Youth Leadership Academy 
Youth Leadership Academy Class of 2026 Nominations Are Now Open!
2026 Nomination Deadline: Monday, March 16th

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

YLA Reception registration

​The Delaware County Workforce Development Board,, Youth Council and The Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce are proud to sponsor the Youth Leadership Academy for Delaware County high school sophomores. This program will provide an outstanding opportunity for area 10th graders to meet and work with local leaders.

​Our goal is to celebrate student achievement and the power of leadership, as well as to encourage Delaware County high school sophomores to become better prepared to take on future leadership opportunities. Our future depends so much on the next generation of individuals who are willing to accept the challenge.

​​Throughout the Academy, interactive sessions will address a variety of topics.

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Program Benefits: ​
1. Students can add Youth Leadership Academy to their resume and to college applications for scholarships and special awards.
2. Students build professional relationships through networking with business, industry, government, academic and social service leaders.
​3. Students build personal portfolios of team projects and presentations for future job and college applications.
4. In addition, students examine contingency approaches to leadership, leading in crisis, cognitive and emotive aspects of leadership, ethics and morality, follower ship, organizational design, and leading through change.

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​2026 YLA KEY DATES:

Nomination Deadline

• ​Monday, March 16,2026

Program Dates: 

• Tuesday, ​April 28 -  8:00 AM to 2:00 PM 
• Wednesday, April 29 - 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM 
• Thursday, April 30 - 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Reception

• Thursday, April 30 - 6:00 PM​​

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​​Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce's Programs: 

• Career Awareness 
• Leadership Delaware County
• Magnifying Manufacturing

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Youth Leadership Academy
​Committee Members: ​

• Jane Buchanan, Be Proud Foundation 
• Clara Burke, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union 
• Cathy Judge Cardillo, Trinity Health System 
• Jacqueline Gardner, Tomorrow’s Utilities 
•  Adam Gattuso, Monroe Energy 
• Roe Falcone, EDSI 
• Jennifer Fleury, EY
• Karen Kozachyn, Delaware County Community College 
• Adriene Irving, Delaware County Intermediate Unit 
• Trish McFarland, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 
• Mike Morgan, Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce 
• Rose Robinson 
• Mike Ranck, Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County ​

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​For more information, contact: 

• Jaclyn Miley, Events and Communications Manager at [email protected].

Thank you to our Youth Leadership Academy Partners: 

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