25 under 35

SAINT JOSEPH AC ADEMY

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25 35 U N D E R

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SAINT JOSEPH AC ADEMY

“25Under 35” Inaugural

Award Recognizes Outstanding Young Alumnae

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civil engineer, a medical resident at Vanderbilt University, a nonprofit fundraiser, an assistant principal and even a public health analyst - these are just some accomplishments of the alumnae who were honored in late June with the inaugural “25 Under 35” award. The event, part of the yearlong celebration of SJA’s 125th birthday, recognized alumnae who have gone above and beyond in their studies and careers. They were chosen for their achievements, spirituality and compassionate leadership and service in a global society. These distinguished young women already are making their marks in the world as educators, doctors, artists, lawyers, advocates and a variety

of other professions. At a young age, they are living the mission and charism embodied by SJA’s founders and sponsors, the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

The honorees were chosen by a panel of female professionals who are former or current members of the Saint Joseph Academy Board of Directors. “The achievements of my fellow recipients are impressive, but that’s certainly no surprise. SJA forms and nurtures strong young women, poised to make a difference,” shared CORE Ministry teacher Alison Barberic ’01, a “25 Under 35” honoree. “I’m grateful for the influence SJA had and continues to have in my life.”

Saint Joseph Academy SUMMER 2015

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Sandy Abraham ’03

Alison Barberic ’01

Director • Cleveland Breakthrough Schools

Theology Teacher • Saint Joseph Academy

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University • Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education and Physical Science from National Louis University

Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Saint Vincent College • Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology

Sister of Lisa Abraham Hoekenga ’00 Resident of Westlake, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Kappa Theta Epsilon Honorary Society member The Ohio State University College of Engineering • Published in the Education Post, 2014 - 2015 • Outstanding Student of the Year from The Ohio State University’s Chemical Engineering Department, 2008

In her role as the Director of Human Capital Performance and Pathways at Cleveland Breakthrough Schools, Sandy oversees programs and leads initiatives for developing excellent school and network leaders. In her free time, Sandy enjoys volunteering for Teach For America and is passionate about creating ways to end educational inequality.

Daughter of Carol Lusnia Barberic ‘70 Resident of Westlake, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Recipient of SJA’s Sr. Edith Franz, CSJ Outstanding Faculty Award in 2011 • Recipient of SJA’s Sursum Corda Faculty Award in 2011

Alison is a teacher and a dedicated member of CORE Ministry at SJA, especially assisting with all of the student-lead retreats every year. She inspires students every day through her love of God and SJA, truly living out the mission of Christ and the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

She also serves her home parish of St. Raphael as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and volunteers with Team Greyhound Adoption of Ohio.

Allison Busser ’04 “SJA helps girls grow into women who are leaders and who are a part of their communities. They do so in a way that is really fun and lively! It was highly formative and highly memorable for all great reasons.”

Director of Disability Services • St. Lawrence University

– Sandy Abraham | What Would You Tell Eighth Grade Girls About SJA?

Daughter of Marybeth Fox Busser N’74 Sister of Kelly Busser Guyer ’07

Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training from Otterbein College • Master of Education in Counseling and Human Development from St. Lawrence University • Master of Education in Educational Leadership from St. Lawrence University

Resident of Canton, NY

Kate Andrejcak ’06 Behavioral Specialist • Help Me Grow Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University Resident of Lakewood, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Member of Autism Speaks and raises awareness through speaking at their events

Through her career as a Behavioral Specialist, Kate has served many families of children with autism in her community. She currently works with families with children with developmental delays or birth defects, and coordinates all in-patient and outpatient therapies received by families. Not only does she help provide resources to families that need assistance with housing and special needs for their children, but she also helps locate and facilitate programs that provide additional services to qualifying families. Kate also sponsors a child through a missionary program, all while working towards earning her Master of Education and working to become certified to volunteer at Providence House.

