About Us
Learn about our mission, history, and leadership team.
Our Mission
- To maintain an administrative framework for planning neighborhood improvements;
- To be an advocacy group for Lewisburg neighborhoods;
- To plan for long-term reinvestment while preserving historic aspects of the community;
- To facilitate public/private communication and cooperation to strengthen community ties and improve neighborhood appearance, property values, safety, and quality of life; and
- To work in partnership with the Borough of Lewisburg to secure funds and to identify, prioritize, and oversee the implementation of neighborhood projects.
Our History
Lewisburg Neighborhoods works to make our community safer, more livable and more walkable.
Formed in 2006 to tackle frequent flooding and blight in the Bull Run Neighborhood, Lewisburg Neighborhoods has brought in more than $4 million in grant funding for projects like the Bull Run Greenway and the streetscape projects on S. 5th and 7th Streets.
We have since expanded the scope of our organization to encompass all of Lewisburg.
Board Members & Staff
The Lewisburg Neighborhoods Board of Directors consists of from 9 to 13 people who are committed to the mission of the organization. The board holds six public business meetings each year. In addition, board members assist with other aspects of the organization, participating in project committees, helping with events, supporting volunteer activities, and being community ambassadors for the organization.
According to the by-laws, two seats are reserved for Borough Council Members, one for the Borough Mayor, and two for Bucknell University representatives. The other seats are held by interested Borough residents, with the option of one at-large director who is not a Borough resident.
Fill out an application to be considered for a position on the board.
BOARD MEMBER
KENDY ALVAREZ
The Honorable Kendy Alvarez is the Mayor of the Borough of Lewisburg. She works in finance and housing and is a Lewisburg and Bucknell University alumna. She has great enthusiasm for all things Lewisburg.
BOARD MEMBER
STEPHEN APANEL
Stephen Apanel works full time at Bucknell University and lives in the borough. His wife and three daughters enjoy the life Lewisburg has to offer. From biking the rail-to-trail, to dining at the local restaurants, to enjoying the parks in town, he loves every minute of borough life.
BOARD MEMBER
JESSIE LEE BACH
Jessie Lee, a proud Lewisburg native, earned her international business degree from Bloomsburg University and furthered her studies abroad at Essex University, specializing in marketing strategies. Now, as the Digital Marketing Strategist at Orontes Yogurt, she dedicates her efforts to campaign building and community engagement. In her free time, Jessie Lee volunteers at local community events and lends her skills in content creation to assist with community initiatives. She enjoys cycling, outdoor activities, engaging in conversations, and, of course, making new friends.
BOARD MEMBER
MICHAEL DERMAN
Michael Derman retired after working for 30 years as an educational-technology trainer and data-system developer for the CSIU. After graduating from Bucknell University in Philosophy, he worked as a landscape-gardener and actor in San Francisco, where he met his wife, Pat Parker, and moved back to Lewisburg in the early 1980s. Mike currently serves on the Lewisburg Borough Council and the Central Susquehanna Fire and Emergency Services Board.
BOARD MEMBER
Ted Hamilton (he/him) is an English professor at Bucknell and an attorney working in the climate justice movement. Since moving to Lewisburg in 2022, he’s enjoyed the Borough’s terrestrial and aquatic attractions, and is hoping to make the town a safe, equitable, and healthy place for future generations.
BOARD MEMBER
SAMANTHA PEARSON
Samantha Pearson has been involved in various capacities with Lewisburg Neighborhoods since she moved to the Borough in 2003, initially with the Lewisburg Neighborhood Task Force and later with the non-profit that evolved from it. Her background is in design and planning with a special interest in sustainability. She currently runs PA WalkWorks, a statewide active transportation program promoting public health through expanded walking and wheeling networks to safely access everyday destinations.
BOARD MEMBER
DIANNE POWERS
Dianne Powers grew up in Lewisburg and moved to Massachusetts in 1972 (after Agnes). Following her retirement as Register of Deeds for the County of Dukes County she returned to Lewisburg and lives a block from the house she grew up in. While in Massachusetts she was active in Town and County governance. She is currently a member of the Borough Council representing Ward 2 and an active member of the Green Team.
DIRECTOR
DEBRA SULAI
Debra Sulai moved to Lewisburg in 2015 and previously served as a board member of Lewisburg Neighborhoods and represented Ward 3 on Lewisburg's Borough Council. She began her career working in municipal government in Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon, her hometown, which gave her experience in transportation and land use planning, public safety and criminal justice, affordable housing, and social service provision, as well as an enduring passion for local government. She taught ethics at the university level in Chicago, Albany, NY, and at Bucknell and Bloomsburg Universities. In her leisure time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, travelling, baking, and reading. Debra is thrilled to be leading Lewisburg Neighborhoods through its next chapter and hopes to ensure that LN's resources are available to all residents.
BOARD MEMBER
SHARON WEAVER
A native of North Carolina, Sharon moved to Lewisburg in 2020 and quickly become involved in community life. She is the life of N 7th Street! In her work as a consultant, Sharon works to create healthier organizations by addressing the need for spiritual guidance within the workplace.
BOARD MEMBER
LORI WILSON
Lori Wilson is the Executive Director, Business Services at Bucknell University and has worked at Bucknell over 30 years. She has lived in the Borough of Lewisburg with her husband, Marty, and their 3 sons since 2001 and is also involved with the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and The Campus Theatre.
Our Partners
We are grateful to our partners and sponsors.
Members of the community working together to preserve natural settings and streetscapes, strengthen ties among neighbors, and improve the quality of life in Lewisburg for residents and visitors.
GET IN TOUCH
Lewisburg Neighborhoods
P.O. Box 298
Lewisburg, PA 17837
PRIORITIES
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