Spring/Summer 2022 Update Magazine

Student art piece–2022

From the artist, Karenina Garlitos ‘22

I included a lot in this art, either significant and prominent or quiet and subtle. A very notable one is the bridge in the middle of the picture. The bridge is the Bay Bridge, but symbolically it’s a bridge that connects students between their school life and the working world. The landmarks seen on the left-hand side of the image are also real buildings that you can find in San Francisco; like the Coit Tower and SalesForce. The emails and girls are also a bridge of communication between the two worlds and lifestyles.

A Message from the President

Dear ICA Cristo Rey Community,

I am grateful for having been given the opportunity to lead ICA Cristo Rey Academy for the last 11 years. It has been a joy and a privilege to serve you as President of the school.

Sisters of Mission San Jose and is very dear to our hearts. It is an educational community unlike any other, and we rejoice in its excellence.

You may have already heard that I will be transitioning as President at the end of this school year. We have now begun a search to identify a new President who will guide the school into the future. Please keep this intention in your prayers.

I leave then, with more than a touch of sadness, but also gratefulness for what we have managed to accomplish together. Where once our new students only dreamed of getting through high school, today they aspire to college and a professional future career. They know they can depend on our teachers, staff, and counselors who will support them every step of the way to offer guidance, reassurance, and encouragement.

I have found great joy in watching our students gain personal confidence and professional skills through their work with our corporate sponsors. This year, in the midst of the pandemic, we still managed to welcome nine new companies as partners and six individuals as sponsors allowing us to place students in non-profit offices, a testament to the reputation of the Work-Study Program and the value it holds for both the companies and our students.

We are grateful to welcome our students back to campus. It’s a joy to see them develop new friendships and have the opportunity to learn from our teachers and from each other.

There is a spirit of sisterhood that is alive among current students and among the generations of alumnae before them. It is this spirit and passion for learning that will be some of my most cherished memories of my time serving as your President.

We look forward to welcoming you back to more in-person events in the coming months. Please also save the date of March 4, 2022, for our Annual Business Lunch at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Thank you for all your support over the years—it means a great deal to all of us—and may it continue.

God Bless you,

Sister Diane Aruda, OP President

Managing Editor

Andrea Manchester

Copy Editor

Derek Wetzel

Editorial Designer

Barbara Peavy

On the Cover

Cover Photo:

Nano Photography

Sister Diane Aruda, O.P.

President

Dr. George V. Fornero Principal

Board of Directors

Gina Antonini

Mark Bley

Maureen Coleman

Jennifer Dolan

Michael Heffernan

Andrea Manchester Director of Marketing and Communications

Erika Rangel Director of Corporate Work Study

Mary Lawson

Gail Mejeur

Ann G. Miller

Paul Mohun

Joshua Myerberg

Mission Statement

Eve Vaccaro Director of Admissions and Enrollment

Meghan Railey

John Ring

Martha Roldan

Anita Trachte

Sister Mary Susanna Vasquez ’67

ICA Cristo Rey Academy is a Dominican Catholic college preparatory that empowers girls from underserved communities to become confident young women able to realize their full potential. By providing an excellent academic curriculum, a unique corporate work study experience, and the support of our spiritual community, we prepare students for a life of faith, purpose, and service.

ICA Cristo Rey Leadership

CWSP remote worker for TYLin International.

Business Lunch

OOur 2022 Business Lunch at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero was a big success! Our heartfelt thanks go out to all who joined us and supported the event. You helped us raise over $670,000 for our school and students – exceeding our goal of $555,000. Over  400 guests joined us for the luncheon. It was a delight to see each other again and have our whole

community, including a number of students, share a meal.

Our alumnae panel, chaired by alumna Mary Cassidy ’73,  included Lissette Feliciano ‘08, Nataly Coreas ‘17, Melanie Solano ‘18, and Jasmine DeVera ‘22. These alumnae were not only impressive and articulate but demonstrated the vital impact their education at ICA Cristo Rey has had on them. The Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program was also a significant factor in their future career choices.

