The Penn State Extension Leadership Network was developed by the leadership program team at Penn State University. We work in partnership with different audiences, such as local communities, youth and adults, farmers, ranchers, individuals who are working with agricultural-aligned businesses, and natural resources stakeholders to identify leadership needs. We help these groups address these needs by providing customized leadership education. 

Ginni Rommetti wrote, “I learned always to take on things I would never do before; growth and comfort do not coexist.” If you do not challenge yourself, you will never grow. Often, we ask ourselves, how can I be more successful in my professional and personal life? How can I productively participate in the leadership process in my community or at my work? There is an intrinsic relationship between leadership and learning.  Our leadership team can help you answer these questions and build your leadership capacity.  We have developed programming and resources related to the following topics, but are not limited by this list: 

• Personal leadership development
• Emotional Intelligence
• Power of listening
• Managing for trust
• Conflict resolution
• Priority settings
• Time management
• Decision making
• Stress management and mindfulness
• Negotiation
• Partnership and collaboration
• Teamwork
• Networking and communication
• Mentoring and coaching
• Volunteer management

Please contact Suzanna Windon, Assistant Professor of Youth and Adult Leadership at Penn State at sxk75@psu.edu for more information regarding this page or the Penn State University Extension Leadership program team.

Meet Our Team

Dr. Suzanna Windon, Assistant Professor at the Department of  Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. Her research and Extension work are focusing on youth and adult leadership, individual and team leadership, including volunteer management.

Contact: email sxk75@psu.edu

John P. Wodehouse is an educator/instructor with Penn State University Extension. His experience is in agribusiness, leadership development and entrepreneurship. Within Penn State, John also works in the areas of managerial performance, landscape business profitability and feasibility. Prior to Penn State, John’s career experience included farming, landscape design-management and sales, and facilities management. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Finance (BBA) from Albright College in 2012, and an Associate in Landscape Nursery Science from Penn State University in 1998, and a Master’s in Leadership Development, MBA/MLD from Penn State University in 2019.

Contact: email jpw20@psu.edu

Mariah Stollar is completing her master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, with a focus on community leadership and Extension. Her research interests involve youth and adult leadership, with a focus on mindfulness. Mariah has facilitated leadership workshops for youth and adults on various topics, including conflict management, diversity, ethical decision-making, meeting management, motivation, and public speaking.

Contact: email mks370@psu.edu

Tanya Lamo is a Penn State Extension Educator focusing on ag entrepreneurship, marketing and leadership. She assists small businesses in identifying ways to diversify, expand and market.  Encouraging leadership in the workplace, Tanya helps businesses refine customer service skills, employee training and overall business experience. She also works to create opportunities for businesses to expand their professional network.

Prior to Extension, Tanya gained 7 years of teaching experience working with adults and youth with special needs.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Delaware Valley University and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at Penn State University in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

Contact:  phone 717-334-6271, email tel20@psu.edu

Linda Falcone serves as an Extension Educator of Business and Community Vitality has extensive experience in community outreach and teaching. Her community outreach experience includes fund-raising, project management, grant writing, volunteer management, strategic planning, and workforce development. Her teaching experience includes business, entrepreneurship, marketing, economics and microcomputers at the college level. She has also taught workshops on customer service, diversity, workplace ethics, basic personal finance, workplace bullying, visioning, team building and youth work-readiness skills. Linda holds a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in Architectural Studies and Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration from Kutztown University.

Contact: phone  570-996-2247, email lxr6@psu.edu