May 24, 2018 4 min read

Growing up in Charleroi, Leanna Spada was instilled with a strong sense of community and a love of the Mon Valley. “Growing up with a family so strongly rooted in the community, I have always been taught to give back and to help in the betterment of your community in any way possible and that is what I’m here to do,” she says.

Spada is stepping into a leading role now as she takes the reigns as executive director of the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. “My heart is and always will be in the Mon Valley, it is my home and more than anything I want to continue all of the great work that has been done by the MVRCC to make our community somewhere future generations will want to live and plant roots.”

Spada’s roots can be traced back to Charleroi High School and to California University of PA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration on human resource management. From there, Spada launched a business career that includes experience in the human resources field and then owning a retail business in Charleroi called The Country Cottage, which specialized in home decor, antiques and gifts. For the past 13 years, Spada has been a licensed insurance agent for Nationwide Insurance. Along the way, she got married and started a family. Spada and husband, Derek, have two sons, ages 12 and 5.

“I still live in Charleroi – actually across the street from where I was raised,” she adds.

The change in leadership at the MVRCC is the first in more than two decades. Debra Keefer served as executive director for 21 years until her retirement in April. During Keefer’s tenure, the chamber regionalized in 2001 and changed its name from the Greater Charleroi Chamber of Commerce to MVRCC. Membership is now up to almost 340, which is nearly triple what it was in the late 1990s. Keefer oversaw several chamber economic development projects, including the purchase of dilapidated properties in downtown Charleroi to create a $1.3 million senior housing project.

“I am truly honored to be following in the footsteps of an inspirational, dedicated leader such as Deb Keefer,” Spada says. “With the help of the board and Deb’s mentoring, I hope to make this a seamless transition.”

Spada has been working at the chamber in an administrative capacity since February and has been learning the ropes from Keefer. “Working with Deb these last few months has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Spada says. “The abundance of wisdom and guidance she has given me is priceless not only as a business mentor but as a human being.”

And she admits she has some big shoes to fill with Keefer’s retirement. “Deb truly loves her job, she cares and wants to make a difference. I will try my best to live up to those standards.”

One of Spada’s first duties is to oversee the MRVCC’s largest annual event, the golf outing at Nemacolin Country Club. After that, the focus shifts to economic growth in the Mon Valley.

“I have so many visions for our chamber’s future,” Spada says. “I think it is so important as a chamber to keep growing, be progressive and always look ahead.”

A big part of that vision is to grow the sense of unity among Mon Valley businesses. “We will continue to foster a cohesive relationship between all businesses in our area,” she says. “Together, we can do much more than we can alone. We will also promote new business development. It is crucial to grow the Mid Mon Valley area.”

Most of all, Spada says she’s embarking on this new role with a sense of excitement and with outstanding input and support from chamber members.

“I am very excited about embarking on this new journey with the great people involved with this Chamber,” she says. “Everyone has been overwhelmingly welcoming and supportive.”

That said, Spada realizes this new role will take lots of hard work and a certain passion.

“Yes, it is plenty of work and I think in a position such as this, passion for our community is not just a plus but a necessity,” she says. “I do feel very passionate about the Chamber, what it represents and fosters as well as the Mon Valley as a whole. I can’t wait to see what the future holds and I will be working very hard to help our Mon Valley flourish in every way possible.”