SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A class of 23 local leaders graduated this week from the Leadership Saratoga program.

Sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, this award-winning program is dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future.

The first Leadership Saratoga class graduated in 1986, and the program has since assisted in training and educating more than 600 leaders in the Saratoga community.

This year’s graduating class was honored on Wednesday at a ceremony held at Anne's Washington Inn in Saratoga Springs. The class includes Matthew Cohen of Skidmore College, Andrea Cole of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Denise Czerpak of Polyset, Katelynn Ethier of The Wesley Community, Scott Gresens of National Grid, Leon Herrera of Quick Response Restoration, Kylie Holland of Curtis Lumber, Brittany Hoosier of AIM Services, Inc., Joseph Juracka of Smiles for Life Dental Care, Stephen Licciardi of Stewart's Shops, Nick Marchese of ADNET Technologies, Kathryn Marsh of Double H Ranch, Donna McCarthy of Business for Good, Megan Rabbitt of Wellspring, Barbara Reyes-Conner, Daniel Roohan of Roohan Realty, Lucas Ruglis of J.P. Morgan, Christopher Shiley of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Thomas Tiberio of EOS Technologies, Jessica Valcik of CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Tracey Wardwell of Capital Bank, Kevin Weaver of Saratoga Eagle Sales and Service, and Dustin Wetzel of Bonacio Construction.

Each year, members of the Leadership Saratoga class work on projects intended to create impact in Saratoga County. The 2022-2023 class helped The Academy for Life-Long Learning, provided support for the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library and assisted Wellspring with a countywide labor and employer connection project as well as CAPTAIN Community Human Services with a countywide transportation solution.

The purpose of the Leadership Saratoga program is to inform and educate members of the community who want to ensure its success by giving of their time, talents, energy and expertise. This is often in a volunteer capacity such as serving on a board of an impact sector organization, a board of education, a land use board or becoming an elected official. 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 Leadership Saratoga program, which will run from September 2023 to May 2024. The application period, including interviews, is open through June 23. 

Anyone interested in learning more about Leadership Saratoga or considering applying to be a member of the class of 2023-2024 can visit www.LeadershipSaratoga.org for additional information.