Steeped in Mercy:
Graduate Profiles
In a world where values often seem negotiable and principles can feel like relics of the past, graduates of Mercy schools stand as beacons of unwavering compassion and integrity. These alumnae and alumni, shaped by the rich traditions and core values of a Mercy education, exemplify what it means to lead with empathy and purpose.
This issue of Mercy Impact delves into the diverse journeys of our Mercy school graduates, celebrating their impactful contributions and exploring how they continue to champion our Core Values in their lives and professions.
Mount St. Mary Academy
Little Rock, Arkansas
Errin Calhoun Stanger, Class of 1994
Errin Calhoun Stanger ’94, started her own nonprofit, Refuge Village, two years ago in order to care for the chronically homeless. In May 2024, she became CEO of Providence Park, an innovative housing initiative aimed at providing permanent, supportive, and sustainable housing to chronically homeless individuals in a community-focused environment. Once developed, Refuge Village will oversee Providence Park, which will feature 400 tiny homes with full support services, including medical, mental, and dental, and opportunities for income generation. Prior to her latest venture, Errin served 10 years in various leadership positions at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, a community makerspace in North Little Rock, where she made history by becoming the Hub’s first woman director in 2021. Over her decade with the Hub, she helped the nonprofit evolve into a state-of-the-art creative makerspace and center for youth and adults to learn new science, technology, engineering, arts, and math skills. Read more about Erin.
Mount Saint Mary Academy
Watchung, New Jersey
Cory Gagliano, Class of 2013
"I have always felt called to serve others and there were many opportunities to do so at the Mount, from volunteering at the local hospice to participating in clubs like Operation Smile. The Mount instilled in each of us the Mercy Core Values of respect, integrity, justice, compassion, and service. I strive to live by these values each day. Since graduating from the Mount in 2013, compassion and service have been particularly significant in my decision to switch my career to nursing." Read more about Cory.
Saint Catherine Academy
Belize City, Belize
Lisa Quan Chang, Class of 1984
Lisa Quan Chang, an alumna of Saint Catherine Academy (SCA 1984), exemplifies the core values instilled in her during her formative years at the school. Graduating as an Alumna 1984-1986, she fondly recalls her time at SCA as her "fondest years," emphasizing the respect and indebtedness she holds for the lessons imparted by her teachers. Her journey from a devoted student to a successful entrepreneur and community leader inspires current and future graduates of Saint Catherine Academy.
As Mrs. Lisa Chang emphasized in her poignant commencement address to SCA's Class of 2024, let's strive to live each day with purpose, to laugh in the face of adversity, and to love one another unconditionally. Let's carry these values with us as we venture into the world, knowing that they will continue to inspire us to make meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond. Read more in the SCA Newsletter, pages 8-10.
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women
Rochester, New York
Kristin Lynch, Class of 1984
Kristin Lynch serves as Family and Community Engagement Coordinator of the Get Ready to GROW (GROW) project at the Children’s Institute, an affiliate of the University of Rochester. GROW is a community project, spanning five counties in New York, managed by Children’s Institute, that provides free, comprehensive health and developmental screenings for children one to six years old, as well as navigation, follow-up support and resources to connect families with related services.
Kristin’s favorite part of her role at the Children’s Institute is approaching the GROW initiative with creativity and working collaboratively with her colleagues who specialize in early childhood. She feels the most impactful piece is the true joy is seeing children getting what they need and thriving. Learn more about Kristin!
Mercy High School
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Ariana Kabodian, Class of 2011
Ariana is a Certified Sustainability Professional (CSP) from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which is an internationally recognized sustainability reporting framework. She is also the author of “Forget Me Not: Armenian Genocide Recollections”, a tribute to her ancestors’ experiences during and after the Armenian genocide, published by Schuler Books. Her career in ESG and Sustainability aligns with the themes of her book, emphasizing the importance of preserving history and advocating for a better future. Through her partnership with the Paros Foundation, author proceeds from her book support children at the Debi Arach Children’s Center in Armenia, through providing children with shoes. Ariana credits Mercy High School for instilling in her a commitment to philanthropy through its required community service hours, and for inspiring her passion for writing. Guided by the meaning of “Debi Arach”, which in English translates to “moving forward”, she strives to make a positive contribution to society through integrity, kindness, and respect. Learn more about Ariana.