ACHIEVEMENTS • Executive Board Member of Otterbein College Athletic Training Students • Assistant Volleyball Coach at St. Lawrence University – coached program’s first player to be named an “All-American” • Presenter at the Eighth International Conference on Higher Education and Disability in Innsbruck, Austria, 2013

Allison has volunteered for many organizations, but she was an influential member of The Refugee Response. She mentored a family of resettled refugees and one of the girls in the family had the opportunity to receive an education from SJA. In her professional position, she provides leadership for design, development and implementation of disability services, programs and training for students, faculty and staff to help ensure that all of St. Lawrence University’s students with disabilities enjoy their experience to the fullest extent possible.

“Stay true to yourself, surround yourself with good people and don’t let the bad ones bring you down. Trust your instincts, don’t be afraid to ask questions so that you can make informed decisions and give yourself permission to make mistakes.”

– Allison Busser | What Would You Tell Your Twelfth Grade Self ?

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Maureen Clark ’05

Christine Dersi Davis ’03

Public Health Analyst • National Cancer Institute

Executive Director • Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association

Bachelor of Science, Science Pre-Professional Studies and Honors English from the University of Notre Dame • Master of Public Health, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education from Emory University Resident of Bethesda, MD ACHIEVEMENTS • Presidential Management Fellowship, appointed in 2014 • Emory University’s Delta Omega Public Health Honors Society, inducted in 2014 • Received Student Leadership Award from the University of Notre Dame in 2009

While at SJA, Maureen developed empathy and a love of service that led her down a path of improving lives. She has been a faithful volunteer for several years. While in graduate school, she worked at a free clinic for women and children experiencing homelessness. She currently does most of her volunteering through her parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in Washington, D.C. At the National Cancer Institute, she completes rotations as a Presidential Management Fellow, working to identify trends and opportunities in health communication.

“SJA will help you grow to be a strong, independent woman with a passion for helping others.You will learn in and outside of the classroom that you have a vital role to play in addressing the most important issues facing your communities, your country and the world. Finally, you will be encouraged to have a living faith that seeks the fulfillment of the kingdom of God.” – Maureen Clark | What Would You Tell Eighth Grade Girls About SJA?

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, Concentration in Development and Land Use from Allegheny College • Masters of Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University Daughter of Diane Whitaker Dersi ’66 Resident of Copley Township, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Selected as the Chair of the Copley Township Architectural Review Board, 2014 • Elected Vice Chair of the New Urbanism Division of the American Planning Association, 2011 • Selected as a Downtown Cleveland City Advocate, 2010 • Received the Wallace G. Teare Prize for Outstanding Work in Community Development and Housing Research, 2009

Christine has been an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist since being a student at SJA in 2002 and now serves at Saint Hilary parish in Fairlawn, OH. She combines her service with her career as a member of a volunteer civic board in Copley Township. At her current position, Christine works hard to promote orderly and harmonious development while enhancing living conditions for the community.

Eileen Dorsey ’01 Fine Artist • Self Employed Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting from Kent State University

Liz Conway ’99 Institutional Giving Manager • Cleveland Play House Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Fordham University Granddaughter of Carol Volk Simmerly ’45 • Daughter of Mary Simmerly Conway ’74 Resident of Cleveland, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Finalist for “Best Actress in a Non-Musical”

by Scene Magazine, 2013 • Awarded “Best Actress in a Drama” by Scene Magazine, 2012 • Finalist for “Best Actress in a Non-Musical”

by Cleveland Theater Reviews, 2012

Liz is the Board Chair of Talespinner Children’s Theatre and was a part of their founding Board of Directors. She also volunteers at SJA and helped start SJA’s “Earn Your Spots” 5K Race and One Mile Walk” that happens each Memorial Day. The race is one of the fundraisers for the Academy’s scholarships. Her passions for theater and giving drew her to her role at the Cleveland Play House where she is responsible for securing support from the corporate community through the strategic development of partnerships, sponsorships and engagement.