At this year’s event, we honored David Rosati and KGO Channel 7 TV with the 2022 CWSP Leader in Co-Education award for their long-time partnership with ICA Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program. Jenny Novoa ‘86  received the 2022  Leader in Mission award for her steadfast support as an alumna and mentor to our students who have had a CWSP  placement at the GAP.

Our gratitude goes out to our Co-Chairs, Mary Lawson & John Ring, who worked tirelessly to make this event a success. We are also grateful to Jobina Fortson, our MC from KGO Channel 7, who did a stellar job “anchoring” the event.

Our Honorary Co-Chairs were John and Marie Duggan, who very generously donated a $1500 gift certificate to

the legendary Original Joe’s restaurant for our event drawing. Thanks also to John Ring, who donated two awards: dinner for 14 at Tyler Florence’s restaurant, Miller & Lux, and another for a special event with former San Francisco Giants player Will Clark at the Olympic Club.

The drawing at the event helped us raise an additional  $82,000 for the Sister Diane Aruda Honorary Fund, which will support scholarships for our students. If you’d like to contribute to this fund, please contact Tina Sprouse at 415-824-2052 x60 or tsprouse@ icacademy.org.

Sister Diane

GGentle manner. Easy Laughter. Ready smile. Listening ear. There are some of the personal qualities quickly noted by anyone who meets Sister Diane Aruda, OP ICA Cristo Rey Academy’s outgoing president. A native of Oakland and a product of Catholic Education, Sister Diane went on to join the Mission San Jose Congregation in 1965. She went on to pursue a teaching credential and M.F.T. licensing for personal counseling, both of which were an asset for ICA Cristo Rey.

Sister Diane came to ICA Cristo Rey with love for the focus and desire of Dominican Foundress Mother Pia Backes, whose first sponsored school was ICA. Sister Diane said, “In serving the young, the poor, and the vulnerable of San Francisco, the Dominican Sisters, and our lay colleagues, we continue other Pia’s mission today through the Cristo Rey Model of education.”

Sister Diane, led ICA Cristo Rey Academy for eleven years, stewarding the school through new branding, donor relations, facilities updates, and a global pandemic. Her devotion to students, families, faculty, staff,

and the Board of Directors fostered collaboration across all levels.

We are grateful to Sister Diane for her commitment and work and wish her the best as she moves forward with first a sabbatical and then back into counseling.

Sister Cecilia Canales, O.P., Congregational Prioress, reflects at the end of Sister Diane’s tenure as President.

A Sister for All Seasons

Passionate about everything-life, catholic education, friends family

Appreciates the simple things in life, like ocean sunsets, pandas, flowers, laughter

Passionate about the Cristo Rey Mission

Upholds and promotes the four Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community, and service.

Always modeling the “holy preaching” -preaches by her living!

Inclusive human being

Fosters long rang relationships

Faithful to the tenets of the Cristo Rey model and Mission San Jose charism

Faithful to God and her vocation

Gracious and kind, gentle and caring, patient and loving

Approachable

Supportive and devoted to students, families, faculty, staff, and Board of Directors

Fosters effective collaboration across all levels

Welcoming, warm, hospitable

Pours heart into everything

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Inspires others

Willing to stay in conversation, even when ‘the going gets rough

Mentor to countless individuals

Spiritual leader

Thirty-nine years of loving and dedicated servant leadership in the ministry of  Catholic education!

A Dominican through and through Mother Pia [the foundress] would be proud of her!

98% admitted to a four-year college

89% attending a four-year college

87% first generation college-bound students

100% enrolled in college

Over$10,533,280 in grant and scholarship money earned

California Private (16)

Chapman University:  1

Culinary Institute of America:  1

Dominican University:  1

Holy Names University:  2

Saint Mary’s College of California:  1

Santa Clara University:  1

(Cristo Rey Network Partner College)

University of San Francisco:  9

(Cristo Rey Network Partner College)

UCs (14)

UC Berkeley:  5

UC Davis:  2

UC Merced:  4

UC Los Angeles:  2

UC Riverside:  1

CSUs (43)