Merion Mercy Academy
Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Kimberly Marandola, Class of 2010
Kimberly Marandola ‘10 has centered her career on caring for the most vulnerable in our community. After working as a group counselor with teens in foster care for Valley Youth House, she transitioned to her current position as a fulfillment manager at Operation Warm, which manufactures and distributes new coats and shoes for children in need. She describes it as work that “appeals to my brain and my heart” and considers herself blessed to have a job that she truly loves and that allows her to live out the Mercy Core Values.
Mercy Academy
Louisville, Kentucky
Destiny Morris, Class of 2024
Destiny Morris, a graduate of Mercy Academy’s Class of 2024, lives out Mercy Education’s core values in every action she takes. She has been a constant voice for dignity and respect within not only our school community, but in the global Church. In 2022, she was one of 12 across the United States to be nominated as a founding member of the National Youth Advisory Council, a part of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. This gave Destiny the once-in-a lifetime opportunity to travel to the Vatican for a private audience with Pope Francis. She put her Mercy values into action, reaching out to fellow students for feedback as well as other youth in her home parish at the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Ultimately, Destiny wanted to share with Pope Francis that youth are not the future of the Church - “We are very much the present.” She is an extraordinary example of young alumnae taking the values of Mercy education out into the world with them.
St. John Bosco Vocational Training Centre
Hatfield, Manchester, Jamaica
Damian Simpson, Class of 1998
Damian shared: “As a past student of the former St John Bosco Boys’ Home in Manchester, now a Vocational Training Centre, I was taught with love, respect and humility. The mercy and compassion that Sister Susan Frazer showed me, lifted me up when my parents had forsaken me. When I was trained at the butcher shop, I did not know the value of the skill being taught to me, but now I can use it to add value to people’s lives. My training at Bosco allowed me to become the Regional Meat Supervisor in charge of all meat departments at Progressive Foods Supermarket Chain. My role extends far beyond the meat departments as I mentor school-leavers and conduct on-the-job training at locations all over the island. With counseling, the purchase of birthday gifts and other activities that build confidence, trust and friendship, I have become inspired by faith to live a life with compassion and generosity. It is my training during my time at Bosco that instilled the core values and elements of principled leadership which have now become embedded in my practice as a Supervisor.”
Sisters Academy of Baltimore
Baltimore County, Maryland
D’Nya Scott, Class of 2016
D'Nya is a recent graduate of McDaniel College, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Philosophy. Her passion is to be a voice to restore the broken criminal justice system by understanding both how the system works and also how to approach reform from a logical and reason-based approach. D'nya has applied to Carroll County for positions in the police and corrections departments. In 2024 D'Nya was nominated for the National Society of Leadership and Success in recognition of her student advocacy on campus.
Walsingham Academy
Williamsburg, Virginia
Christa Samaha, Class of 2005
“God continues to grow me out of my comfort zone as I take bold risks in my faith for Him! I have been called into Christian ministry to serve as a missionary on college campuses to students who need the light and joy of Jesus. I am excited about starting ministry specific to fraternity and sorority students on the UCLA and Pepperdine campuses in Los Angeles as I am very passionate about working with college students. This work brings me so much joy! It brings together my passion for Jesus alongside truly investing in the lives of college students who are wrestling with the difficult circumstances and distractions of the world. Greek life often has a negative reputation, but I want to show students they can be a part of Greek life and also follow the Lord!”
Mercy High School
Baltimore, Maryland
Mary Ellen Santiago Barbera, Class of 1968
For nearly five decades, Honorable Mary Ellen Santiago Barbera ’69, P’88, has lived Mercy values within Baltimore and the State of Maryland. While serving as a Baltimore City public school teacher and raising two young children, Mary Ellen earned her law degree. She quickly rose through the ranks, holding positions in the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the Governor and serving as a judge on the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and the Court of Appeals. Mary Ellen later made history when Former Governor Martin O’Malley appointed her as the chief judge in Maryland—the first woman to lead the Maryland judiciary.
