Michele Melligan is an alumnae of the class of 1992 at Mount Mercy Academy where she currently serves as the Head of School. Her passion to empower young girls and women brought her back to her roots at Mount Mercy in order to carry out the mission, not only to inspire the girls to be the best version of themselves, but also to set an example by being a leader and role model. Michele received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Fredonia State University and Master’s in Counselor Education and Educational Leadership at Canisius University. With over 25 years of experience in the field of Education, Michele is passionate in the social/emotional development of adolescents. In 2013, she developed a small business entitled Empower Girls Buffalo, an educational program designed for girls and young women and piloted a Mindfulness schoolwide program. She has taught professional development courses throughout WNY and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Buffalo. Above all, Michele is the proud mother of three daughters, who are all Mercy girls!

Molly Barrett graduated from Mount Mercy Academy in 2006. Molly earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH. She graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014 with her Master’s in Business. She worked in multiple roles in Supply Chain and currently is working as an Operations Manager in Transportation for Ingram Micro. Molly was a Leadership Buffalo Rising Leaders graduate in 2021, which provides an in depth view of critical issues facing the Buffalo community. Molly is a committee member for the Big Wig Campaign for Susan G. Komen and has served in numerous other volunteer roles throughout the years. She also was the assistant coach for Varsity basketball at Mount Mercy for several years and serves as a committee member for the annual golf tournament, which supports Mount Mercy student athletes. Molly’s great aunt was a Sister of Mercy and her Mother was a Mercy alum, as well as an active volunteer. We look forward to Molly continuing her commitment to get young alums involved in Mount Mercy and stay active with the school.

Sister Marilyn Brewer has been in the education field since 1965. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1963 and taught grades 1-8 in various elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. She has served as principal for St. John the Evangelist School, Our Lady of Mercy School, and Annunciation School in Elma. In 1998, she began teaching Theology to freshmen and sophomores at Immaculata High School for 13 years until her retirement in 2013. Presently she is the chair of Mercy Associates in Buffalo, Erie, Pittsburgh, and Rochester Dioceses.

Kara earned her BSBA from Duquesne University with a dual major in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. She returned to Buffalo in 2011 to work for her family’s company, WNY Imaging Systems. Starting as an account executive, and has since transitioned to the role of major account manager. She and her husband Drew live in South Buffalo with their two children, Brooks and Linnie.

Kate Callahan earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Miami, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Healthcare Policy from Harvard University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership and Adult Education from Barry University. Kate has a long list of accolades, including but not limited to the following: In 1999 she was the recipient of the Women's Business Journal's Women of Power Award and she was featured as one of Florida's 100 Women Leaders to watch in the "Miami Metro" Magazine; In 2006 she was the recipient of the American Red Cross Sara Hopkins Woodruff Chairman's Spectrum Award for community activism; In 2008 she won the Community Service award from the Miami- Dade County Health Department; In 2009 she was elected to a seat on the Coconut Grove Village Council and was Chairperson for 8 years; Kate was the Finalist of the Chamber of Commerce Health Care Heroes award; In 2012 she won the Trocaire College Distinguished Alumna Award for her work in Nursing and Community volunteerism; and in November 2015 Kate was recognized as a distinguished alumna of Mount Mercy Academy. Kate currently lives in Miami and has formerly lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Peru. These national and international perspectives will be invaluable for the Academy’s strategic planning.

Michael DeLellis, a 1965 graduate of Bishop Timon/ St Jude High School received his BS degree from SUNY Buffalo.  After 35 years of service, he retired from his position of Director of Operations at Health Research Inc., Roswell Park division. (Not-for profit corporation which administers research grants, contracts, and Roswell Park’s technology transfer program). Mike is an active parishioner of SS Peter and Paul Parish where he has served as President of the school's home school association and parish council. His Mt Mercy connection began with the enrollment of his daughter, Kimberly who graduated in 1994. Mike served as chair of the first Catherine McAuley Gala in 1994 and chaired the athletic department fundraiser in 1993. He has served as “the Voice of the Magic” for Mount Mercy basketball since 1991, chairs the Mount Mercy Athletic Department Committee, Golf tournament Committee and is a member of the Board of Trustees’ Strategic Planning and Marketing Committees.

Amelia is currently the Deputy Town Supervisor for the Town of West Seneca and a Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the Mount Mercy Board of Trustees and as the Respect Life Coordinator for Queen of Heaven Parish. Prior to that, she served as Director of Special Projects & Communications for Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns and as Secretary to the Ethics Board for the Town of West Seneca. Before working at the Erie County Clerk's Office, she spent three years as an Administrative Aide to Kearns when he was in the NYS Assembly. Amelia had volunteered with several nonprofits and parishes. She is a proud Mercy Alum. While Amelia was at Mount Mercy Academy, she served as a School Ambassador, Class President her freshman and sophomore year and as Student Government President her senior year. She graduated from Canisius College with a B.A. in Political Science and two minors in Business and Philosophy while serving as President of the Undergraduate Student Association and as a student member of the Board of Trustees, Board of Regents and Alumnae Board of Directors.

Jane Harrington is a practicing attorney with an office in West Seneca, NY. Her daughters, Olivia ’18, and Grace ’20 are both graduates of Mount Mercy. Jane graduated from Canisius College in 1995 and SUNY University at Buffalo School of Law in 1998. In addition to being an active Mount Mercy alumna, Jane is also a trustee for Our Lady of Victory Basilica and serves on its parish council, finance council, and school board.