CSU Chico

CSU Los Angeles:  2

Sacramento State University:  3

San Francisco State: 33

San Jose State:  1

Sonoma State University:  2

Community Colleges (10) City College of SF:  6

Diablo Valley College:  1

Long Beach City College:  1

Skyline College:  2

Out of State Private (2)

University of Miami:  1

University of Portland:  1 (Cristo Rey Network Partner College)

Out of State Public (1)

Texas Southern University:  1

University of Hawaii, Manoa:  1

A Farewell to Sister Lilly

By Keiko Casserly ‘23

SSister Lilly Fitzpatrick was among those who started the Corporate Work Study Program here at ICA Cristo Rey back in 2009. After helping build the program from scratch, she has watched the department grow significantly over time and is very proud of its accomplishments. In fact, according to her, when the department was first formed, there were only 12 corporate partners. Now there are over 105 companies working with ICA. However, while she has cherished her time here and taken great pride in her duties, after working here for 13 years, Sister Lilly has decided it is time for her to move on.

“I think the school is ready for fresh blood,” she stated, “You really shouldn’t stay anywhere for more than 10 years.”

While I have not been at ICA for very long (I transferred as a junior to start this school year.), it feels as if Sister Lilly has been a part of my life for much longer. She has this kind of energy that makes you feel like you’re close friends. The past year of kindness, embodied by the fleeting but memorable conversations I had with her, will undoubtedly remain close to my heart, and I’m sure even more so for those students, staff, and partners who have known her longer. She will truly be missed.

Traveling to America

Sister Lilly grew up on a farm in Ireland with seven siblings. After graduating high school, she enrolled in secretarial college and continued on to work as a secretary for a year. During this time, a friend of hers asked if she would like to

travel to America. Eager as she was to take this opportunity, she had no money. “Pretend you like kids,” her friend replied, “And you’ll get a round trip ticket and $200 a month.” Her parents thought she was crazy since she already had a secure job as a secretary. However, Sister Lilly had already made up her mind and only intended to stay for a year anyways.

Now in America, Sister Lilly worked as a nanny for a year. After the year had passed she returned to Ireland, only to venture off soon to America once again (and as cliche as it may seem) because she had fallen in love. Seeking independence, she began working as a nanny for a family who assisted her in receiving her Permanent Resident Card. Despite the relationship that brought her back there ending, she began to call America home between her other travels.

Sister Lilly’s Life Goals

“I sat down, Keiko, and said there are five things I want to do in life,” Sister Lilly told me. Her life goals consisted of giving back to society, running a marathon (26.2 miles) in every state, traveling the world, purchasing her own home, and maintaining good health and happiness. I am sure everyone would agree that she completed these goals to an extraordinary extent. Although completing a marathon in eight states compared to the original goal of 50 seems rather small, eight marathons is no easy feat. Sister Lilly has completed marathons in California, Hawaii, Washington State, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, and one other state she could not specifically recall. She continues to run and exercise regularly, which certainly contributes positively to her fifth goal of staying in good health.

From Backpacking to Joining the Convent

I had heard a few things about Sister Lilly’s extensive travel from other teachers prior to interviewing her so I was not surprised to learn that travel was among her life goals. Sister Lilly certainly has a full passport as she has visited Fiji, Thailand, Egypt, New Zealand, Kenya, and India, and has lived in Australia, Hawai’i, New York, and Japan. Hearing this furthered my interest in her path to sisterhood, considering she had expressed no prior desire to do so.

“It was an accident,” was probably the most surprising response I could have gotten. How do you accidentally join a convent? Sister Lilly took me on a trip down memory lane as we revisited the events leading to her decision. Sister Lilly had spent an incredible amount of time giving back to her community, doing things for other people without taking many moments for herself. “As you can see, I am pretty wired,”’ she joked. So naturally, a bulletin for a “quiet Lenten retreat” in Fremont sparked her interest and she decided to go for some relaxation. Upon her arrival, she came to the abrupt realization that this was in fact not a relaxing retreat but rather a “Religious Life” retreat for young women in the process of becoming sisters of the church. The theme for

the retreat had been “Fools for Christ”, as it was on the 1st of April. She thought there was no way she was becoming a sister. “I went to boarding school; I know all about nuns,” she told me.