Daughter of Christine Lynch Dorsey ’66 • Sister of Christine Dorsey ’92 Resident of Cleveland, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Shown work at Baldwin Wallace University, The Butler Institute of American Art and Cuyahoga County Community College • Accepted into the Vermont Studio Center for artist residency, 2011 • Works featured in University Hospital’s Case Medical Center art collection

Eileen's work has been showcased at many impressive galleries. She is an established and talented self-employed artist. Eileen has also done volunteer work with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Cleveland West Arts League. To combine her love for art with her love of service, Eileen has donated several of her works to charity auctions that raise funds for their causes.

“I absolutely cherished my time at SJA and benefitted incredibly from a single-sex education.

We were encouraged to achieve anything we set our minds to and we always knew there was support from our teachers and fellow students.”

– Liz Conway | What Would You Tell Eighth Grade Girls About SJA?

Saint Joseph Academy SUMMER 2015

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Meghan Fibbi ’05

Emily Hanson ’99

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine • University of Pennsylvania

Assistant Principal • Saint Joseph Academy

Bachelor of Arts in Medical Anthropology from Case Western Reserve University • Master of Public Health in Community Health and Prevention from Drexel University Daughter of Laura Fallon Fibbi ’77 • Sister of Kathleen ’07, Maura ’09, Bridget ’12 and Clare Fibbi ’15 Resident of Philadelphia, PA ACHIEVEMENTS • Received Bernard F. Master DO Scholarship, 2015 • Winner of Exemplary Community-Based Master’s Project Award at Drexel University School of Public Health, 2011 • Winner of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia Public Health Poster Session, 2011

Meghan has spent many years volunteering her time at Washington West Free Clinic due to her desire to give back to the community. Meghan also helped organize trainings while in school so that other medical students could volunteer at the clinic. While at the University of Pennsylvania, her internship allowed her to design a system that facilitated food stamp enrollment for eligible patients in the hospital. Her career in Family Medicine is a result of her love for “serving the dear neighbor,” where she hopes to provide primary care to the most medically and socially vulnerable populations in urban areas.

Krista Freeman ’07 Doctoral Research Fellow • Carnegie Mellon University Bachelor of Science in Physics from Cleveland State University Sister of Klaire Freeman ’05 Resident of Pittsburgh, PA ACHIEVEMENTS • Graduated Valedictorian of her class at Cleveland State University • Elected to the Chair track of the American Physical Society Forum on Graduate Student Affairs • Selected as a young scientist participant in 2015 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting • Featured in the National Science Foundation’s 2015 Women’s History Month #WomenInSTEM Social Media Campaign

Krista is the Outreach Coordinator for the Cleveland State University Physics Department, where she plans fun and engaging physics lessons for elementary school children at Cleveland’s Campus International School. She began this program in 2011 at Cleveland State University and has been able to continue her leadership and participation as a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University. She is passionate about this work because she enjoys having the opportunity to inspire the next generation of scientists. She has also been selected as a Doctoral graduate research fellow for the National Science Foundation and is well on her way to inspire many more future scientists.

Bachelor of Science in Education: Secondary Social Studies from Miami University • Master of Educational Administration from Ursuline College Sister of Melanie Hanson Bahr ’04 Resident of Rocky River, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Board Member and Vice Chair of Talespinner Children’s Theatre since 2012 • Trained as an AVID District Director

Emily is the Vice Chair of Talespinner Children’s Theatre, which provides local children of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds a chance to experience professional children’s theatre. At SJA, she is responsible for the curriculum, program development and evaluation, as well as monitoring students’ academic and social progress that helps young women flourish at SJA.

