MARIA REGINA Career Day
Friday, March 27 , 2026 th
Welcome
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Maria Regina Career Day, and to wish you a very Happy International Women’s Day! Career Day is an invaluable opportunity to explore potential career paths and discover new interests. Today, you will have the chance to meet a diverse group of accomplished and successful women, all proud alumnae of Maria Regina High School. We are truly honored to have them here to share their journeys, insights, and experiences with you. We hope you enjoy the day, feel inspired, and gain valuable insight as you begin to imagine your own future.
Mission Statement
Maria Regina High School is a Catholic school where young women are encouraged to achieve academic excellence, empowered to become compassionate leaders, and enriched with the Spirit to live a life of Charity, Truth, and Service to others.
CLOSING SPEAKERS
8:15-9:20am-Mass
9:25-9:50-KeynoteSpeaker
9:55-10:20-Session1
10:25-10:50-Session2
10:55-11:20-Session3
11:20am-ClosingSpeakers
Grade 9 & 10 - Gym - Chavonne Collins ‘99
Grades 11 & 12 - Dining Hall - Catherine Drumm Biviano ‘89
All other speakers are invited to the Information Center for Lunch 12:00-1:00pm-Minglingsessionforall speakerswithstudentsandfacultyinthe InformationCenter
Keynote
SPEAKER
TONI-ANN Sforza ‘06
Toni-Ann Sforza is a proud alumna of Maria Regina High School and serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Municipal Credit Union, one of New York City’s largest credit unions. In this role, she oversees operations, people strategy, digital delivery, and member experience, focusing on service and operational excellence Toni-Ann is dedicated to creating an empowering organization where individuals can thrive
Her educational credentials include Executive Education in Labor Relations from Cornell University and Strategy, Leadership, and Business Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, along with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Management from Mercy University.
A passionate advocate for leadership development, Toni-Ann serves on numerous nonprofit boards, emphasizing opportunities for women leaders. She credits her time at Maria Regina for instilling the confidence and values essential to her journey.
Toni-Ann's achievements include being named to City & State New York's 40 Under 40 list, receiving the HRO Today Leader of Distinction award, and being a finalist for the Credit Union Times Luminaries Award. She is also recognized as a Woman of the Year Circle member by the National Association of Professional Women and included in the Manhattan Power List for her influence in business and civic communities.
As a board member of the MCU Foundation, Toni-Ann provides governance and strategic guidance for initiatives focused on financial empowerment and community support throughout New York City. Her commitment to community and empowerment exemplifies her leadership qualities.
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, & ADMINISTRATION
PATTY Bruno
Patty Bruno holds an MBA with a concentration in Management from Iona University She is an experienced professional with a proven track record of successfully leading teams and developing talent Throughout her career, Patty has held various national and regional leadership roles focused on enhancing sales support efficiencies. She is passionate about ensuring her team operates proficiently to deliver excellent customer service.
A lover of challenges and problem-solving, Patty appreciates when her contributions are valued and is always willing to roll up her sleeves to get the job done After leaving the corporate insurance world in 2017, she became self-employed, specializing in direct insurance sales and successfully building a significant block of business She has also served as a NYS-approved insurance instructor and monitor, although she has not taught since the pandemic. Patty is involved in fundraising for her alma maters, Maria Regina High School and Iona University, and has participated in fundraising activities for the National MS Society She was a board member for the Center for the Women of NY, serving on the Fundraising and Marketing Committees, and has been a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Married to Tom since 2016, Patty enjoys traveling and living life to the fullest She takes great pride in her nephews and godsons
ghan Mertens, a member of the MRHS Class of 2005, is the co-owner Mayvin Human Resources, a consulting firm in Rockland County that vides customized HR support to small and medium-sized businesses. holds degrees in Business Management and Accounting from ymount Manhattan College and is certified through the Society for man Resource Management
ghan began her career in management within the retail industry before sitioning to human resources. She quickly advanced into leadership s, including HR Manager, VP of Operations, and Head of HR Today, as HR consultant, Meghan partners with companies lacking in-house HR port to develop policies, strengthen workplace culture, ensure legal compliance, and foster business growth She takes pride in creating positive work environments and making a meaningful impact on both employees and business leaders
In addition to her professional endeavors, Meghan is a wife, a homeowner, and the proud mother of two boys.
