Imma De Stefanis (`80), Ph.D., RSCJ, President Sr. Imma De Stefanis was born and raised in White Plains and is a proud graduate of GCA High School. She holds a BA in English from Pace University, an MA in Curriculum from UC Berkeley and a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from Boston College. She is a lifelong educator and published author who began her career at the middle and high school levels as both teacher and administrator. Her career later brought her to higher education where she held an administrative post-doctoral position at Harvard University and taught in the Psychology Department at Boston College. Imma returned to the area 10 years ago to become Academic Dean and later Vice President at Manhattanville College. She is the founding partner of Sherpa Ed Consulting which provide organizational management and leadership training services to non-profit organizations and schools, and serves as the Executive Director for the Stuart Center for Mission, Educational Leadership and Technology in Washington, DC. Committee Service: Executive Committee (Chair); Committee on Trustees; Finance & Investment Lisa Cribari (`72) Vice President After a career in media and publishing as a senior Human Resources executive, Lisa joined the Ford Foundation in 2009 as Chief Human Resources Officer, seeking new ways to contribute to the greater good and express her compassion for the underserved values she attributes to her years at GCA High School. Lisa has been a Trustee since 2009 and Cochaired GCA s Principal Search Committee whose efforts led to the appointment of GCA s newest principal, Sr. Laura Donovan. Lisa was born and raised in Westchester County, has a passion for youth development and community healthcare, and serves on the Board of Girls Inc. of Westchester County as well as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Northern Westchester Hospital. Lisa holds an MBA from Pace University s Lubin School of Business and a Bachelor s degree in French Literature from the College of New Rochelle. Committee Service: Executive Committee, Committee on Trustees Laura Finneran (`86), Treasurer Laura graduated from GCA in 1986 and has many ties to the GCA community. Laura was married in the Chapel of Divine Compassion and her oldest daughter, Georgina Finneran, graduated from GCA last June (2014). Laura holds an MBA from Iona College and a BSBA from Western New England University. She has over twenty years banking experience and is currently a consultant for JP Morgan Chase and also teaches Money & Banking at Concordia College in Bronxville, New York. Laura is an active member in the Catholic school community and is currently President of the Home School Association at Annunciation Elementary School in Crestwood, NY. Laura served on the GCA Board of Trustees from 2007-2010. During that time, she served as Chair of the Recruitment Committee and was a member of the Executive Finance Committee. Committee Service: Executive Committee; Finance & Investment Committee
Jennifer Mullery Talbot (`91), Secretary Jennifer was born in the Bronx, NY, raised in Yorktown Heights and currently resides in the Bronx. She earned her Bachelor s degree in History from Fairfield University and a master s degree in History from Fordham University. Jennifer is currently employed at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY where she serves as Dean of Studies for the College s undergraduate students. Jennifer begins her second term on the Board this year and has been an active alumna since her graduation in 1991. In more recent years she helped to organize an All-Alumnae reunion on GCA s campus and has also spoken at the Senior Class Dinner to welcome graduating seniors into the community of proud GCA alumnae and encourage their continued and active participation at GCA. Jennifer is one of four Mullery siblings who are proud alumnae of GCA Mary Ann 86, Sue 87 and Nancy 89. Committee Service: Executive Committee, Development Committee Janis Archer (`71) Janis Archer rejoined the Board in 2011 after serving a previous term from 2001-2004. During that initial term, Janis chaired the Board s Development Committee and redesigned, implemented and supported a new GCA High School website. She has remained an active member of the Development committee since 2001. Janis currently directs the Office of Strategy Management for the State s electric utility, the New York Power Authority. She has used her strategic planning expertise to facilitate the development of the GCA High School 2011-2015 Strategic Plan. Janis graduated as valedictorian from Good Counsel Academy in 1971. She earned her BA in Mathematics from Binghamton University, an MS in Computer Science from the Courant Institute of New York University and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University. In addition, she taught for many years as an adjunct at Pace University and Westchester Community College. Janis is a lifelong Westchester resident; she was born in North White Plains and currently resides in Chappaqua where she serves on the Board of Managers of her condominium complex, Chappaqua Commons. Committee Service: Development Committee; Strategic Oversight Committee