Elizabeth Looney ’02 Medical Student • Northeast Ohio Medical University Bachelor of Art in Psychology and Latin American Studies from University of San Francisco • Master of Arts in Community and Social Psychology from University of Massachusetts, Lowell Granddaughter of Susanne Storey Looney ’49 (deceased) Resident of Lakewood, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society inductee, 2015 • Featured in Crain’s Cleveland Business “Who to Watch in Medicine,” 2014 • Received Campus Leadership Award from University of Massachusetts, Lowell, 2009

Before starting medical school, Elizabeth served in El Salvador for two years in their underserved communities and acted as a coordinator for student groups visiting the country. She was chosen one of six medical students selected to participate in Akron General Hospital’s CRAFT program. In this program, she is able to spend eight weeks working alongside physicians and residents in Family Medicine and participate in both in-patient and out-patient primary care. She also collaborates with Summit County Health Department to research and present cultural and medical profiles of incoming refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"SJA has a tradition of social justice and Catholic social teaching. It fosters a culture of exploring complex ethical and sociopolitical issues in the context of stewardship, love of neighbor and global responsibility. My years at SJA shaped my conscience and worldview in a way that still guides me today."

– Meghan Fibbi | What Would You Tell Eighth Grade Girls About SJA?

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Megan Lowes ’09

Gina Morris Tohme ’99

Stewardship Coordinator • St. Ambrose Catholic Parish

President • foundation., llc

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from John Carroll University • Master of Nonprofit Administration from John Carroll University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing Communication from College of Mount St. Joseph • Master of Business Administration in Business Administration, Management and Operations from Case Western Reserve University

Resident of Parma Heights, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • National Jesuit Honor Society from John Carroll University • John Carroll University Rising Nonprofit Leader Spotlight, 2013 • John Carroll University Outstanding Student Leadership Award, 2012 • John Carroll University Student Leader of the Year Award, 2011

Megan participates in several extra service projects around the parish community of St. Ambrose, where she works as the Stewardship Coordinator. She is inspired by the vibrancy of the faith community and feels blessed to call her parish her workplace.

“We need more female leaders today. Stay involved. No one is going to look out for your career or success like you will. You’re the CEO of your success and your career.”

– Gina Morris Tohme | What Would You Tell Your Twelfth Grade Self ?

Resident of Mayfield Village, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Crain’s Cleveland Business “40 Under 40”, October 2014 • March of Dimes Volunteer of the Year, 2008 • Founding Board Member, Marketing Co-chair of Cleveland Museum of Art’s Young Leaders Board

Gina is dedicated to helping others. She has been a volunteer with March of Dimes for nearly a decade and has a deep appreciation for the cause. At foundation., a brand advertisement and communication strategies firm she founded, she is passionate about assisting companies and cities in identifying their uniqueness by helping them understand “why” they stand out from their competition. She has extensive marketing, communication and brand building experience working with Fortune 100 brands, non-profits, professional sports teams and major entertainment companies. As a founding Board Member of the Young Leader’s Board, she aims to cultivate young professionals into the next generation of leadership for Cleveland Museum of Art.

Ashley Nemeh ’06 National Recording Artist Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University

Hannah McGlynn ’07

Daughter of Catherine Ghazoul Nemeh ’74 • Sister of Fadia ’02 and Deborah Nemeh ’08

Physical Therapist • Select Medical

Resident of Cleveland, OH

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from St. Louis University • Doctor of Physical Therapy from St. Louis University

ACHIEVEMENTS • All Access Music Group’s Best Upcoming Pop Artist • Performed with Rascal Flatts, John Tesh and Jim Brickman • Co-writer of her Gospel album “Rise Again” • Her original song “Anything Is Possible” used by ABC’s “20/20”

Daughter of Rose Marie Forrest McGlynn ’76 • Sister of Moira ’11, Ciara ’14 and Alana McGlynn ’17 Resident of St. Louis, MO ACHIEVEMENTS • Obtained LSVT BIG Certification, allowing her to give physical therapy treatment to patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders • Martin Luther King Scholar at St. Louis University

Hannah’s line of work includes helping patients who have had a stroke, amputation, brain injury and other neurological conditions or movement disorders. Outside of the workplace, she volunteers at community events that focus on preventative healthcare, as well as providing information and resources to patients and caregivers.

Ashley shares her God-given talents in the form of song for Catholic churches and organizations. She has also performed for charity events such as St. Jude’s Hospital and the OutRun Ovarian Cancer Walk at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She wrote a song, “Anything Is Possible,” for Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, with all proceeds going to the Cleveland Courage Fund, which assists these courageous women build their futures. She has been featured on numerous television and radio programs, where she inspires a message of hope and peace.