LAW, GOVERNMENT, & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
MARY Camaj
Mary Camaj, a first-generation Albanian-American from New York, is a dedicated public servant and advocate for equity A graduate of Maria Regina High School (Class of 2019), Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Political Science from Manhattan College, followed by a Master of Arts in Political Science from Columbia University. At Columbia, she became the first student to pass an Albanian proficiency exam, enabling her to conduct academic research in Albanian and work with Albanian-language sources and authors
After graduating from Columbia, Mary had the honor of meeting with the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament to discuss her research on Albania and Kosovo, focusing on historical and modern contexts, as well as the indigenous ethnic Albanian groups throughout the Balkans. Her passion for public service led her to work for the Chair of the Albanian Diaspora Coordination Council, where she organized events, empowered the community, and facilitated meetings between Albanian public leaders and the diaspora in New York. For her leadership and dedication to the Albanian community, Mary was honored with a mayoral citation from the City of New York. Currently, Mary serves as an Opportunity Programs Analyst at the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), the state’s public finance and construction authority
CHAVONNE Collins ‘99
Chavonne Collins is a dedicated legal and nonprofit professional with nearly two decades of experience spanning law firm operations, financial management, and youth development. She graduated from Maria Regina High School in 1999 and continued her studies, earning a B.S. in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and a Master of Public Administration from Pace University. Chavonne began her career in legal services in 2006 as a paralegal, supporting corporate, bankruptcy, and probate attorneys. Over the years, she has developed a comprehensive skill set in legal office management, overseeing critical functions including human esources, benefits administration, billing, accounting, IT support, and staff management She currently holds the role of Comptroller at a Connecticut-based law firm, where she manages the financial operations essential to running an efficient and compliant practice In parallel with her egal career, Chavonne is deeply committed to youth empowerment and community impact She serves as Assistant Program Director at G O O D for Girls Inc , a nonprofit organization based in White Plains, NY Chavonne has also served as a board member for the Westchester Children’s Association and Youth Alternatives to Incarceration, Inc (YATI), further demonstrating her commitment to advocacy and positive youth development. Driven by a passion for empowering the next generation, Chavonne is focused on transforming communities by cultivating informed, confident, and resilient youth.
LAW, GOVERNMENT, & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Sita Sahdala grew up in Riverdale and graduated from Maria Regina High School in 2015 She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Le Moyne College in December 2018 In 2021, she began her career with the NYPD as a Police Communication Technician and entered the police academy in April 2022. Over the next 2.5 years, Sita served as a Police Officer at the 44th where she worked as a patrol officer and an NYPD fingerprint technician Recently, w Windsor and is currently employed as a City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.
member of the MRHS Class of 1976 She earned from Barnard College in 1980, followed by a ersity of Missouri School of Journalism in 1982. ournalism, Maria transitioned from her role as a ore new opportunities that utilized her strong o convey information effectively.
r career as a Foreign Service Officer, essentially e Department of State. She credits her MRHS asses with Mrs. Beatrice Schein as pivotal in ge skills. After retiring from full-time diplomatic ed a State Department reserve corps, stepping in when there are personnel vacancies Recently, she completed a sixweek assignment in Turkey and has served in various countries, including Tunisia, Ethiopia, Trinidad, Algeria, Romania, Russia, and Albania She is also proud to have her daughter, Christina Silver, as a member of the MRHS Class of 2021
MARIA Silver
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING,
& MATHEMATICS
CAITLIN Duggan
Caitlin Duggan is the Global Executive & Internal Communications Leader at IBM Research, where she helps shape the narratives behind some of the most advanced technology in the world, including IBM’s pioneering work in quantum computing Originally from Yonkers, NY, Caitlin graduated from Maria Regina High School in 2012 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, with minors in Accounting and International Business, from Villanova University in 2016
Her career has taken several nontraditional paths, each adding valuable experience to her leadership role Caitlin has worked in human resources, communications, and higher education, discovering a passion for supporting and developing entry-level talent along the way Over the past four and a half years, she has built a career in tech at IBM, taking on roles that blend strategy, creativity, and innovation. In her current position, she leads executive and internal communications for IBM Research, connecting thousands of researchers worldwide with their ideas, impact, and mission to invent the future of computing
In addition to her work in tech, Caitlin is a prolific journalist, having written over 150 articles for major U.S. publications. She lives in Hartsdale, NY, with her husband and their three beloved cats, including one very charismatic sphynx.