Apparently, the dates had been mixed up on the bulletin board and her Lenten retreat had actually been the week prior. Despite this confusion, Sister Lilly remained; frankly, she said she just didn’t want to drive all the way back to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, she was very impressed with the sisters, who she found to be very progressive and really caring about others. “Long story short, I entered [the convent] five months later,” she said.

In September of 2000, Sister Lilly entered Dominican Sisterhood through circum-stances which seem to be pure chance and she believes to have been the will of God. On April 20th, eight years later, Sister Lilly was asked to come to ICA.

Giving Back to Her Community

“I have always felt very blessed,” Sister Lilly explained, and so, she has seen great importance in giving back to her community. During her travels she continued to do so in her many new environments. For instance, while living in Japan Sister Lilly taught English, and in New York she

worked with homeless teenagers, as well as individuals suffering from AIDS. This was not easy work by any means; but regardless of how tired she may have felt, she always felt rejuvenated after her work. “I realized that doing for others brought [me] a lot of happiness,” Sister Lilly explained.

When asked what her favorite part about working at ICA has been, Sister Lilly responded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world: “Well the girls of course [...] They have made me realize how blessed I am.” Being able to see the girls in the CWSP department grow and mature has filled her with immense pride. To feel that she contributed in some way to their accomplishments as they move into new careers and continue their education  has truly been an amazing experience for Sister Lilly.

Despite loving her work at ICA, Sister Lilly sincerely feels good about her departure, as she feels genuinely proud of the work she has done and left behind. Furthermore, Sister Lilly has complete faith in whomever takes up her position and intends to help where she can without hindering the abilities of the “fresh blood.”

When I asked her what she has planned for the future, she told me she honestly did not know yet. She intends to check in at ICA, as well as to travel and continue her regular runs, but besides that, she has yet to make concrete plans. She gives special thanks to Sister Diane and Sister Lisa Ann, who have been very supportive, as well as Ms. Rose, Dr. Fornero, and Lisa Graham, the previous principal of ICA.

Nataly Coreas-Arana mentors Spartan Sisters

By Gabriela Lanza ‘01

IIn 2013, Nataly Coreas-Arana was assigned to the Clint Reilly Organization her freshman year in the Corporate Work Study Program. After almost 9 years of being with the company, Coreas accepted a full time position as a Director of Interns and Accounts Payable Manager. As a director of interns Nataly works with four ICA Cristo Rey student interns, two

juniors and two seniors. Now taking on a mentorship role, Nataly reflects on her time at Clint Reilly and the impact of her supervisors and how she now serves as a mentor for the ICA interns who have come after her.

The Clint Reilly Organization is made up of four divisions: Real Estate, Bay Scholars, Credo

Restaurant, Julia Morgan Ballroom, Nob Hill Gazette, and the SF Examiner. They are one of the first adopters of the CWSP program. Since 2013[1] , they have taken in 28 ICA interns, Nataly Coreas being one of them, to work at their firm in the downtown San Francisco office. Coreas spent all 4 years of high school at the

other paths and how to get there.” It was a great place for her to discover where she wanted to go in her career and luckily she had the support of the company to explore that. Initially Nataly had the intention of earning a degree in Biology but decided to major in Psychology and minor in dance instead.

ICA Cristo Rey Alumna, Nataly Coreas-Arana ‘17, provides mentorship for Spartan Sisters through her work with The Clint Reilly Organization.

company both with the CWSP program and her own part-time work. Starting out she worked as an administrative assistant helping set up for company events, answer phones, respond to emails, along with other administrative tasks.

After graduating from ICA in 2017, she set off to the University of San Francisco. As a first-generation college student, Nataly had to learn how to navigate college on her own. The factor she struggled with the most was the financial part of attending USF, which meant she had to provide her own financial solution. Coreas remained open to opportunities and continued working part-time at Clint Reilly. With a flexible work schedule Coreas was able to balance work and school, which helped offset the cost of tuition.

