
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2025

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2025
Trailblazer Award
Jean Hynes '87
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner
Wellington Management
Leadership Award
Melissa Nelson '06
Director of Nurse Midwifery Division
Massachusetts General Hospital
Community Impact Award
Arielle Gaines '07 Educator
Match Community Day Charter School
Dear Fontbonne Community,
For 70 years, Fontbonne has been steadfast in its mission of educating women of faith, academic excellence and service shaping young women into leaders who inspire change in the world. This year’s 70th Anniversary Gala is not only a celebration of our past but a testament to the enduring mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph that continues to guide us forward.
At Fontbonne, we believe in the power of an all-girls education, where each student is empowered to find her voice, embrace her strengths, and lead with courage and conviction. Rooted in the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we are called to serve the dear neighbor without distinction, fostering a community where young women uplift one another and make a profound impact on society.
On this special evening, we will honor three extraordinary alumnae who exemplify the values of Fontbonne in their professional and personal lives: Jean Hynes ’87, CEO of Wellington Management, Melissa Nelson ’06, Director of Nurse Midwifery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Arielle Gaines ’07, Educator at Match Community Day Charter School.
Their achievements stand as a testament to what is possible when young women are given the confidence and encouragement to lead. Through our alumnae, we see the impact of a Fontbonne education—one that empowers young women to be voices of change, advocates for justice, and compassionate leaders in every field.
This evening is also dedicated to ensuring that every young woman who dreams of a Fontbonne education has the opportunity to make it a reality. 74% of our families receive scholarships and through our Light of Life Scholarship and Financial Aid Fund, we provide the critical resources needed to ensure that every girl can attend Fontbonne. Your generosity tonight will help illuminate the path forward for future generations of women of courage.
As we honor our past and ignite the future, we recognize that Fontbonne’s mission thrives because of the support of our alumnae, families, adult learning community, and friends. Thank you to our Board of Trustees, our 70th Gala Committee and our Gala Co- Chairs: Michele Carroll P’26 and Sabrina Manno P’22, ‘26 for all of their unwavering support of Fontbonne.
I invite you tonight to reflect on all that we have accomplished together and to look ahead with hope and optimism for our future. Let us raise our voices in gratitude, in unity, and in the power of young women to change the world.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Maura Spignesi Head of School
Dear Friends of Fontbonne,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, welcome to Fontbonne’s 70th Anniversary Gala.
For seven decades, Fontbonne has stood as a beacon of excellence, empowering young women with the knowledge, confidence, and values to create meaningful change in the world. More than just a school, Fontbonne is a community rooted in faith, courage, and compassion—one that nurtures students to achieve great things, guided by the strong foundation they build here.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of the Sisters of St. Joseph, whose vision and dedication have shaped Fontbonne for generations. We are grateful for their commitment and remain dedicated to carrying their legacy forward for the next 70 years and beyond.
This incredible evening would not be possible without the commitment and hard work of so many. A heartfelt thank you to our Gala Co-Chairs, Michele Carroll P’26 and Sabrina Manno P’22, '26, and to the entire 70th Anniversary Gala Committee. Your leadership, time, and passion have made tonight a truly special celebration of our past, present, and future. We are also grateful to our Mission Advancement team for their tireless efforts in making this event a success.
Tonight, we celebrate and congratulate our three distinguished honorees—Jean Hynes, CFA ’87, Melissa Nelson ’06, and Arielle Gaines ’07— you are women of courage made strong.
Philanthropy plays a vital role in sustaining Fontbonne’s mission. It allows us to provide scholarships, enhance academic programs, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Yet, less than 2% of philanthropic dollars go to all-girls institutions, making your support tonight more critical than ever. Your generosity this evening and beyond fuels our ability to shape future leaders who will make a lasting impact on their communities and the world.
Thank you for being a part of the Fontbonne family and for your partnership. Together, we will uphold the traditions and values that make this institution so special.
