on the Commerce Chenango website, www.commercechenango.com. Successful applicants will be interviewed in January. Those accepted into the Class of 2024 will begin their Leadership Chenango journey in February with an orientation and retreat designed to help them get to know one another and themselves.

“We start with an orientation and retreat designed to help the class get to know one another and themselves,” Stagnaro said. “From there, we’ll meet twice monthly with each session focusing on a different aspect of Chenango County.”

The schedule includes deep dives into local government, agriculture, education, social services, the non-profit sector, judicial system, economic development, business and entrepreneurism, leadership development, tourism, and health care – and intimate looks and behind-the-scenes tours of some of Chenango’s largest and most diverse employers.

“Class members come to the program with a desire to serve the community as well as grow personally and professionally,” Stagnaro said. “We do everything we can to give them the tools, skills, and connections to do so effectively, so they can take an active role in shaping the future of Chenango County.”


Tuition for the 10-month program is $1,750, which Stagnaro said is often paid for by a class member’s employer or a sponsoring organization. In addition, each participant is required to pay a $100 personal commitment fee.

“The class decides how the funds from that personal commitment fee are put toward use as part of their class legacy,” she explained.

For more information, contact Commerce Chenango at (607) 334-1400 or via email at info@chenangony.org. The application is available online at www.commercechenango.com. To be considered for the Class of 2024, completed applications must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, December 17.

- Information from Commerce Chenango