With a passion for education, Mary Ellen has served as an adjunct faculty member at The American University Washington College of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law and as Distinguished Jurist in Residence at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School
Chicago, Illinois
Sophia Rowan, Class of 2024
Sophia Rowan ‘24 graduated from Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Chicago this past May, and she is already on her way to accomplishing extraordinary things and living out the Core Values of a Mercy Education. Sophia was officially appointed to The United States Air Force Academy at the end-of-year Honors Assembly. She is the second student in Mother McAuley’s history to be appointed, and she is one of approximately 25 students in the state of Illinois to be appointed this year. This appointment is equivalent to a four-year full-ride scholarship to a top-tier university, with the total cost of sending one cadet through four years being $416,000. Sophia will live out the Core Values by volunteering to serve her country for eight years after graduation. A sacrifice like this is exceptional at Sophia’s age, but she is a living example of how Mercy Education students are compelled by mercy and inspired by faith to use their principled leadership for the good of others.
Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall
Milford, Connecticut
Mary Kate Curran, Class of 1981
Mary Kate Curran resigned from her burgeoning law career to follow a rising passion: to bring quality education to the world’s poorest children. School the World, the international education organization she founded in 2009, serves nearly 12,000 children in Central America.
In 14 years, School the World has built 142 schools and 77 playgrounds, stocked 726 classroom libraries, empowered 10,194 parents to be their child's “first educators,” trained 7,604 teachers, and served over 170,847 children.
Since 2013 Kate has been leading School of the World service trips for Lauralton Hall students, teachers and even parents to Guatemala and Panama. Kate plans to empower the next generation of change agents through her World Changers program that’s already enabled 700+ U.S. high school students to participate in life-changing experiences. Read more.
Assumption High School
Louisville, Kentucky
Allison Ridenour, Class of 2003
Allison is an incredible example of living out the Mercy Education Core Values through the impact she left on Assumption and her work since graduating. During her time at Assumption, Allison’s drive and vision was instrumental in the creation of our Senior Mission Trip Program that challenges our students to step out of their comfort zone to serve others. Since graduating from Assumption, Allison has continued her service work through her role as the Director of Immersion Trips at Hand in Hand Ministries, where she is committed to serving others in need through coordinating hands-on group service work in the local, regional, and international communities. Currently Allison serves on our Alumnae Board as Secretary/Treasurer and is a member of the Events & Activities Committee.
St. Vincent's Academy
Savannah, Georgia
Cole York, Class of 2010
Cole York '10 is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization, Valley Camp Perú, based in Urubamba, Perú (close to Machu Picchu)! This camp began in 2018 after Cole noticed a lack of activities for children in the area. Valley Camp Perú teaches children and teenagers about leadership and protecting the environment. They also organize town events such as environmental education fairs, river clean ups, rock climbing experiences, community bike rides, and reforestation projects. Beyond their work in Urubamba, they travel to remote areas in Perú to offer specialized educational programs in indigenous communities. Cole noted that “Because of my strong foundation of leadership and heart of service formed at SVA, I have been able to make a difference in the Peruvian Andes where I currently live. I am so grateful to the Sisters of Mercy who taught me about the importance of giving back to my community.”
Convent of Mercy Academy 'Alpha'
Kingston, Jamaica
Hermine Metcalfe (nee Lee Hing), Class of 1962
Hermine is Compelled by Mercy. Not only is she a faithful Alumna and our Board Chair, she is also involved in many organizations which ensure the wellbeing of others. Most notably has been her dedicated service as the Chairman of St. Patrick's Foundation. The mission of St. Patrick's Foundation is to alleviate human suffering and to offer support to people in poor communities, empowering them to become self-reliant and responsible citizens.
Hermine is also on the Board of the National Health Fund, she is an extra-ordinary minister of the Eucharist, and she is active in the Kiwanis Club. Learn more about Hermine.