When Christine Economos was a student at Maria Regina, she aspired to be a doctor, despite the limited expectations for women at the time She graduated from MRHS in 1962 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Mercy College, as well as her teaching certification from the University of Texas at San Marcos After college, Christine joined the Peace Corps and spent several years in Latin America.
Upon returning to the United States, she discovered that her degree and experience didn’t provide a clear career path. Eventually, she found success writing educational materials and children's books This led to a position at PBS, where she contributed to the Nature series, American Experience, and several Bill Moyers specials. Christine then moved to the American Museum of Natural History, where she spent the next 25 years collaborating with scientists and managing a national science program for junior high and high school students.
Although she retired at age 70, retirement became more of a transition than an end. Since then, Christine has remained active in her Greenwich Village community Last year, she was elected President of the 6th Precinct Community Council To prepare for this role, she completed an online course in community leadership at Harvard and graduated from the Citizens Police Academy. Christine now works closely with the police to foster open dialogue between residents and law enforcement, as well as to run various community programs.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS
NANCY
Khoury
PATRICIA McCaffery
Nancy Khoury graduated from Maria Regina High School in 1996. She studied Biochemistry at Pace University and earned her Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Columbia University. Currently, she works at Pfizer as a Principal Scientist and Program Lead, where she helps design and test protein subunit and mRNA vaccines cutting-edge technologies that played a crucial role in protecting the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her role, Nancy leads a team that develops and conducts testing to confirm the potency of viral and bacterial vaccines by creating bioassays that support both early and late-stage vaccine development, ensuring materials are functional. A typical day includes solving complex challenges, acting as a team captain, and managing quality control. Nancy enjoys her career because it combines detective work with lifesaving technology
Patricia McCaffery graduated from Maria Regina in 1990 She studied Mechanical Engineering and received her Bachelor's degree from Villanova University and her Master's from Manhattan College. Her current role is s a Principal and mechanical engineer at Meyers+ Engineers in New York City. Meyers+ specializes in the design of heating, venting, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for buildings. During Patty’s 30-year career as a professional engineer, she has completed projects in various market sectors, including corporate interiors, performing arts, cultural, and, most notably, the federal market sector. Patty has successfully led a design practice focused on working with the federal government both internationally and domestically, having completed projects in 40+ countries on 5 continents. Her portfolio of completed work has ranged in scope and complexity from master planning studies to major renovations and new construction. Most recently, Patty was responsible for overseeing the engineering design of three new diplomatic campuses totaling over $1 billion in construction.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, & MATHEMATICS
CHRISTINE ‘84
Tucci Spana
Christine Tucci Spana graduated from MRHS in 1984 and earned a BA in Computer Science with a minor in Finance from Iona University She holds an MS in Telecommunications from Pace University and an MBA in Marketing from Fordham University. She began her professional career at IBM and has held numerous roles ranging from programmer to management; she is currently a Business Unit Executive for Software Sales and Services Christine also teaches Computer Science as an adjunct professor at Iona University She credits MRHS teacher Susan Pojer for introducing her to computer technology and inspiring her journey in STEM. Active in her community, she volunteers with the Girl Scouts and the Junior League and mentors students. In her spare time she enjoys running, ballet, and beach outings with her two golden retrievers She lives in Pelham Manor, NY, with her husband and has three children
DEIRDRE Mone
EDUCATION & TEACHING
Deirdre Mone (MRHS '86) is currently the principal at Iona Prep Lower School in New Rochelle, where she has worked for 27 years She has worked in urban and suburban educational settings and has taught at the elementary level in a Catholic school, at a Catholic girls' high school, in a public high school, and landed at Iona Prep in 1999, where she has taught social studies, been the director of admissions at the Lower School, and is now Lower School principal. She holds an undergraduate degree from Fordham University, did graduate work at the College of William and Mary, and has a Master’s of Professional Studies (school leadership) from Manhattanville University. Deirdre's current interests in the field of education include performance-based assessment and differentiated instruction. She has been as surprised as others that her career in education has included work-related travel to Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, and Ireland through the Christian Brothers' network of schools, and to Europe and great places in the United States as the leader of student groups She is the proud parent of a daughter happily moving into careers of their own
nta graduated from Maria Regina High School in 2011 n’s University and graduated with a B S in Accounting and later, an MS in Taxation In addition, she graduated with an M S in Childhood Special Education - Learning / Before her current role, she worked in corporate and real estate compliance at EY. She is currently a acher and has been working in NYC PS District 75 ducation for the past 7 years. One of her proudest he point person for PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention MA (Kind, Appropriate, Respectful, Mature and as fundraising for Autism Awareness. In addition, she is er of Piccolo Futuro, whose mission is to provide Italian lessons and pass our traditions on to the next year, she wrote “Andiamo a Fare Shopping con Mariiii” ging children to learn Italian vocabulary, basic money n-making about saving and spending During her free al media coordinator for the Italian Welfare League, ican Foundation (NIAF) Young Professional Network or Leader, volunteer at the Italian American Museum, mbus Citizen Foundation Young Adult Auxiliary (YAA), re Leaders (IAFL) and The National Organization of en and (NOIAW).