Katlin Hess Dahl ’06 earned her BA in Strategic Communications and an MS in Organizational Leadership from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA. She has held various director-level marketing roles across higher ed, human resources and marketing technology companies and currently serves as the Director of Customer Marketing at G2, the world's largest and most trusted software marketplace. For her work in Customer Marketing Katlin has been awarded many accolades, including being named a top 100 Customer Marketing Strategist and one of the 23 to watch in 2023 by the Customer Marketing Association. Katlin is also a former board member of the Philadelphia-based Spruce Foundation and currently serves as a founding member of the Shea's Buffalo Young Professionals. Her grandmother, aunts, sisters and several cousins have also graduated from Mt. Mercy and she hopes her broad experience in recruitment and marketing will help support Mercy and its continued growth.

Eileen Leary is a graduate of St. Martin’s school (now known as Notre Dame Academy). With an AAS from Trocaire College in Radiologic Technology and a BS in Business Management from SUNY University at Buffalo, she has worked 41 years in healthcare. Retired in 2016 as the chief operating officer of Buffalo Medical Group, she continues to consult in healthcare. She has run numerous half marathons and the Dublin Marathon and, in retirement, enjoys travel, golf, pickleball, gardening, and keeping up with family and friends.

Sister Cristel Mejia, RSM. I am a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. I was born in Lima, but lived in Ica Peru. I was educated by the Spanish Dominicans and the Sisters of Mercy. I am a professor of Spanish at the State University of New York, Erie Community College. I have lived in the United States for about 52 years and in Buffalo for about 43 years. I have taught Spanish at all levels for over 36 years. I love to travel, cook and bake, especially apple pies! Education Background (degrees received and Institutions attended) Ph.D., University at Buffalo, Spanish Language and Literature, 2006 MA., University at Buffalo, Spanish Language and Literature, 2006 MS. Ed., Niagara University, 1987 B.A., California State University, Sacramento, 1982 Major: Spanish Minor: English as a Second Language for the Spanish Speaking A. A., Trocaire College, 1978 Memberships Catholic Health Mission Integration Committee of the Board Modern Language Association of America American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages Sociedad Nacional Hispánica, Sigma Delta Pi Honors / Awards: Diocesan Teacher of the Year, Buffalo, 1990 Teaching Experience SUNY Erie Community College: 2008 - Present Niagara University: 2007 – 2008 University at Buffalo: 2001- 2007 D’Youville College: 2006-2007 Mount Mercy Academy: 1982-83; 1987-2000

Sister Marian Mullen believes, as Catherine McAuley did, that “Education makes possible a life of dignity and self-worth.” Sister Marian spent much of her educational ministry at Trocaire College where she served in various roles in the Student Affairs Division. Before her retirement in 2022, in her position as coordinator of the Global Achievements Program she welcomed students who were born beyond the continental USA. Sister Marian previously served on the leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy and on the boards of Gerard Place and CHS Long Term Care. She is a current board member of Nativity Miguel Middle School. Sister Marian is eager to share the good news of Mount Mercy Academy and its achievements with the broad WNY community.

Thomas Sellers is Vice President of Charles J. Sellers & Co., Inc., an Insurance Agency/ Broker/Third Party Administrator located in Hamburg, N.Y. and celebrating 100 years in business. Tom is proud to be the father of four Mercy graduates. He is a graduate of Canisius College and SUNY University at Buffalo School of Law.

Tom Vivian is a graduate of Bishop Timon-St. Jude and Canisius College. He is the Vice President and Senior Portfolio Advisor for Merrill Lynch in Williamsville, NY. He holds multiple certifications and licenses: Certified Financial Planner (CFP ®); Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®); Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC ®); Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA ™); and Series 7 & 66 licensed financial professional. Thomas has a strong connection to Mount Mercy Academy, as his mother and two sisters are graduates and active members of our alumnae.

Brianna Wilson PHR is a 2008 graduate from Mount Mercy Academy. She went on to graduate from the University at Buffalo with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Upon graduation from UB, she began her career at Walsh Duffield Cos., Inc, a local independent insurance agency, serving as an HR Generalist. Brianna went on to work at Evans Bank, a local community bank, as an Employee Experience Business Partner, and was then promoted to the organization's Learning and Development Manager. During her tenure at Evans Bank, she obtained the Bank titles of Officer and Assistant Vice President, earned the President's Award for Integrity in 2020, and was the Chair of the Associate lead Diversity & Inclusion Council. Brianna currently works at Billtrust, a Global SaaS company, as a Senior Talent Development Partner where her work focuses on learning and development for upper level leaders and managers, employee engagement, talent strategy, performance management, and organizational change management. She also has past experience in employee relations, recruitment and staffing, benefits, payroll administration, and compliance. Brianna obtained the Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) certification from the HR Certification Institute - HRCI in 2015 and continues to uphold this designation. She most recently completed the Co-Active Training Institute Coach Program and is currently in the certification process and will be for the next six months to become a Certified Co-Active Coach where she will use this ability as an internal coach in order to develop and help others achieve their greatness. Some of Brianna's accolades and career achievements include participating as a panelist for the New York Bankers Association Women in Banking Conference in 2019. She participated in the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Executive Diversity & Inclusion Exchange in 2020. She was a recipient of the Business First IDEA Award in 2021, recognizing efforts around Inclusion, Diversity, Equity Awareness from her time spent focusing on launching enhanced DEI programs at Evans Bank. Most recently, she planned and executed a Leadership Summit in San Jose, California consisting of sixty of Billtrust's top executives and leaders where the Keynote Speaker was two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist Brandi Chastain! The event incorporated a philanthropic element where participants were able to build bicycles for the Boys & Girls Club of San Jose. Brianna has been an active member of the Mount Mercy Community, volunteering her time on the Alumni Board of Directors from 2015-2020. She first started as a Board Member, was elected Vice President in 2017, and served as President for a brief time in 2020. Brianna has also been active as an alumni guest speaker at the University at Buffalo School of Management. Presently she acts as the Board of Trustees Diversity Chair and Board Secretary.