The Leadership Northwest program is designed to develop resourceful, motivated business leaders who are committed to making Northwest Connecticut a better place to live and work.  Participants spend one day a month for nine months developing leadership skill and learning about the community and its institutions.  The Leadership Northwest program, currently sponsored by Torrington Savings Bank, culminates with group projects that positively affect the community of Northwest Connecticut.

Projects completed by previous graduates include:

The Silent Servant Award (2004)
Recognition in The Register Citizen for those in our community who give of their time and talents
Monica Baird, Northwest Community Bank; Katheryn Fabiaschi, Litchfield Woods Health Care Ctr.; Michelle Frankland, Petrovits, Patrick, Smith & Co.; Jake Thompson, Fairchild Auto-Mated Parts, Inc.

Habitat for Humanity How-To Guide (2004)
A comprehensive guide of how to go about the process of building housing for those in need
Joyce Muse, Rainbow Press; Sherie Power, Kelly Services; Kurt Williams, BD

Open the Doors to Your Library and See What’s Inside (2004)
A literacy awareness program that brought together over 1,200 school children.
Susan Cook, The LaPorta-Cook Funeral Home, Inc.; Joseph Malerba, Howmet an Alcoa business; Paul McLaughlin, Litchfield Bancorp; Susan Suhanovsky, Torrington Water Company

YIKES! (2004)
A forum bringing together high school students and non-profit agencies to explore volunteer opportunities
Denise Dubay, BD; Lynn Kelly, The Gleeson Mortuary; Kristen Reed, The Warner Theatre; Jeffrey Smith, Petrovits, Patrick, Smith & Co.

Litchfield County’s Informational CD (2004)
A marketing tool highlighting how great it is to live, work and play in the Northwest Corner.
Barbara DeBellis, Friends of Main Street; David Oliver, The First National Bank of Litchfield; Sabrina Roper, Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts; LuAnn Zbinden, BD

Passport to the Arts (2004)
A guide to local arts and culture.
Aurora Daly, Travel Daly; D.J. Murphy, Inkredible Stuff Marketing; Elisa Schumacher, Sharon Hospital

Project LEAD (2005)
A school-to-career program for high school students
Santos Cayetano, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters; Cindy Donaldson, Brookhollow Marketing; Debra Kenneson, Petrovits, Patrick, Smith & Co.; Carol A. Zuck, The Litchfield Insurance Group

Dress for Success (2005)
A clothing drive for less-privileged women entering the workforce
Lewis Chappel, BD; Christine McPherson; Elizabeth Muzzicato, Northwest Community Bank; Christina Oneglia, O&G Industries, Inc.

Welcome Center (2005)
A Welcome Center kiosk
Diane R. Bolduc, Diane R. Bolduc Consultant; Matthew Koehler, BD; Gayle Morawski, Northwest Community Bank; Victoria Basile Pearson, Turri, Inc.

Northwest Corner Essay Contest (2005)
Essay Contest for area high school students on why the Northwest Corner is a great place to live.
Anita Canfield Rosa, NW CT’s Chamber; Darren Farrington, The Warner Theatre; Gary Koeppel, Howmet Castings an Alcoa business; Debra Telman, Litchfield Bancorp.

EMERGE (2005)
A program to increase homelessness awareness
Nancy Cannavo, The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital; Kathleen Caron, People’s Bank; Margaret A. Delaney; Nicholas McGuffie, New England Bark Mulch

Prep for Success (2005)
An interviewing skills program for area college students
Sherri Brennan, NW CT’s Chamber; Robert A. Britton, The First National Bank of Litchfield; Linda F. Milkowski, Northwest Community Bank; Michael Simatis, BD

Downtown Mayfest (2006)
Daylong festival designed to enhance economic development in downtown Torrington
Theresa Carr, Inspired Touch; Melanie Gass, Centerpoint Solution; Jeremy Hall, People’s Bank; Sharon Shoppell, Howmet Castings

Our Community Our Responsibility Poster & Essay Contest (2006)
Poster and essay contest for 7th Grade students at St. Anthony School planned to help students think about environmental issues.
Kevin Knowles, NW Workforce Investment Board; Karen Lopardo, Torrington Savings Bank; Chana Monahan, Greenhouse Graphics; Candee Palmer, Northwest Community Bank

YES! Youth Energized for Seniors (2006)
Programs organized to foster positive connections between youth and senior citizen communities.
Rene Fisher, The First National Bank of Litchfield; Lance Leifert, Conquest Consulting; Paul Merritt, New England Bark Mulch; Tricia Poirier, NW CT’s Chamber

Earth Day NW: Keep it Clean, Keep it Green (2006)
Regional Earth Day clean up with trees donated to area towns.
Cliff Baird, Prudential Northwest Realty; Art Lampron, Howmet Castings; Suzanne Risley, Republican-American; Margret Warner, Litchfield Bancorp

Download an application here.

Lasting Impression (2007)
Recruitment of high school students to augment the annual Northwest Connecticut Read Aloud Program.
Kevin Frieswick, Alcoa Howmet; Ruth Gonzalez, Northwestern CT Community College; Carol Monroe, Northwest Community Bank; Amy Ouellette, The First National Bank of Litchfield

Historical Walking Tour of Main Street Winsted (2007)
Creation of a walking tour of the historical Main Street corridor in Winsted including brochure and audio guide.
Chris Goodall , Alcoa Howmet; Carol Leichner, GoodWorks Insurance; Rose Rovero, Northwest Community Bank; Warren Sparrow, Prime Time House, Inc.

Children Fighting Hunger Project: Food for Thought Throughout the Year (2007)
Created a calendar to raise awareness of hunger in the Northwest Connecticut area.  All calendar sales will be donated to eight area food banks.
Joan Chipoka, Torrington Savings Bank; Susan Dickinson, Litchfield Bancorp; Kevin Eddy, Northwest Connecticut YMCA; Mike Hall, New Opportunities; Heather Staley, Bearingstar Insurance