Sincerely,
Denella J. Clark, P'07 Chairwoman, Fontbonne Board of Trustees
Michele Carroll P'26
Sabrina Manno P'22, '26
Carmen Alvarado P'21
Lisa Aptowitz '79
Chris Carpenter P'26
Ann Cloherty P'12, '18
Veronique Chisholm '07
Morjieta Derisier '04
Maureen Gemma '78, P'11, '13, '15
Kerry Kates King '86
Regine Paul '04
Denella J. Clark P’07, Chairwoman Boston Arts Academy Foundation, CEO
Susanne O’Neil ‘87 P’21, Vice Chairwoman Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General
Katherine Shute, Secretary
Retired Brockton High School Dept. Chair, Fmr. Laboure College Adjunct Faculty
Christine Reardon MAHS '06, Chair of Finance Com.
Director of Internal Audit Massachusetts Port Authority, Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Charlie Drane, Chair of the Enrollment Com. ElevateEd Consulting, President
Sharon Brewster ‘95 Brewster Branding, CEO
Veronique Chisholm ‘07 Loomis, Sayles, & Company, L.P., Strategic Investment Marketing Analyst
Ann Cloherty P’12, ‘18
Philanthropist, Retired Financial Services Professional
Margaret DeMoura MAHS '10 Boston Bar Association, Director of Sponsor Engagement
Joanne Gallagher, CSJ ‘66 Sisters of Saint Joseph, Director of Communications
Nicole Kfoury MAHS '05 Lovin’ Spoonfuls, INC., A Food Rescue, Program Director
Michael McCorvey Regis College, Center for Inclusive Excellence, Chief Diversity Officer
Doris Morales P’07 ESAC, Business Manager
Jackie Salas
The Roxbury Latin School, Director of Community and Culture
Nora Wilkins ‘98
Wellesley High School, Science & Technology Department Chair
Antoinette Antonio is co-anchor of WCVB’s EyeOpener newscasts (4:30AM7AM) with co-anchor Doug Meehan, chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon, and traffic anchor Katie Thompson. Antoinette also anchors NewsCenter 5 at Noon (12N-12:30PM) with Jessica Brown.
Antoinette joined the NewsCenter 5 team in June of 2013. Since she arrived in Boston, she’s been lucky enough to cover victory parades for three Patriots Super Bowl wins as well as two Red Sox World series wins. Antoinette has also been honored with a NATAS Boston/New England Emmy® Award for her role anchoring during breaking news coverage of the Apple Store crash in Hingham in 2022.
Antoinette came to WCVB from KOB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was a morning anchor and reporter. While in Albuquerque for approximately seven years, Antoinette covered everything from wildfires to floods to snowstorms and even hot air balloon crashes. She also interviewed Barack Obama during his campaign for President. She was part of several team Breaking News awards from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. If you’re a fan of the TV show “Breaking Bad” you might also recognize Antoinette from her role as ‘News Anchor’ in two episodes. It was a real stretch!
Antoinette started her broadcast career as a morning news anchor and reporter at KWES Midland/Odessa, Texas. During her time there she received awards for anchoring, general assignment reporting as well as sports reporting.
A graduate of University of California, Irvine, Antoinette earned degrees in English and International Studies. She is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Working the morning shift and being a mom doesn’t allow for a lot of free time but in her past life Antoinette enjoyed traveling, reading on the beach, snowboarding in the winter, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and checking out all of Boston’s amazing restaurants. Antoinette lives outside of Boston with her husband Jeremy and their sons Greyson and Weston.
A S p e c i a l T h a n k Y o u t o O u r
G a l a S t u d e n t S p e a k e r !
L E N Y A N G I
M A R T I N E Z ‘ 2 6
Cocktail Reception
Networking & Student Exhibits
Welcome
Antoinette Antonio, Anchor, WCVB Channel 5
Alumnae Choir Performance
Prayer
Sister Marilyn McGoldrick, CSJ
Remarks
Maura Spignesi, Head of School
Denella J. Clark, P’07, Chairwoman
Dinner
Make an Impact
Lenyangi Martinez ‘26
Harrison Stebbins
Presentation of Awards
Closing
AVERAGE ANNUAL NEEDBASED GRANT AWARD 74% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 49% OF STUDENTS ARE BIPOC
100
TOTAL NUMBER OF SERVICE HOURS PERFORMED BY GRADUATION
$9,900
12 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS SINCE 2016
100% GRADUATION & COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE RATE
95% OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE SPORT, CLUB OR EXTRA-CURRICULAR
33% OF FONTBONNE SENIORS ARE ENGAGED IN DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES
On behalf of the 70th Anniversary Gala Committee and Fontbonne, thank you!