Selection Committee Members Kelly Hancock P’17, Executive Chief Nursing Officer Cleveland Clinic Health System Lauralee Howley, Executive Director Howley Family Foundation Linda Kane ’75, Senior Vice President, Treasurer Forest City Enterprises Daria Roebuck ’75, Retired Vice President, Human Resources, ERICO International Tari Rivera, President, Regency Construction Services

Claire Occhionero ’06

Meghan Roach Kapp ’01

Physical Therapist • Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Chief Resident • Vanderbilt University

Bachelor of Science in Biology from DePaul University • Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of Pittsburgh

Bachelor of Science in Applied Forensic Science from Mercyhurst University • Master of Science in Applied Anatomy from Case Western Reserve University • Graduate Certificate in Pathology from The University of Toledo

Daughter of Maria Schnell Occhionero N ’79 • Sister of Tessa Occhionero ’11 Resident of Chicago, IL

Granddaughter of Carol O’Reilly Hughes ’53 • Sister of Emily Roach ’02

ACHIEVEMENTS • Class president at the University of Pittsburgh (3 years) • Organized “Marge Madness" basketball tournament and raised $15,500 to endow the Maggie Daniels Scholarship at SJA in memory of her cousin • Helped raise over $1,000 to benefit the Arthritis Foundation

Resident of Nashville, TN

Claire is a compassionate leader. In addition to her career of helping others overcome physical challenges, Claire, is very involved in her community with organizations like Girls on the Run and Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Meghan’s volunteerism has been centered on the Choosing Wisely campaign.

She tries to “serve the dear neighbor” by increasing the quality of care through focus on the patient experience, test necessity and the reduction of unnecessary medical testing. Meghan continues helping others through her role as Resident Representative for the Department of Pathology for three separate committees at Vanderbilt University and as a teacher for both Vanderbilt University and Belmont University. She was also named one of two pathology representatives by the Association of Pathology Chairs to a two-year term from the American Association of Medical Colleges’s Organization of Resident Representatives.

Renee Rawlings ’06 Intervention Specialist • Cleveland Metropolitan School District Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University • Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Walden University Granddaughter of Joan Wasmer Rawlings ’46 Resident of Lakewood, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Graduated magna cum laude from Kent State University

ACHIEVEMENTS • Inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society for academic excellence • Recognized as Gold Humanism Honor Society member

Kathryn Rybarczyk ’02 Plant Utility Maintenance Person • Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Associate of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Cuyahoga Community College Daughter of Roseanne Zona Rybarczyk ’70

Renee participates in the ministry St. Augustine Church parish through the religious education program, hunger center, and sign language interpreting needs. In her career, she is responsible for writing and implementing all of the Individualized Education Plans for students and instructing a multileveled selfcontained special education classroom in all core content areas. This fall, she will transition to Beaumont School as an Intervention Specialist.

Resident of Parma Heights, OH

Emily Roach ’02

Kathryn has faced adversity and overcome several obstacles, which lead her to be the first female to successfully complete the Maintenance Training Program. She is extremely skilled in her line of work and cares for her community by performing predictive and preventative maintenance on her plant’s mechanical equipment. She served in the Military Police and is now a proud Veteran of the US Army.

Veterinarian • North Royalton Animal Hospital Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mercyhurst University • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University

ACHIEVEMENTS • First female to successfully complete the Maintenance Training Program for Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District • The District’s only female mechanic • Completed the YWCA’s Women’s Leadership Bootcamp • Obtained Class III Wastewater Operator’s License

Granddaughter of Carol O’Reilly Hughes ’53 • Sister of Meghan Roach Kapp ’01 Resident of Lakewood, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Former President of the Cleveland Academy of Veterinary Medicine • The hospital she is employed at was awarded the American Animal Hospital Association Practice of the Year, 2015

Since she was a teenager, Emily has volunteered with Valley Riding Inc. Therapeutic Riding Program. Her love of animals was a part of her career as a Veterinarian and as a result was awarded the 2015 AAHA Practice of the Year for North Royalton Animal Hospital.