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING
REGINA
‘94 Poniros
Regina Poniros, a 1994 graduate of Maria Regina High School, has built a distinguished 29-year career in finance and accounting within the commercial real estate industry. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Westchester Community College and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting from Pace University. Regina currently serves as a Controller at DRA Advisors, LLC Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is actively engaged in her community, serving on the Village of Tarrytown Zoning Board of Appeals and previously as PTA Treasurer for the Pocantico Hills Central School District. She is also a member of the Elmsford Rotary Club, where she was honored as a 2021 Paul Harris Fellowship Award recipient, and was recognized by the Business Council of Westchester as a 2015 Rising Stars 40 Under 40 award recipient In her free time, Regina enjoys triathlons, skiing, dancing, mentoring, reading, and other outdoor activities.
MARY THERESAPrestopino
Mary Theresa Prestopino says she has Maria Regina High School to thank for her career and for forming the foundation of who she was to become She took the business courses section, headed by Mrs Harley at the time, and took courses with Mrs. Perry. After graduating from Maria Regina in 1981, she took a summer job at J. Walter Thompson, for a co-op working program. Many of the co-op students at the end of summer left their positions to go to college, but she couldn't imagine giving up her job. She preferred continuing to work, and the company paid for her part-time college courses at night, nearby at Mercy University. She pursued a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Criminal Justice. She worked for that very first company in an administrative capacity for more than four years. Afterwards, she took a job with Philip Morris in their PM USA division. She also began working towards an MBA in Finance from Long Island University in their evening program Her first position in Finance was as a Supervisor, Accounts Payable, to two accountants in PM USA Next, she was promoted to a Legal Finance Analyst position to support the legal department in a Finance capacity in PM USA She went on to become a Senior International Finance Analyst at Kraft Foods International Her last corporate finance position was with Kraft North America in the Financial Planning & Analysis department as Sr Coffee Financial Analyst After serving on a non-profit board for 13 years, she wanted to work for a non-profit She began working at Pace University in the Finance department, and this June, she will have been working at Pace for 20 years She was promoted to Budget Director, and then to her current position as the Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES
CATHERINE
Drumm Biviano
Dr. Catherine (Drumm) Biviano, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, ONC, NEA-BC graduated from Lehman College in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Then in 1999, she graduated from New York University with a Master’s in Nursing Education She recieved her Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Public Health Nurse Leader from University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2018. Catherine has been working in the Nursing field for the past 30+ years in various roles and settings. She has worked as a Staff Nurse, Nurse Manager and Nursing Director in Nursing Practice, Quality, Research and Recruitment She currently works at NYP Westchester, Westchester Behavioral Health Center, and the One as the Program Director of Nursing Professional Development.
Eckman Colety
An MRHS graduate from the Class of 2009, she is originally from City Island in the Bronx and now lives in Yonkers with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She earned her nursing degree from the Hunter–Bellevue School of Nursing in 2014 and began her career as a Registered Nurse in the CTICU at Lenox Hill Hospital In 2018, she transitioned to the CSICU at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, the same year she moved to Yonkers and got married. She later earned her master’s degree from Pace University in 2023. She currently serves as a Heart Transplant Coordinator at Montefiore Medical Center, a role she has held for the past two years. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and finding fun ways to entertain her young daughter
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES
ARIANNA
Del Bene
Arianna Del Bene graduated from MRHS in 2010. She is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, licensed in both New York and Connecticut, and nationally certified through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She currently works with TheraTrio, providing occupational therapy services to residential children and young adults with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities and emotional disturbances who attend the School for Adaptive and Integrative Learning in Ardsley She graduated from Mercy University’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in 2025 as the top-ranked student in her cohort, earning summa cum laude honors During her academic career, she served as Cohort President and President of the Student Occupational Therapy Association, demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership and professional advocacy. She was inducted into the Alpha Eta and Delta Alpha Pi Honor Societies and received both the Excellence in Occupational Therapy Assistant Studies Award and the Excellence in Leadership Award. She is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, the New York State Occupational Therapy Association, and the Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association.