Light of Life Sponsor
Jean Hynes '87 & Mark Condon
Igniting Tomorrow Sponsor
Friend of Fontbonne
Women of Courage Sponsor
Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston
Brendan & Kerry Swords
Dear Neighbor Sponsor
Ann & Kevin Cloherty P'12, '18
Prominent Builders
Susanne '87 & David O'Neil, P'21
Fontbonne Community Sponsor
Interstate Rental Service
Mary Louise Larkin '69
Nancy & Tim McDonald P’13, ‘17, ‘21
Related Beal
The Epiphany School Inc.
Future of Fontbonne Sponsor
Cherina Wright '07
Crown Adolescent Health LLC
Denella J. Clark P’07
Doris Morales & Ponce de Leon Gaines P’07
Emmanuel College
Friends of Fontbonne
Gaines Electric & Contracting
Kathy & Michael Heraghty P’25
Kerry A. King ‘86
Martin Richard Foundation
Maura & John Spignesi
New Commonwealth Racial Equity & Social Justice Fund
Nora Wilkins ‘98
Regan Communications Group
Rockland Trust
The Board of the Corporation for Sponsored Ministries
Theresa O'Toole ‘07 & Ross Macomber
The Pioneer Class of 1958 congratulates all the women of courage who have followed in our footsteps for 70 years.
Y o u r d e d i c a t i o n t o m e n ’ s e d u c a t i o n a n d
y o u r a u t h e n t i c p e r s o n a l
l e a d e r s h i p a r e i n s p i r i n g .
W i t h h e a r t f e l t g r a t i t u d e ,
w e t h a n k t h e d e d i c a t e d f a c u l t y ,
a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , c o a c h e s , g u i d a n c e
c o u n s e l o r s , c a f e t e r i a s t a f f , a n d a l l
t h e i n c r e d i b l e a d u l t c o m m u n i t y
m e m b e r s w h o h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d t o
7 0 y e a r s o f F o n t b o n n e e x c e l l e n c e .
W i t h a p p r e c i a t i o n ,
y o u r g r a t e f u l A l u m n a e
S C H O O L
is proud to sponsor Fontbonne’s 70th Anniversary Gala! Congratulations on this milestone!
We are honored to be partners in this work.
Wel lesley Col lege cong rat u lates
J EAN H YN ES on receiving t he 2025 T R AIL BLAZER AWARD and applauds all of this year’s honorees
A leading public sector law firm providing comprehensive legal services to Massachusetts schools, municipalities, and public entities
Labor & Employment Law
Municipal Law
Special Education and Student Services
Civil Rights Law and Investigations
Michelle Allaire McNulty
Caitlin Leach Mulrooney
Peter C. Sumners
Marianne M. Peters
Paige L. Tobin
Joshua R. Coleman
Nancy J. Campany
Kathleen D. Mulligan
50 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 202
Braintree, MA 02184
Phone (781) 848-1850 Fax (781) 849 -0749 www.mlmlawfirm.com
Congratulations for 70 years wonderful years!
www gemmalawoffice com
35 Braintree Hill Park, Suite 103 Braintree, MA 02184
Congratulations to tonight's honoree, Jean Hynes.
We are very proud to know you as a friend and business leader. What an incredible example you have set for Fontbonne alumnae and students.You are the blueprint for combining business acumen, and grace under pressure. Here's to inspiring the next generation of female leaders.
Wishing you, Mark, and the girls all the best in the future.
- Marianne (Gorman) Renaud '87 and Ron Renaud
C e l e b r a t i n g F o n t b o n n e ' s 7 0 y e a r s o f e x c e l l e n c e i n e d u c a t i n g w o m e n l e a d e r s .
T h a n k y o u a n d c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o o u r h o n o r e e s !
