Carla McCabe, President & CEO of WVIA Public Media

Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Carla McCabe came to the Greater Wyoming Valley to serve as WVIA’s first-ever female President and CEO in the summer of 2020. During this tumultuous time not just for the station but for the world, Carla’s leadership and vision have allowed WVIA to grow, thrive, and meet the community’s rapidly evolving needs. Prior to coming to WVIA she was the Chief Operating Officer for Kansas City PBS and before that, she oversaw productions in the UK for the BBC, RTE and National Geographic. Since coming to the area Carla has served as a keynote speaker for the Schemel Forum, the PBS Young Professionals Workshop at the PBS Annual Meeting, participated in a series of recorded conversations on being a first-year female CEO for Public Media Women in Leadership and most recently, joined the board of directors at Misericordia University.

Nina DeiTos Zanon, Executive Director of the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association

Nina DeiTos Zanon returned to NEPA after completing her Bachelor Degrees at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. She went on to complete her Master of Public Administration from Marywood University and has been working in the nonprofit sector for the past 16 years. In her current role as Executive Director of Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, Nina has established a Kindergarten program for the organization, brought the school to achieve its highest enrollment in its 98 year history, improved existing programs and facilities and most of all, enjoys bringing the school’s mission to fulfillment with her tremendous staff each and every day. Nina serves on a number of nonprofit boards in the community including her current role as President of the Luzerne County SPCA and Secretary of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. Nina lives in Mountain Top with her loving and supportive husband, Scott Zanon, their beautiful daughters Cecelia and Olivia and their rescued dogs, Bartlebee and Hamlet.

Rachel Wiernusz, Mortgage Consultant at Community Bank, N.A.

Rachel Wiernusz is a Penn State Alumna that married her college sweetheart and proudly serves her alma mater on the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board. She is so a graduate and board member of Leadership Wilkes-Barre and she credits Leadership Wilkes-Barre for springboarding her love for being involved in our community. She has been in banking for almost 20 years and loves helping people through the process of buying, building, or refinancing their dream home.  Her greatest achievement is the honor of being a mom to her eight year old son, Luke.

Make sure to join us on September 14th at our in-person, fun, and safely done event at the Garden Drive In to celebrate these finalists from the comfort of your own vehicle and to hear the category winners announced live on stage. Click here to register today!