Leadership Saratoga, a program of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, announces its twenty-eighth class of participants. The group held its opening retreat on September 28 and 29 at Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake. The Leadership Saratoga program selects up to 24 people each year to participate in an intensive nine month training program designed to teach them skills for stronger leadership, group dynamics, and issues facing Saratoga County and area nonprofits. After completion of the program participants are expected to volunteer as leaders in their communities within Saratoga County.

Members of the Class of 2015 are: Joe Anderson (Northwestern Mutual), Karen Charbonneau (Realty USA), Andrew Collar (National Grid), Julie Cuneo, Pam Darcangelo (Gilead Sciences), Dave Dittmer (Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp.), Collin Donohoue (KAPL), Jen Ferriss (Southern Adirondack Library System), Leah Ferrone (Saratoga Center for the Family), Raj Ghoshal (Polyset Company), Jim Ireland (Ballston Spa National Bank), Kate Jarosh (Bonacio Construction), Jess Kerley (GLOBALFOUNDRIES), Brian Martin (The Initiatives Group), Ed Martin (Lavelle & Finn LLP), Christine Mastrianni, Jim Norton (Stewart’s Shops Corp.), Greg Phillips (First National Bank of Scotia), Ryan Riper (Town of Wilton), Joe Santiago (Clifton Park and Halfmoon EMS), Lorrie Shilling (The Wesley Community), Paul von Schenk (Adirondack Trust Insurance) and Dianne Winter (Caffe Lena).

            In addition to the various sessions they will attend, participants will also work on group projects to benefit four area nonprofits; AIM Services, The Brookside Museum, The Franklin Community Center and the Saratoga Rowing Association. The Leadership Saratoga program has been in existence since 1985 and has an Alumni Association of more than 500 graduates. Those that are interested in learning more about the program can visitwww.LeadershipSaratoga.org or can contact Program Director Kathleen Fyfe. Applications for the next class will be available in April 2015.