Mount St Mary Catholic High School
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Myra Mollman-Martinez, Class of 1985
MSM alumna Myra has released a new book titled Danielle: A Story of Surrender and Trust. In this touching narrative, Myra details her experience with the loss of her first child to leukemia. She shares her story to help others going through similar situations, offering hope and a path to growing their faith.
Mercy Montessori Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Taylor Lanton, Class of 2005
Throughout her academic and professional career, Taylor has committed herself to the service of others and helping the global community. After university, Taylor served for two years as a Rural Community Health Volunteer in the Peace Corps in southwestern Benin. Since 2016, Taylor has worked with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States in locations including the Philippines, South Sudan and Democratic Republic of the Congo. In July 2024, Taylor starts a new role as CRS’ Country Manager in Tanzania. Coming full circle, Taylor remembers participating in CRS’ Rice Bowl initiative every Lent as a student at Mercy Montessori and now she works for the organization that uses those Lenten alms for its humanitarian and international development programming.
Click here to view Taylor's acceptance speech for the Spirit of Mercy award.
Infant of Prague Catholic Nursery & Kindergarten
Mangilao, Guam
Sister Marian Arroyo, Class of 1960
Marian Arroyo was one of the first infants to be cared for and nurtured at Infant of Prague. She recalls she received her first inclination to become “like them” in religious life. From IOP, she attended Cathedral Grade School, the Academy of Our Lady and went on to complete her baccalaureate degree at Sacred Heart College (also sponsored by the Church Sisters of Mercy) in Belmont, North Carolina.
After entering the community in 1976, Sister Marian’s first ministry as a Sister of Mercy was to students with learning challenges at the Institute for the Study of Exceptional Children and Adults at Sacred Heart College. She taught at Catholic Schools in Charlotte and Gastonia, North Carolina, before pursuing a master's degree in liturgical music at the Catholic University of America. She served as Vocation Minister, director of music and liturgy in parish ministry and on multiple committees for the Congregation. She returned to Guam in 1996 and established the Division of Pastoral Ministries for the Archdiocese of Agaña and served two terms on the Guam community leadership teams. Sister composed the music for the first CHamoru Mass, Misan Santa Marian Kamalen. She also served in the Governor’s Peace Council for behavioral health and wellness and collaborated with government and non-government agencies to end abuse against woman, human trafficking, homelessness, and poverty. Working with Mercy Associates and lay counterparts, Sister Marian has participated in the outreach to incarcerated youth. Today, Sister Marian serves as Sister Life Minister and Administrator for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy on Guam.
Waldron Mercy Academy
Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Maeve Pinheiro, Class of 2017
Waldron Mercy Academy takes pride in nurturing compassionate and globally minded individuals, as exemplified by alumna Maeve Pinheiro ‘17, a current student at Boston College. Maeve recently returned to Waldron Mercy to share her inspiring journey in veterinary medicine with the 4th grade, particularly her enriching experiences studying and working in Thailand. Maeve's exposure to the value of mercy at Waldron Mercy Academy continues to resonate in her current studies and work. Her compassionate approach to veterinary medicine, coupled with a global perspective cultivated at WMA, exemplifies our commitment to nurturing engaged citizens of the world, and we are thankful for the time she spent visiting with our 4th grade students!
St. Catharine Academy
Bronx, New York
Nadia A. Seeteram, Ph.D., Class of 2008
Nadia Seeteram is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Columbia University's Climate School. Her current research is focused on understanding multi-sectoral policy solutions for reducing climate risks across U.S. housing markets. She received her Ph.D. in Earth Systems Science at Florida International University, where she researched the dynamic, long-term impacts of sea-level rise on coastal communities and their implications for future climate-related migration. Her doctorate research was supported by a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant and by the Volo Foundation. She has held research positions at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery. Nadia also received an M.S. in Environmental Studies from Florida International University and a B.S. in Psychology and Environmental Policy from Fordham University. She is also a Climate Security Fellow with the Council of Strategic Risks at the Center for Climate and Security.
The content of this publication is submitted by our Mercy schools. Thank you to all who contributed!