Coreas reflects, “Clinton has always been supportive of my own exploration and my career….they helped me see

By the time she was in college she had assisted in different departments that include real estate, Bay Scholars, and human resources. These opportunities allowed Coreas to explore other career possibilities. Nataly’s supervisors were

impressed by her quick grasp at assigned tasks and efficiency when completing projects. Soon after, she was hired by their Director of Finance, Steve Bowdry, as a Real Estate Assistant. Bowdry says,

“When I quickly discovered how intelligent, organized and simply how well she could

grasp new concepts, I turned over the entire AP function related to the operations of a half billion dollars real estate portfolio in prime downtown San Francisco. This is no easy task for someone without prior experience. Nataly learned the process very quickly and was able to improve the process and create greater efficiency.”

In 2021, Nataly Coreas graduated with Magna Cum Laude from the University of San Francisco. She now holds positions as an Accounts Payable manager and Director of Interns. As a supervisor for ICA interns, she is tasked with providing essential work experience across different sectors of the organization.

The four interns are currently working in departments such as Accounting, Real Estate, Bay Scholars, Credo Restaurant, and the SF Examiner. Coreas recognizes that her nine years of work with Clint Reilly has provided her unique opportunities and sees a significance in her role as a supervisor.

Nataly comments, “I want to be a mentor for them, someone to connect with. It was important for me and I want to be that for my ICA girls because I can fully understand where they’re coming from.”

She sees the Corporate Work Study program as a building pipeline. Not only is Nataly with the Clint Reilly Organization but Kaelah Tarifa ‘20 is also a returning CWSP worker. She works part-time as Communications Coordinator with Bay Scholars while also attending San Jose State University.

Steve Bowdry, Director of Finance, comments, “I don’t know where the limitations are

for Nataly, she is clearly one of those forces that will ascend to unbelievable levels before she is finished doing whatever she decides to do long term.”

Nataly’s work at The Clint Reilly Organization has created an impact on the ICA community. She continues to strive in the work she does and plans to grow professionally within the organization.

We are proud to consider Nataly Coreas-Arana an ICA Cristo Rey alumnae!

“Nataly is a dynamic woman. She started here as a freshman and continued all the way through high school and college. She demonstrated initiative, hard work, and commitment to our company from her first year with us. She is deeply embedded in the culture of our company and beloved by her co-workers and a dynamic part of the future of our firm.

Clinton Reilly, the Chairman and President of The Clint Reilly Organization, says,

CWSP 2021-2022 Partners

We are grateful for the support of both long-time and new partners in our Corporate Work Study Program.

Architecture/ Engineering

Cupertino Electric, Inc.

Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill

T.Y. Lin International Group

Banking/Finance/ Insurance

Andersen

Beacon College Funding Solutions, Inc.

Capital Group

Coté & Company, APC

First Republic Bank

Gap Inc. - Risk Management

Hamilton Zanze

Heffernan Insurance

Highland Capital Partners

Inner City Advisors

Makena Capital Management

MOC Insurance

One Wealth Advisors

Pacific Foundation Services

Prime Administration

Silicon Valley Bank

Sixth Street Partners

Spyglass Capital Management

TPG Global

Biotech/

Pharmaceuticals/ Medical Devices

Advanced Clinical

Atreca

Genentech

Global Blood Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics

Construction/ Manufacturing

Beci Eletric

Beronio Lumber

Cahill Contractors

Darcoid Nor-Cal Seal

Dome Construction

Levi Strauss & Co.

Pattern Energy Group Services

Consulting/Logistics

BDO

Environmental Sciences Associates

Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP

Education

All Souls School

Buena Vista Horace Mann

Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires

Holy Family Day Home

Our Lady of Angels

Schools of the Sacred Heart

Stanford University

St. Anthony Immaculate Conception School

St. James School

St. John’s School

St. Paul’s School

St. Peter’s School

St.Philip the Apostle School

Food Industry & Management

BiRite Foodservice Distributors

Bon Appetit Management Company

Healthcare

Cigna

Dignity Health

Gladstone Institute

Golden Gate Pediatrics

Lisa C. Capaldini, M.D.