GOOD COUNSEL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL William Bozzone Bill was born in New York City and is currently a resident of White Plains. He teaches Global II Honors and AP Macroeconomics at Fordham Preparatory School. At CUNY Lehman he graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned a BA in History with a Minor in Secondary Social Studies Education. He went on to earn a Master s in Social Studies Education from Iona College. Bill s daughter, Laura, graduated from GCA High School in 2005. He led combined trips of Fordham Prep and Good Counsel to Europe in 2007 and 2008. Bill previously served on the Board of Trustees from Committee Service: Finance & Investment Lucille Coldrick, RDC, ( 54), RDC Leadership Team Liaison Sr. Lucille is a former GCA teacher of history and Religion (1963-1985), and principal (1978 1985); a former adjunct teacher of history at Pace University (1985 1989); former principal at Preston High School in the Bronx (1991 2008). A graduate of Good Counsel College, she earned a master s degree in Modern European History from Fordham University and holds permanent NYS certification in secondary school teaching and in supervision and administration. n. As teacher and administrator, she was awarded several professional grants for post-graduate study. A trustee of Stepinac High School in White Plains, 2009-2012, she was also a member of the Archdiocesan Evaluation Committee of Secondary Schools. She has served in various roles in formation and elective government within the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion; and, is currently a member of the Leadership Team of the Congregation, serving as its liaison to the Academy of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. Travel has included Austria, England, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, and the USSR. Eileen Curran (`90) Eileen was raised in Yonkers and currently lives in Eastchester. She earned a B.A. in Literature and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Pace University. Eileen works for Pfizer and has held many positions in the training department from Program Manager to Project Manager and most currently, Learning Operations Manager for Global Commercial Operations for North America. Prior to Pfizer, she taught English at GCA. Eileen has been an active member of the GCA community both as a student and an alumna. She served on the Board from 2005-2011. During this time on the Board, she served as the Chairperson of the Development Committee. After leaving the Board, she remained on the Wall of Fame Committee. Eileen is also member of the Board of Trustees of the RDC Counseling Center. Committee Service: Development Committee
Cynthia Devasia (`95) Cynthia is a Labor & Employment attorney at Koehler & Isaacs LLP where she represents labor organizations and employee benefit funds. As General Counsel, Cynthia provides regulatory compliance advice and litigates in state, federal and administrative tribunals. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law teaching Legal Writing and Lawyering Skills at Cardozo School of Law, her alma mater. As a member of the New York County Lawyers Association Law Related Education Committee, she lectures about legal topics in New York City schools. Cynthia has written numerous law related articles for firm, client and bar association publications. Cynthia holds Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Political Science and English from the State University of New York at Albany. She is a graduate of GCA High School ( 95) and helped orchestrate a multi-year class reunion. This is Cynthia s second year of Board service. She looks forward to continuing service with the diligence and compassion she learned at GCA. Cynthia hails from Port Chester, NY and resides in Manhattan where she is current committee member and former President of the Park Lane Condominium Board of Managers. Committee Service: Committee on Trustees Laura Donovan, RDC (`68) Principal Sr. Laura, principal of the Academy, is a Sister of the Divine Compassion who has been engaged in the Sisters mission and educational ministries for over forty years. Sr. Laura was born in Geneva, NY; her family later moved to White Plains where she remains a resident at Our Lady of Sorrows Convent. Her education and professional experience include a B.S. in Science from Good Counsel College/College of White Plains, an M.S. in Religious Education/Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago, an M.S. in Secondary School Science from Villanova University in PA, and a professional diploma in School Administration and Supervision, 7 12, from Manhattan College. Sr. Laura also holds New York State Certification in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, General Science, and Secondary School Administration. A graduate of GCA, Sr. Laura served as teacher, Science Department Chairperson, and Dean of Students at both GCA and Preston High School in the Bronx. Committee Service: Executive Committee, Finance & Investment
