Broome Leadership Institute to hold graduation event Thursday in Endwell

ENDWELL, N.Y. — The Broome Leadership Institute (BLI) will hold a graduation dinner and ceremony for its Class of 2021 on Thursday.

The event is set for the Binghamton Country Club in Endwell and will run from 6-8 p.m. The Class of 2021 represents the 34th graduating class of the BLI program.

Broome Leadership Institute (BLI) is a six-month, community-leadership program, sponsored by the Greater Binghamton Education Outreach Program (GBEOP), an affiliate organization of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.

The six-month program is designed to develop “enthusiastic and well-informed leaders who are committed to making positive contributions to the community.” A select number are chosen for each class, which runs from September through March with two full-day sessions each month.

Each session provides a “behind the scenes” look at the community, learning how it works, who makes it work, what problems citizens face, and learning how and where BLI participants can help.

Sessions are held at different sites with speakers focusing on specific topics. They include agriculture, arts, board development, chamber of commerce, community insight, current issues, courts and the penal system, diversity, education, economic development, ethics, government, innovation, leadership, health care, human/social services, and media.

Those involved are meeting with key decision-makers face-to-face; gaining a “broader understanding” of the issues affecting life in the region; learning new skills and making invaluable professional contacts; and gaining the knowledge, experience and contacts needed to make a “positive difference” in the community.

BLI Class of 2021

• Jocelyn Bailey, account director, Idea Kraft
• Maxwell Bendert, senior architect, Delta Engineering, Architecs & Surveyors
• Megan Carroll, director of grants administration, Ascension Lourdes
• Nicholas Cortese, associate attorney, Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP
• Tina Dolan, director, public policy & program development, UHS
• Rebecca Falank, PALS principal, Broome-Tioga BOCES
• Matthew Johns, development and marketing coordinator, Mothers & Babies
• Maya Jones, talent initiatives and YP project coordinator, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce
• Stephen Jones, advisory software engineer, IBM
• Alycia Kimmel, attorney – associate, Levene Gouldin & Thompson
• Emily Laude, customer service manager, National Pipe & Plastics
• Michael Leahey, director of development, Broome County Council of Churches
• Njeri Macharia, VP and senior branch manager, M&T Bank
• Matt Mirabito, director of sales, Mirabito Energy Products
• Lindsey Mott, senior community initiative manager, United Way of Broome County
• Heather Murphy, director of development, United Methodist Homes
• Debra Sablich, card solutions manager, Visions Federal Credit Union
• Nicole Waskie-Laura, assistant director for instruction technology and education resources, Broome-Tioga BOCES
• Amy Williamson, marketing & communications manager, The Agency
• Peter Zayac, technical lead, ICS