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

“Life’s path is certainly not a straight line, but every twist and turn should be embraced fully as it teaches you something and will lead you to the next step in the adventure of discovering who you are and what you are meant to do.”

– Meghan Roach Kapp | What Would You Tell Your Twelfth Grade Self ?

Ellen Setzer ’08

Emily Tarr ’07

Case Manager • Monarch Center for Autism

Senior Account Executive • Falls Communications

Bachelor of Science in Health and Sciences from Cleveland State University

Bachelor of Arts in English from The College of Wooster

Resident of Cleveland, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Elected to the Parish Pastoral Council at St. Thomas More Parish

Ellen volunteers for the Men’s Emergency Shelter in Cleveland, which is run through Lutheran Ministries. At work, Ellen has the chance to serve teenage boys who are in the Autism spectrum and assists them in reaching their potential levels of self-sufficiency.

“I would tell myself to go out of my comfort zone more. The best opportunities I’ve had were ones that came from new situations where I was initially apprehensive.”

- Margaret Sweeney Kresser | What Would You Tell Your Twelfth Grade Self ?

Granddaughter of Margaret Loan Tarr-Smith ’52 • Daughter of Michelle Rattay Tarr ’75 Resident of Lakewood, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Graduated summa cum laude from The College of Wooster • Received the Paul Q. White Prize in English and English Departmental Honors at The College of Wooster

Emily feels that it is important to keep young professionals engaged in Cleveland, which is why she volunteered as the Communications Director of the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club. She is also the youngest Senior Account Executives employed at Falls Communications. In her position, Emily cooperates with account teams to create effective communication strategies for clients.

Shannon Tomek ’08 Assistant Superintendent • Turner Construction Company Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Dayton Resident of Cincinnati, OH

Margaret Sweeney Kresser ’03, J.D. Assistant United States Attorney • United States Department of Justice Bachelor of Arts from Miami University • Juris Doctor in Criminal Law from Cleveland State University Resident of Cleveland, OH ACHIEVEMENTS • Cleveland State Law Review’s Executive Editor of the Year, 2010 • Graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 2010 • Federal Bar Association Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law, 2009 • ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in Employment Law, 2008 • Cleveland-Marshall Public Interest Fellowship, 2008

While at SJA, Margaret played an integral role in bringing the Kairos retreat to the students in 2003 and was a leader for its first retreat. She continues to be active at SJA through the Women’s Leadership Symposium and other events. Due to her passion for community and women’s leadership, Margaret chose a career that has allowed her to continue to help others. She was selected for the Department of Justice Honors Program and was hired into the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2012. Margaret is currently an Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting under the United States Department of Justice’s drug unit. She is also an adjunct professor at Cleveland State’s Cleveland Marshall School of Law. Throughout her life, she has had a decisive and firm commitment to pursuing and upholding a more just world.

ACHIEVEMENTS • Received the Leadership Turner Leadership Award by peers in Leadership Turner program • United States Green Building Council certified LEED Green Associate • Obtained Stormwater USA Certification

In her career, Shannon assists in engineering, superintending and managing construction documents. She is also a committee member for Give Back Cincinnati. In this program, Shannon participates in several service projects, such as cleaning garbage off of the streets and rivers, hosting game days for underprivileged kids and craft nights at nursing homes. During her time at the University of Dayton, she traveled to Africa to help get potable water to remote villages in poor areas of the country.

“Acceptance – that is by far the greatest thing I think SJA has that so many other schools don’t. It doesn’t matter what you look like, where you are from, what your interests are, you will fit in at SJA. This is so important because it allows girls to be themselves and develop into the young women they have such great potential to become.”

– Shannon Tomek | What Would You Tell Eighth Grade Girls About SJA?

Saint Joseph Academy SUMMER 2015

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