GOOD COUNSEL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL Bernice J. Houle, Ph.D. Dr. Bernice J. Houle is an Associate Dean in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) at Pace University. She has a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from New York University, an M.S. in Education and a B.S. in Mathematics from Pace University. Dr. Houle has been working at Pace since 1987, first in the Office of Undergraduate Admission, leaving there as an Associate Director, and then in the Seidenberg School at Pace. During her tenure at Pace, Dr. Houle has taught t for the mathematics and the information technology departments and assisted with curriculum development. She has also taken a lead role on a number of assessment and accreditation initiatives for the School. Since becoming a GCA Board member in 2008, she has been able to draw upon these experiences to assist in various initiatives at the high school. Dr. Houle s connection with GCA is an indirect one. As an undergraduate at Pace in the mid 1980 s, Dr. Houle would periodically come to the high school to tutor students in mathematics. She has been impressed with the sense of community and the spirit in the School ever since. Committee Service: Site Services/Feasibility Committee; Finance Committee Stefania Mignone (`99) Stefania, a lifelong resident of Westchester, was born and raised in Yonkers, NY. While a student at Good Counsel Academy, she was very active in sports and various clubs. After graduating from GCA in 1999, she attended Union College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Stefania is currently an engineer for the City of White Plains. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Stefania joins the Board as a new member this year. She has stayed active with GCA since her graduation in 1999, due to her love of GCA, and desire to give back to GCA in any way she can. She has spoken at the Senior Class Dinner to welcome graduating seniors into the alumnae community. Stefania has also organized two reunions for her graduating class (including her graduating class 10 year reunion). She currently resides in Yonkers, NY Committee Service: Site Services/Feasiblity Committee; Finance Committee
Bedina O Neill Bedina was raised in Carlow, Ireland where, as a secondary school student, she was taught at the all-girls Catholic school, St. Leo s College, run by the Sisters of Mercy. She came to New York for the first time in the summer of 1995, while on vacation from University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, moved permanently to New York some years later and currently resides in Westchester County with her fiancé Ramiro and their son, Daniel. Bedina graduated from UCC with a BA in Geography and Sociology and the title of College Scholar. On academic merit she achieved a full scholarship for post-graduate education at UCC and earned an M. Phil in Geography. During her time as a Masters student she gained experience tutoring and mentoring undergraduate geography students. After a career in Recreation and Corporate Management, she joined the Advancement Office at Convent of the Sacred Heart Greenwich, CT where she also taught Spanish in the Upper School. In February of 2013 she joined the Development Office at The French-American School of New York in Mamaroneck, where she is the Director of Alumni Relations and Deputy Director of the Capital Campaign. Bedina s affiliation with GCA is indirect and comes through a working relationship with Board President Imma De Stefanis, RSCJ. She joined the Board of Trustees at GCA in 2013 and has served as a Co-op Board member and president at Chester Hills in Port Chester (2005-2009) and as an ex-officio member of the Parents Association Board at CSH (2005-2013). Committee Service: Development Committee (Chair) and TBD Patricia Sheridan (`60) LCSW, RDC Presently Sr. Pat is the Director of the RDC Center for Counseling and Human Development, Inc., a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. She was born in White Plains and currently lives in White Plains. She is a graduate of Good Counsel Academy High School and values her experience there tremendously. She graduated from Good Counsel College, now Pace University and also holds a Master s degree in Reading from Manhattan College, a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Pace, and a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University. She has been serving on the Board of Trustees of Good Counsel Academy High School for the past three years. In addition she is an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Counseling Center, since 2008. Committee Service: Committee on Trustees (Chair)
Helen Adesuwa Uzamere, DPS, PMP Dr. Helen Uzamere is Director of Information Technology for the New York City Criminal Justice Agency. Born in London, England and raised in Nigeria, Dr. Uzamere is a certified project manager with over 25 years of technology experience on three continents. Her work has spanned academia, non-profit and corporate sectors, including Compaq Computers (now HP) and IBM. She has a Doctor of Professional Studies in Computing and an M.S. in Information Systems from Pace University s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, a Post Graduate Diploma in Computing and Artificial Intelligence from London UK s South Bank University and a B.S in Economics and Statistics from University of Benin, Nigeria. Dr. Uzamere is also an adjunct professor at Pace University, Westchester Community College and The College of Westchester, where she teaches a variety of courses including Project Management, Statistics, Math, Office Technology and Computer Networking. Dr. Uzamere s connection with GCA is through Dr. Sue Merritt who was a mentor during her graduate studies at Pace University. Committee Service: Site Services/Feasibility Committee