Meghan Carnevale

What’s your current position? 

What’s your current position?

I currently serve as the Mission Advancement & Marketing Director at the Greater Scranton YMCA. I began my YMCA career at the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA in 2011. In 2012, I accepted a position at the Greater Scranton YMCA and in 2015, I began serving as the Mission Advancement & Marketing Director for both the Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs. In March 2019, following the December 2018 arrival of my twins, Gio and Camila, I transitioned back to the Greater Scranton YMCA. The Greater Scranton YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. In my current position, I lead financial development and marketing activities at our Y; a role where I work to secure the financial resources necessary to allow all members of our community to benefit from all our Y has to offer. Additionally, I have the joy of sharing the cause and impact of our Y with our community. I direct the Y’s Annual Support Campaign, grants, participation in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, and additional fundraising initiatives. I also manage the Y’s marketing campaigns, social media platforms, and public relations.

 What would you say most motivates you to do the work you do? 

 I believe all children, adults, and families deserve the opportunity to benefit from all the Y has to offer, regardless of their ability to pay. Through the Greater Scranton YMCA’s fundraising efforts, I work with our senior leaders to make that a reality and that is what motivates me most. Now having three young children myself, my passion for providing all kids with access to things like early childhood education, swim lessons and summer camp has only grown.

 Where did you grow up and did you go to a college/trade school after high school? 

I grew up in Peckville, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Valley View High School in 2007, I attended Penn State University in University Park, PA (WE ARE!), where I graduated in 2011 with a degree in print journalism. Upon graduating, I moved back to Northeastern Pennsylvania where I started my first job as a regional reporter at the Scranton Times-Tribune. The older I get, the more I love and appreciate all Northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer. It is such a wonderful place for families with so much to do. I am grateful my children will have the opportunity to grow up here just like my husband and I did.

 Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are?

Two key influencers in my life are my mother, Kathy, and twin sister, Sarah. Having overcome so much in her life, my mother is my rock and I am so grateful to her for the childhood she gave my siblings and me. She’s taught us about what being resilient truly is. And as I grow older, my relationship with my sister is something I treasure more and more. It’s invaluable to have someone in your life you can talk to about anything and it’s something I don’t take for granted.

 How did you learn about Leadership Lackawanna?

 I learned about Leadership Lackawanna through my work at the Greater Scranton YMCA and I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to participate. I graduated from both the core and executive programs in 2015. After graduating, I had the privilege of serving on the Leadership Lackawanna Alumni Committee and Auxiliary Board. Leadership has provided me with so many opportunities to grow more connected to the area I call home. Having grown up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, one of my favorite things about my time in Leadership Lackawanna programs was how much I still learned about the region, as well as about the resources available to community members.  I will forever cherish my time with leadership and look forward to continuing to participate in the future!