Since graduating from Maria Regina in 2012, Jennifer Forlini has established a distinguished career in healthcare leadership and clinical excellence. At Concordia College, she demonstrated remarkable discipline by competing as an NCAA Division II dual-athlete in both soccer and basketball a rare achievement during a period when dual-sport participation was restricted. She graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Radiologic Technology, earning a nearperfect ARRT board score before launching her career into diagnostic imaging. In her professional career, Jennifer quickly ascended to senior leadership roles within New York’s premier medical institutions. Most notably, she served as the Radiologic Technology Supervisor at New YorkPresbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Milstein Hospital) In this capacity, she provided operational oversight for a team of over 75 technologists and staff, managing complex diagnostic services for both inpatient and outpatient care across a 3-building hospital campus Currently, as a Senior Technologist for WPH Imaging at Scarsdale, Jennifer continues to focus on the intersection of clinical excellence and operational efficiency While she leads vital procurement and workflow modernization initiatives, her primary mission remains rooted in a lifelong commitment to the care of others. Licensed and registered in New York, she is dedicated to advancing the field of diagnostic imaging through a compassionate, patient-centered approach that ensures high-quality healthcare for the community.
MEDICAL & HEALTH SCIENCES
JESSICA Gaddi
PATRICIA McLaughlin
Jessica Gaddi graduated from Maria Regina in 2003 She attended Mercy College for both Undergrad and Graduate degree programs. She has a Master's in Public Health Administration. She graduated from Ultrasound School in 2008 and worked as a Tech until 2019, when she started the management track. Her current role is Director of Radiology at St John’s Riverside Hospital She ensures all radiology operations run smoothly while overseeing 125 associates, including staff, managers, and supervisors. Her favorite aspect of the job is “helping people and being a part of something bigger than herself. ”
Patricia McLaughlin is a dedicated Registered Nurse Case Manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, bringing more than 20 years of healthcare experience that began as a paramedic in the Bronx. Her clinical background spans intensive care, emergency medicine, and cardiac and pulmonary units, complemented by leadership experience in nursing supervision, bed management, and discharge planning. She has specialized certifications in Basic and Advanced Life Support, wound care, intravenous therapy, and OASIS for Medicare home care practices in New York State. Patricia played a critical role on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic at Montefiore Medical Center, serving patients in both the ICU and emergency department, as well as in home care In her current role, she coordinates complex discharge planning, including home care services, hospice, rehabilitation placement, and insurance management She also serves as an EPIC credentialed trainer, supporting clinical staff through system implementation and documentation development A graduate of Maria Regina High School, Patricia continued her education at Iona College before earning her Associate Degree in Nursing from Westchester Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. She resides in the Bronx with her daughter, a current senior at Maria Regina High School.
COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS, & JOURNALISM
JANINE Elliot
ANEESA Ally
Janine Elliot is a 2005 graduate of Maria Regina High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Quinnipiac University and is now a two-time Emmy Award–winning journalist with 15 years of experience in morning television She began her career at Fox News Channel and has worked at ABC News since 2013, producing, writing, and editing news stories seen nationwide.
LITY, CULINARY, & TOURISM
Aneesa Ally graduated from Maria Regina in 2024. She is currently in her second year at Fordham University in the Gabelli School of Business, majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Sports Business, and a minor in Psychology. While in college, Aneesa has gained hands-on experience working with Legends Global Hospitality at Yankee Stadium as a Premium Supervisor, where she supports operations in premium hospitality areas and large-scale events She also just finished coaching a 5th-grade boys’ basketball team, which has deepened her interest in mentorship, leadership development, and sports management. She is excited to return to Maria Regina to share insights about her journey from high school to college and the opportunities available in business and sports hospitality.