Meet Our Chamber Ambassador: Haley Bianco!
We sat down virtually with our newest Chamber Ambassador, Haley Bianco, who joined our Council earlier this year, to learn a little bit more about her work in the community. In her professional life, Haley is Host & Producer at PA live! She joined the Eyewitness News team in May 2016 as the Schuylkill County Bureau Reporter. In September 2018 she was named a co-host of WBRE’s lifestyle show, PA Live! You can see her on the show Monday through Friday 4 to 5 p.m. The show features community organizations, local bands, area chefs and so much more!
Haley got her start as a reporter in Bluefield, West Virginia at the NBC-affiliate, WVVA. Before that, Haley worked in Los Angeles. She helped with red carpet events and awards shows while at E! News, and covered events as a host and producer for Entertainment Scoop. She has also lived in the Coachella Valley while working at NBC News in Palm Springs, California. Haley had her first taste of NEPA and the Poconos while interning at Blue Ridge Communications in Carbon County. Haley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kutztown University in 2015. She has a bachelor’s degree in electronic media, journalism, public relations and professional writing. During her time in college, she was an active member and leader of KU’s TV station, radio station, National Broadcasting Society, newspaper, and was involved with Greek life. When she’s away from the newsroom, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her yorkies, Mini and Mambo. Haley grew up in Allentown, which is where her family still lives. Haley enjoys volunteering with Dress for Success Luzerne County, local animal shelters, and has a passion for helping students prepare for their careers.
We got to ask Haley a few questions about her favorite things about her job, being an Ambassador, and our community for you to get to know her better - read more below!
Q: What do you do in your current professional role, and what is your favorite thing about your job?
A: Each day, I start out with morning interviews in studio. In the age of COVID-19, the majority of the show's in-studio guests have become Zoom interviews. Pre-pandemic, we strived to keep the show as live as possible (the name is PA live!, after all!). After the morning interviews, I start producing the show. Producing entails booking/finding content, formatting where segments go, making it flow and time out accurately, writing the scripts, adding the graphics/pictures/videos, and determining where the interviews will take place (which cameras and which set).
Producing takes up the majority of my day at the station. Some days, I will be out on location recording segments anywhere from here to Scranton, to Williamsport, to Pottsville and beyond! Our station's broadcast signal reaches 17+ counties in Northeastern and Central PA. Most days, I record more interviews before the show from 3 to 3:30 PM. During this time, I host the Law & You, as well as the Financial Forum. Then, we print the scripts and rundowns, head out to set and it's 'lights, camera, action'! On the show we feature local chefs, nonprofits, entertainers, businesses, as well as discuss trending topics, fashion and adoptable animals.
I feel very blessed to wake up every morning and be excited to get to work. Each day is essentially a clean slate, which definitely keeps it interesting! I love having the opportunity to interview so many people from all walks of life and be able to learn from them as I help present their stories. My favorite part of the job is giving guests an outlet to have a voice and be heard.
Q: What causes/organizations are you involved with in the community?
A: I am a board member for Dress for Success Luzerne County, a newly appointed Wyoming Valley Chamber Ambassador, and an advocate for local animal shelters, specifically the SPCA of Luzerne County. I love volunteering at local schools during career fairs, as a class speaker and mentor.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the Wyoming Valley and how do you like to spend your spare time?
A: Growing up an hour down the turnpike, geographically, the area is very similar. But I have found the people here to be the most welcoming and supportive. In May, I will celebrate 5 years at WBRE/WYOU. The Wyoming Valley has become home. The friendly faces (everywhere you go, you know people!), the incredible dining experiences, the beautiful mountains, waterways, trails surrounding us, and the overall community aesthetic make this place somewhere I never want to leave.
Outside of work, you will see me walking Mini and Mambo, my yorkies, in downtown Wilkes-Barre! You may also run into me shopping for clothes and shoes. On the weekends I love to visit wineries in the Poconos and take part in some outdoor adventures! During the warmer months, I'll be 'glamping' with the family at the Jersey shore. I love to be near the water. I'm looking forward to traveling more, but at the end of a trip, it is always nice to come back home to our corner of Pennsylvania.
Q: Why did you choose to get involved in the Chamber Ambassador Council and what are you most looking forward to?
A: Chances are, you know my co-host, Chris Bohinski. He has been a Chamber Ambassador for years. Watching him be involved and seeing the positive impact he and the other ambassadors have in the community, made it an easy decision. On PA live! we highlight many of the events that the Chamber has a hand in. Now, we can spotlight this community even more and continue making it a wonderful place for all of us to call home.
I cannot wait for the pandemic to fade to a memory. This past year has taught us all so much. I'm looking forward to attending community events in the future and getting to meet more people (face to face) who make this area such a thriving and happy place to work, live and play!
