Stephanie Longo

What’s your current position?  How long have you been in this position?  Can you give me a brief overview of what it is you do in your work?

I am the associate producer and chief administrative officer of The Italian American Podcast, which is based in New York, NY. I handle the coordination and production of the episodes of our show, which focuses on all aspects of Italian American heritage. I perform research and craft show notes for our co-hosts, and I also get to schedule guests and pitch episodes. During the COVID-19 crisis, I was able to help transfer our show over to a digital format, allowing everyone to work remotely and have zero breaks in production. I also worked with our executive producer to come up with ways to keep our audience engaged during this difficult time in our world. I also work on our website, blog, social media, and public relations. I have been in this position since January of 2020 and absolutely love it!

What would you say most motivates you to do the work you do?  What are you most passionate about? 

I am most passionate about my Italian American heritage and that is the driving force behind everything I do. I have been working as a “Professional Italian American” ever since my college days—I have three books out on Italian American heritage in NEPA and am often a featured speaker about our area’s rich traditions both locally and nationally. It is an honor for me to be able to pass down the stories of Italian immigrants to our country. Knowing that these stories are preserved in some way is what motivates me to get up every day.

The fact that I now have a full-time job in the Italian American field is an absolute dream come true. My colleagues—my “famiglia”—at The Italian American Podcast inspire me every day to keep living my heritage. I have so much fun with our team that I honestly forget I am working—we all feed off of each other’s shared passions and it makes our show something very special that I hope our listeners can hear. A lot of love goes into every episode and I am proud to be a part of it.

Where did you grow up and did you go to a college/trade school after high school?  Where did you go, and what was that like? How did you end up in NEPA?

I grew up in NEPA and currently reside in Dunmore. I was a 1998 participant in the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program while I was a junior at Bishop O’Hara High School. I am a 2003 graduate of the University of Scranton (Bachelor of Arts: Italian and French) and received my Master’s Degree in American History from there in 2006. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Regent University (2009).

I strongly believe in our area and its deep potential. It is a source of pride for me to say that I am from northeastern Pennsylvania. I believe in our region’s strong commitment to its past while paving the way for its future. Our region is the perfect example of why historic preservation is so important—you see the marriage of past, present and future in every aspect of our life here. I couldn’t think of anyplace else I’d rather live.

Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are?  Tell a bit about them and what they did that influenced you.

My chief influence in my life is my mother, Annie Longo. My mother raised me as a single parent from the time I was three years old, and her example has taught me strength and resilience. From the time I was a child, she instilled in me a profound love for our Italian heritage from Guardia Lombardi (AV) and Lamezia Terme (CZ). She is the reason why I am who I am and I am proud to be her daughter.

I also count my great aunt, the late Jennie Moeller, as another major influence in my life. Aunt Jennie was my grandfather’s sister. I never knew my grandfather—I only knew him through the stories my mother told me about him and how he wanted to return to Italy, but never made it. Aunt Jennie helped bring these stories to life. She also taught me how to find the fun in everything I do and that laughter really is the best medicine.

How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna? In what class year and program did you participate? Describe your experience. How did the program affect you post-graduation? What has your involvement with Leadership Lackawanna been post-graduation?

I am a proud graduate of the Core Program Class of 2019 and my team was “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

Leadership Lackawanna was, hands down, the best thing that could have happened to me. Not only did I make lifelong friends as a result of this program, but the professional growth I experienced through each session was second-to-none. Leadership Lackawanna provided me with the path to completely transform my professional career and to truly follow my passion in life. When I look back over my nine months in Core, I see a definite shift in myself on all levels—you’re not just developing as a leader, you’re developing as a human being. What is most special about Leadership Lackawanna is that you’re experiencing this development with other people—this allows you to forge a bond that can’t be broken with your classmates and your team. Empowered people empower people! I truly value the time spent in Core and am thankful to still be active with the organization via its Alumni and Selection committees. I also make it a point to attend our Core program reunion activities—it’s wonderful to be able to check in with everyone!