S u s a n n e ( R i l e y ) ' 8 7 a n d D a v i d O ' N e i l , P ' 2 1 , a n d E m m a O ' N e i l , ' 2 1
Theresa O’Toole ‘07 Ross Macomber
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ,
F O N T B O N N E !
7 0 y e a r s o f b e i n g a b e a c o n o f
e x c e l l e n c e f o r p r o m o t i n g g r o w t h i n
s p i r i t u a l i t y , s c h o l a r s h i p a n d
l e a d e r s h i p o f y o u n g w o m e n w h o , l i k e
t h e i r n a m e s a k e , M o t h e r S t . J o h n
F o n t b o n n e , a n d t h e S i s t e r s o f S t .
J o s e p h s e e k t o c h a n g e t h e w o r l d
S h i n e O n !
T h e B o a r d o f t h e C o r p o r a t i o n f o r
S p o n s o r e d M i n i s t r i e s
Your
Saint
Congratulations of Fostering Women
Friends of Fon
Congratulations, Congratulations, Fontbonne, on 70 years Fontbonne, on 70 years of giving life to her dreams! of giving life to her dreams!
Thank you, Jean Hynes ‘87, Thank you, Jean Hynes ‘87, Melissa Nelson ‘06, & Arielle Gaines ‘07
Melissa Nelson ‘06, & Arielle Gaines ‘07 for living our mission everyday and for for living our mission everyday and for being trailblazers in your field. being trailblazers in your field.
Thank you, Sisters of St. Joseph for your
Thank you, Sisters of St. Joseph for your vision and shared charism. We are so vision and shared charism. We are so proud to be part of the Fontbonne Family. proud to be part of the Fontbonne Family.
The Spignesi Family The Spignesi Family Maura, John, Jack & Faith Maura, John, Jack & Faith
“Pax
et Bonum”
(“peace & goodness”) lives on in each of us. We are the bridge-builders & the change-makers between multiple missions, visions, & lessons learned. We are able to discern the good & be a force for it in the world, in service to the dear neighbor. Congratulations on 70 years of Catholic, all-girls education.
Love, Mom, Dad, Sophia, Monique, and Gaines Electric Congratulations, Arielle!
250 Brook Road, Milton
At St Mary of the Hills, we help each child recognize their unique potential, guiding them from early childhood through eighth grade to become disciplined, passionate seekers of knowledge and truth, rooted in the love of Christ
Our strong academic program is paired with a Christ-centered environment that fosters both spiritual and intellectual growth Through service and leadership opportunities, we nurture purpose, confidence, and compassion in every student
With athletics and extracurricular activities that promote teamwork and personal growth, we empower students to live purposeful lives, cultivate critical thinking, and deepen their love for Christ
We are committed to developing well-rounded leaders who will positively impact the world through faith, knowledge, and service
(Preschool - 8th Grade) register online at www.smhschool.org/prospective-families
You served as a guiding light in the Fontbonne community for 40 years, igniting fires of curiosity and fostering a love for discovery.
Your unwavering commitment to providing top notch, cutting edge, and innovative learning experiences is on display here this evening at Fontbonne’s 70th Anniversary Gala.
Thank you for inspiring me and generations of women leaders.
With much love and appreciation, Nora (Curran) Wilkins ‘98
Your legacy lives on!
Congratulations to Fontbonne on 70 years of inspiring Women of Courage!
The Donelin and Mazza Families, '72, '76, '82, '10, '13, '18 ED
WALSH VICE PRESIDENT
Boston, North Shore & South Shore
781 321 4633
www teamges net email: info@teamges net
President Grace Cotter Regan P’12 and the BC High community congratulate Font bonne Academy
on celebrating 70 years of excellence in all-girls education.
With gratitude to my grandmother, Margaret Waters McCarthy who left Ireland at the age of sixteen and boarded a ship for Boston!
~ Anne Kennedy Ilacqua ~ Pioneer Class, 1958
C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o F o n t b o n n e
o n 7 0 y e a r s o f e d u c a t i n g w o m e n l e a d e r s .
J e a n H y n e s ‘ 8 7 & M a r k C o n d o n