NCIRE VA Healthcare

San Francisco Gynecology

San Francisco Veterans

Memorial Hospital

SC Johnson - Lifestyle Brands

Stanford Health Care

Facilities Services and Planning

UCSF Medical Center

Legal

Brandi Law Firm

Buchalter Law Firm

Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass, LLP

Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP

Fenwick & West, LLP

Freshfields

Jones Day

Morrison & Foerster, LLP

Ogletree Deakins

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw

Pittman, LLP

Shook, Hardy, & Bacon

Not-for-Profit

Archdiocese of San

Francisco

Arriba Juntos

FACES SF

Mercy Housing

On Lok

San Francisco Fire Fighters

Toy Program Local 798

Real Estate

BRIDGE Housing

Clinton Reilly Holdings

DeAnza Properties

Mynd Property Management

Prime Group

PSAI Realty Partners, LLC

Stanford University Land, Buildings, and Real Estate

TPG Global

Technology/Media

App Dynamics

KGO-TV ABC7

Salesforce

UpMetrics

2021-2022 Sponsors

Nick & Jim Andrade

McDermott

Atkinson Foundation

Debbie & Paul Baker

John Bell

Bernstein Family

Suzanne & Gene Bugatto

Carolyn & CJ Daley

Anne & Scott Davison

Dodge & Cox

Dominican Sisters of San

Rafael

Marie & John Duggan

Kate & Bill Duhamel

Stephanie & Phil Gatto

Glynn Capital Management

Katie Hall

Lenore Heffernan

Mike Heffernan Foundation

Hellman & Friedman

Hill House Construction

KLA

Lakeview Foundation

Mag Management, Inc.

Alix Marduel & Tom

Lockard

Kelly McGinnis & Don

Santel

McLaughlin Family

Merrill Lynch

Mimi & Jim Moloney

Anna & Mason Morfit

Sascha, Michelle & Linda Mornell

John Murphy

Patricia O’Brien

O’Dell Foundation

Pantheon

Rachel and Tim Parker

Nicole & John Piccetti

Robson Homes

Kristin & Jim Robillard

Rogers Family Foundation

Rebbeca & Dennis Ryan

SC Johnson

Lynn Seely & Tim Ditzler

Maureen Sullivan

UPS

Liz and Greg Vaughan

Visa

Von Der Ahe Foundation

In Memoriam

ICA faculty member

Sister Mary Paul Mehegen ‘41

Eleanor Frances Mulkeen (Kenny), ‘43

Patricia Ann Becketti (Crowley), ‘46

Bernice Johnston (Wyrsch), ‘46

Theresa Richardson Murphy ‘51

Anne Nolan Dowd, ‘55

Ann Nolan Dowd ‘55

Patrick James Hennessy, nephew of Sister Rose Hennessy, ‘55

Maureen Brigid Laval, ‘56

Margaret Hennessy (Teshara), ‘63

ICA faculty member

Sister Mary Peter Traviss

Give a Gift to the Future

Remembering ICA Cristo Rey in your will is an important and personal gift to future generations. Throughout the history of the school, thoughtful individuals have helped to provide a Catholic education to countless young women. We hope that, after you have provided for your family, you will consider making a bequest to ICA Cristo Rey Academy. The following wording is suggested as appropriate for an unrestricted gift:

I give and bequeath the sum of $___________ (or, ______% of my estate) to ICA Cristo Rey Academy.

When you help to provide education for the young women of tomorrow, you provide an enduring gift for the future. For more information, please contact advancement@ icacademy.org .

Memorial Cards

ICA Cristo Rey Academy is a school rich in history and proud of its place in the story of San Francisco. Because of this pride, we feature on our Memorial Card the beloved statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception which stands in the foyer of the convent chapel. This statue is prominently featured in an 1880 picture of Mother Pia and her original community of Sisters. A complete history of the statue is included with each Memorial Card. Would you like to remember your loved one in a special way? In addition to Memorials, cards are also available for special occasions, birthdays, anniversaries, or illness.

You may order by calling (415) 824-2052 ext. 60 or emailing advancement@ icacademy.org .