became Mount Mercy Academy’s 16th Principal in the summer of 2020, becoming Head of School later that year. Michele holds a master’s degree in Education and an Advanced Leadership Certificate, both from Canisius College. She has over 20 years of experience as a school counselor in the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda school district and is the former executive director of Empower Girls Buffalo. Michele is a native of South Buffalo, where she currently resides with her husband and three girls, one of whom currently attends and two who are future Mercy girls!

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.

earned her BSBA from Duquesne University with a dual major in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. Returning to Buffalo in 2011, she began her career with her family’s company, WNY Imaging Systems. Starting as an account executive, she has since transitioned to the role of major account manager. She and her husband Drew live in South Buffalo with their son Brooks and dog Patch.

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.

is the retired Director of Operations at Health Research Inc., Roswell Park division. (Not-forprofit corporation which administers research grants, contracts, and Roswell Park’s technology transfer program). His daughter Kimberly graduated in 1994. Mike has served as chair of the first Catherine McAuley Gala in 1994 and chair of the athletic department fundraiser in 1993. Presently, he serves as “Voice of the Magic” for Mount Mercy basketball since 1991, chairs the Mount Mercy Athletic Department Committee, and is a member of the Board of Trustees’ Institutional Advancement/Marketing committee.

served as a school ambassador, class president and student government Meet the Board of Trustees www.mtmercy.org 21 president her senior year. She graduated from Canisius College while serving as president of the Undergraduate Student Association and as a member of the Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, and Alumni Board of Directors. Amelia is currently Chief of Staff to the West Seneca Town Supervisor and a Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 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. She previously spent three years as a NYS Assembly aide to Kearns. She has been active in the pro-life movement having spearheaded a “Pregnant on Campus Initiative” at Canisius. Amelia also speaks to young people at local parishes about the pro-life perspective.

is a practicing attorney with an office in West Seneca, NY. Her daughters, Olivia ’18, and Grace ’20 are both recent graduates of Mount Mercy. Her son, Ryan, is currently a junior at St. Francis High School. 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

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.

is a graduate of Trocaire College, California State University, and the University at Buffalo where she received her Ph.D. in Spanish Language and Literature. Sister Cristel has over 36 years of teaching experience. She taught Spanish at Mount Mercy Academy from 1982-1983, then again from 1987-2000, and was the recipient of the diocesan teacher of the year in 1990. She moved on to teach Spanish at the University of Buffalo and D’Youville and is now teaching Spanish at ECC South and Niagara University. Sister Cristel is a member of the Modern Language Association of America, the American Council of the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and the Sociedad Nacional Hispánica, Sigma Delta Pi

believes, as Catherine McAuley did, that “Education makes possible a life of dignity and self-worth.” Sister Marian has spent much of her educational ministry at Trocaire College where she has served in various roles in the Student Affairs Division. In her current position as coordinator of the Global Achievements Program, she welcomes 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 NativityMiguel Middle School. Sister Marian is eager to share the good news of Mount Mercy Academy and its achievements with the broad WNY community.