Jennifer Diaz, Executive Director at Leadership Lancaster

A feature piece from our Fall 2025 issue of the Lancaster Thriving Publication

I still remember walking into my very first Core Class session back in 2000. I was 25 years old—a recent college graduate working at a small nonprofit—and, truth be told, not entirely sure what I’d gotten myself into. I thought Leadership Lancaster would be another professional development program where you sit in a room, take notes, and leave with a binder that collects dust. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

By the end of those nine months, my perspective had shifted completely. I met leaders from every corner of Lancaster County—nonprofit directors, small business owners, educators, corporate executives—people who saw the world differently than I did yet, shared a deep commitment to making this community better. I learned about issues I knew little about: affordable housing, economic development, education equity, sustainability. More importantly, I learned how to connect my own skills and values to something larger than myself.

That experience didn’t just shape my career—it shaped who I am. And now, as Executive Director of Leadership Lancaster, I get to see that same spark ignite in others year after year.

A New Mission and Vision for Today

Fast forward to today, and Leadership Lancaster has a bold new mission:

Our mission is simple yet powerful: “To activate people to lead with purpose and integrity so they can create lasting change in their communities.”

It’s paired with a vision of “a Lancaster County where every individual feels empowered to lead, contribute, and grow in a culture of openness and shared purpose.”

Together, they’re more than words on a page—they’re the foundation of our work, guiding everything from program design to how we show up in the community.

An Alumni Story: From Classroom to Community Change

One of the most inspiring parts of my job is watching alumni take what they’ve learned and turn it into something tangible for the community.

Take Andrew Prosser (Core Class ’25). As Director of Engineering and Construction at the York Water Company, Andrew experienced one of those “lightbulb moments” during Leadership Lancaster’s Arts and Culture Day. He saw the potential to connect two organizations—Hand Up Partners and Music for Everyone—in a way that could spark something meaningful in Lancaster.

Months later, that idea came to life. With a grant from Music for Everyone, the artistry of Terian Mack, a mural wall offered by McDonald’s, and support from SoWe, Rebecca Saner (Leadership Lancaster ’03) and Hand Up Partners helped lead a project that brought a vibrant new mural to the city. Even more powerful, Lancaster’s unhoused neighbors were part of the creative process—pouring their hearts, energy, and talent into a piece that now stands as a symbol of the community’s spirit.

Andrew and Rebecca call it “great teamwork by so many in the community,” but it’s also a perfect example of how Leadership Lancaster equips people to see possibilities, build connections, and make an impact—often sooner than they expect.

Programs that Spark Change

Our flagship Core Class is a nine-month cohort experience bringing together leaders from across industries to learn, connect, and act. The Executive Class gives senior leaders an in-depth introduction to Lancaster’s key issues, while College Core connects young adults to community leadership early in their careers.

This all adds up to a Leadership Continuum—a pathway of programs and opportunities that allow individuals to reconnect with Leadership Lancaster at every stage of their journey. It’s not a one-time program; it’s a lifelong connection to learning, service, and community.

This year, we’re especially excited to launch Encore Academy, a new program for retirees who have the passion, experience, and energy to make a difference. (More on that in the sidebar!)

Looking Ahead

Leadership Lancaster is not about developing leadership in theory—it’s about equipping people to lead right where they are, in their workplace, their neighborhood, their volunteer role.

If my 25-year-old self could have seen the future back in 2000, she wouldn’t have believed it. And yet here we are—thousands of alumni strong, across generations, all moving toward a Lancaster County where every person feels empowered to lead.

That’s a vision worth working for. And we’re just getting started.

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