July – December 2022: NEPA Moves, an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, was formed in 2017 to improve quality of life for all people of Northeastern Pennsylvania through improved access to transportation. The Initiative is comprised of community stakeholders from across the region and seeks to find practical and proactive approaches to transportation issues, gaps, and barriers. The Institute completed a strategic plan with extensive input from NEPA Moves’ steering committee members. An electronic survey was conducted, in addition to a facilitated discussion to gain further input on the strategic direction and priorities of the initiative. This input was supplemented by a review of recent plans and studies pertinent to transportation in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These elements were synthesized into several pillars to guide the future work of NEPA Moves, and within these broad categories one or more actionable objectives were developed.
April 2020: The Institute assisted NEPA Moves in taking the next steps to engage the business community in the initiatives through research and convening assistance. The Institute conducted employee transportation surveys in nearly 10 businesses across the region.
Dr. Jolene Carey-Pace joined The Institute Team in 2021 as a Research Analyst. In 2023, she was named Senior Research & Policy Analyst. 
Sarah, a former Institute intern, joined The Institute in April 2021 as a Research Assistant. She started her new role as a Research Analyst in January 2024. 
Ooms is responsible for all facets of research, organizational strategy, and management. Ooms is an active principal investigator in all Institute research. Ooms has been nationally recognized as a leader in regional economic development. She turned that skill into a research institute to help other regions develop and prosper. Her strategic skills have allowed The Institute to expand its services to the private and non-profit sectors for research and analysis in community health needs assessments, strategic planning, market and feasibility studies, and economic impact analysis.
Jill Avery-Stoss joined The Institute in June 2018 to fill the newly-created role of Research, Data, Intern & Administrative Coordinator. She assists with the collection and management of data for purposes of ethical and efficient analysis. She visits partner campuses to market The Institute’s internship opportunities, and participates in event-planning logistical activities as well. In 2021, Jill was promoted to Director of Operations to reflect the diversity in her job description and the additional marketing and communication functions she successfully mastered in 2020. In 2022, Jill was named Chief Operating Officer after expanding into both research and administrative management functions. Jill is taking on project management, fundraising, and other executive leadership functions of the organization. In 2024, Jill Avery-Stoss assumed the role of President of The Institute, effective January 2025.