Connect with Haley and our Ambassador Council!
If you have a story idea or want to be featured on PA live!, reach out to her on social media or through email hbianco@pahomepage.com. And if you see her out and about, say hi!
For more information on getting involved in our Chamber Ambassador Council, click HERE!
Haley got her start as a reporter in Bluefield, West Virginia at the NBC-affiliate, WVVA. Before that, Haley worked in Los Angeles. She helped with red carpet events and awards shows while at E! News, and covered events as a host and producer for Entertainment Scoop. She has also lived in the Coachella Valley while working at NBC News in Palm Springs, California. Haley had her first taste of NEPA and the Poconos while interning at Blue Ridge Communications in Carbon County. Haley graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kutztown University in 2015. She has a bachelor’s degree in electronic media, journalism, public relations and professional writing. During her time in college, she was an active member and leader of KU’s TV station, radio station, National Broadcasting Society, newspaper, and was involved with Greek life. When she’s away from the newsroom, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her yorkies, Mini and Mambo. Haley grew up in Allentown, which is where her family still lives. Haley enjoys volunteering with Dress for Success Luzerne County, local animal shelters, and has a passion for helping students prepare for their careers.
We got to ask Haley a few questions about her favorite things about her job, being an Ambassador, and our community for you to get to know her better - read more below!
Q: What do you do in your current professional role, and what is your favorite thing about your job?
A: Each day, I start out with morning interviews in studio. In the age of COVID-19, the majority of the show's in-studio guests have become Zoom interviews. Pre-pandemic, we strived to keep the show as live as possible (the name is PA live!, after all!). After the morning interviews, I start producing the show. Producing entails booking/finding content, formatting where segments go, making it flow and time out accurately, writing the scripts, adding the graphics/pictures/videos, and determining where the interviews will take place (which cameras and which set).
Producing takes up the majority of my day at the station. Some days, I will be out on location recording segments anywhere from here to Scranton, to Williamsport, to Pottsville and beyond! Our station's broadcast signal reaches 17+ counties in Northeastern and Central PA. Most days, I record more interviews before the show from 3 to 3:30 PM. During this time, I host the Law & You, as well as the Financial Forum. Then, we print the scripts and rundowns, head out to set and it's 'lights, camera, action'! On the show we feature local chefs, nonprofits, entertainers, businesses, as well as discuss trending topics, fashion and adoptable animals.
I feel very blessed to wake up every morning and be excited to get to work. Each day is essentially a clean slate, which definitely keeps it interesting! I love having the opportunity to interview so many people from all walks of life and be able to learn from them as I help present their stories. My favorite part of the job is giving guests an outlet to have a voice and be heard.
Q: What causes/organizations are you involved with in the community?
A: I am a board member for Dress for Success Luzerne County, a newly appointed Wyoming Valley Chamber Ambassador, and an advocate for local animal shelters, specifically the SPCA of Luzerne County. I love volunteering at local schools during career fairs, as a class speaker and mentor.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the Wyoming Valley and how do you like to spend your spare time?
A: Growing up an hour down the turnpike, geographically, the area is very similar. But I have found the people here to be the most welcoming and supportive. In May, I will celebrate 5 years at WBRE/WYOU. The Wyoming Valley has become home. The friendly faces (everywhere you go, you know people!), the incredible dining experiences, the beautiful mountains, waterways, trails surrounding us, and the overall community aesthetic make this place somewhere I never want to leave.
Outside of work, you will see me walking Mini and Mambo, my yorkies, in downtown Wilkes-Barre! You may also run into me shopping for clothes and shoes. On the weekends I love to visit wineries in the Poconos and take part in some outdoor adventures! During the warmer months, I'll be 'glamping' with the family at the Jersey shore. I love to be near the water. I'm looking forward to traveling more, but at the end of a trip, it is always nice to come back home to our corner of Pennsylvania.
Q: Why did you choose to get involved in the Chamber Ambassador Council and what are you most looking forward to?
A: Chances are, you know my co-host, Chris Bohinski. He has been a Chamber Ambassador for years. Watching him be involved and seeing the positive impact he and the other ambassadors have in the community, made it an easy decision. On PA live! we highlight many of the events that the Chamber has a hand in. Now, we can spotlight this community even more and continue making it a wonderful place for all of us to call home.
I cannot wait for the pandemic to fade to a memory. This past year has taught us all so much. I'm looking forward to attending community events in the future and getting to meet more people (face to face) who make this area such a thriving and happy place to work, live and play!
Connect with Haley and our Ambassador Council!
If you have a story idea or want to be featured on PA live!, reach out to her on social media or through email hbianco@pahomepage.com. And if you see her out and about, say hi!
For more information on getting involved in our Chamber Ambassador Council, click HERE!
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