Honored as one of the Top 25 Women in Business by the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal, Lori Nocito, who is the executive director for Leadership Wilkes-Barre has been selected as the guest speaker for this year's commencement exercise at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. She will address the 2009 graduating class on Saturday, May 16, at 10:00 a.m. inside the Athletics and Recreation building. Prior to becoming the director in 2003, Nocito spent over 15 years in the corporate sector, serving as the advertising sales manager for the Times Leader and Sunday Dispatch, and most recently as a columnist for the Citizens' Voice. She began her public relations career as the director of public relations for the Pittston Area school district. Nocito says, "My commencement speech to this year's graduating class at Penn State Wilkes-Barre will be about finding your passion and believing in your dreams."
A highly accomplished professional who is dedicated to community development, Nocito is the chairperson of the Pittston Tomato Festival and the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce Women's Network. She is also the co-chairperson for Coats/Shoes for Kids. Nocito, who is a graduate of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, also serves on many boards of directors including: Luzerne County Head Start and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. In the past, she has been a member of the board for the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, YMCA and the Salvation Army. For her volunteer efforts, Nocito has been the recipient of many community service awards. In 2001, she was named the Greater Pittston Person of the year and then in 2005, Nocito was honored as Woman of Year by the Wyoming Valley Women's Club. In 1986, Nocito earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Penn State University. She grew up in the greater Pittston area and currently resides in Exeter with her husband Frank. During this year's commencement exercise, Penn State Wilkes-Barre expects to award 59 diplomas to students who are completing 12 associate and 47 baccalaureate degrees. For more information contact the Academic Affairs office at (570) 675-9252.
