Events

The CHEMO Bag Inc.  with the help of the community proivdes care bags filled iwth items to provide comfort to men and women going through chemotherapy treatments.

Melissa Healy  

President, The CHEMO Bag Inc.  

With over 22 years of experience in the financial services sector at PNC N.A., Melissa Healy currently holds the position of Assistant Vice President and Client Service Advisor for PNC Private Bank. Previously, she excelled as a Branch Manager for 14 years. Melissa is dedicated to delivering exceptional service to her clients and her Private Bank team while actively contributing to her community. 

She has served on the board of The CHEMO Bag Inc. for more than 11 years, initially as Secretary and currently as President, where she is instrumental in expanding the organization’s reach from the Lehigh Valley to 24 infusion centers throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Her personal experiences, including the loss of her mother to cancer and the challenges faced by family members battling the disease, have profoundly fueled her passion for the organization and its mission. This commitment drives her efforts to ensure that the “Bag of Hope” comfort bags are delivered to as many chemotherapy patients as possible. 

Beyond her professional commitments at PNC Bank and The CHEMO Bag, Melissa enjoys golfing and cherishing quality time with her family, friends, and grandchildren.

Please RSVP $40/pp

Paul V. Conforti is the Managing Shareholder and Partner in Charge of the Tax Division at Riley and Company, Inc., a respected firm of business advisors and certified public accountants. With extensive experience working with regional businesses and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Paul has devoted much of his career to public accounting.

Paul graduated from West Scranton High School with honors and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Wilkes University. He later earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, further establishing his expertise in accounting and tax advisory.

Throughout his career as a Certified Public Accountant, Paul has served a wide range of clients, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public and private educational institutions, and government entities. His experience includes, conducting audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, overseeing complex tax preparation, representing clients during Internal Revenue Service and State agency tax examinations, and delivering strategic business consulting and advisory services. He has also been appointed by the courts as the accountant in charge of corporate liquidations and has testified as an expert witness.

In addition to his CPA designation, Paul was awarded the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), recognizing his expertise in government financial management. He also previously held a securities licenses reflecting his past qualifications in investment and financial advisory services.

Paul is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs, serving as President from 2011-2012 and as District Treasurer for Rotary District 7410 for many years.

In previous years, Paul has also served as a member of the Association of Government Accountants and the National Association of Forensic Accountants. His community involvement has included roles such as Commissioner for the Spring Brook Township Planning Commission, and Treasurer for Monroe County Head Start.

Paul resides in North Pocono, Pennsylvania, with his wife. Together, they have raised two children and enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.

Tara Mezzanotte is a community advocate and activist in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area, primarily known for her involvement in local infrastructure and environmental issues. She is a dedicated liaison working with both New Jersey and Pennsylvania transportation departments on significant regional projects. 

Her primary roles and activities include:

Founder of the I-80 Fence and Safety Concerns at the Delaware Water Gap Coalition: In this role, she advocates for comprehensive safety studies and evaluations of all possible alternatives for major I-80 projects near the Delaware Water Gap, particularly concerning rockfall mitigation and the highway's "S" curves.

Municipal Liaison for Smithfield Township: She has been appointed as the municipal liaison for NJDOT I-80 and PENNDOT Route 611 matters, representing the township's interests in these infrastructure projects.

Project Coordinator for the Paulins Kill Wild and Scenic River Initiative: She serves as Warren County's representative on the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Council, promoting the voluntary nature of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in preserving local waterways.

Community Volunteer: She is actively involved in local environmental commissions, such as the Knowlton Environmental Commission, and often posts about community events and issues on social media. 

Mezzanotte frequently collaborates with local government officials and agencies to ensure community concerns are heard in large-scale infrastructure projects. She has recent speaking engagements scheduled into late 2025 regarding the I-80/611 coalition's work. 

Len Lavenda has a background in corporate communications. His responsibilities have included technical writing, marketing communications, public relations and financial communications. Most recently, he was Vice-President of Communications for Sanofi Pasteur, where he managed media relations, product publicity, employee communications, community relations and philanthropy.

Now retired, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Red Cross of NEPA, including Board Chair from 2022 to 2025. He is also the Red Cross EmComm Lead for NEPA and the Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Monroe County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service).

Len holds a BS in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.