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President & CEO

Christina Lacagnina

Christina Lacagnina serves as President and CEO of Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, where she leads a vibrant community committed to strong academics, faith formation, and impactful service. A proud graduate of a Catholic all-girls high school and Catholic university, her role at Mercy represents both a professional calling and a deeply personal full-circle moment.

With nearly two decades of experience, Christina brings a strong background in finance, operations, and organizational leadership, paired with a passion for education. Prior to joining Mercy, she held roles as Chief Financial & Operations Officer supporting student success through strategic leadership in business and operations. Earlier in her career, she built a solid foundation in accounting and human resources through leadership roles in both educational institutions and the private sector.

At Mercy, Christina is dedicated to stewarding the school’s mission and resources, ensuring that every investment from families, alumnae, and donors directly enhances student opportunities. She is a firm believer of the transformative power of all-girls education and committed to creating pathways for young women to find their voice, build confidence, and step boldly into leadership in college, careers, and their communities.

Management Team

List of 7 members.

Sherylanne Diodato

Principal

(585) 288-7120 ext. 303
Courtney Dixon

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

(585) 288-7120 ext. 123
Amy Hentschke

Director of Information Technology

(585) 288-7120 ext. 356
Margaret Kenrick

Vice President of Finance and Operations

(585) 288-7120 ext. 307
Erin Reece

Director of Human Resources

(585) 288-7120 ext. 489
Anna Schlia

Interim Advancement Lead and Campaign Consultant

(585) 288-7120
Stephanie Wallace

Director of Enrollment Management

(585) 288-7120 ext. 310

Get to Know Our Faculty and Staff

Faculty5

Why do you love working at Mercy?

Alex Stryker, Social Studies Teacher & Coach

"Working and coaching at Mercy is incredibly rewarding because you build meaningful connections with students while helping them grow in confidence, leadership, and community. It’s inspiring to watch them support one another, develop strong voices, and thrive both in the classroom and in athletics."
Cain Bowman, Science Teacher

"I'm consistently inspired by our students' compassion and curiosity. It makes every day teaching inside the Circle of Mercy its own reward."
Christine Kvam, Director of Campus Ministry

"Our community is made up of people who embody the hope of the Gospel and the spirit of Mercy. It is a blessing to work with students and colleagues who are committed to our mission and live it out each day."
Hannah Padulo, Social Studies Teacher

"I love the community that Mercy fosters. Through our annual traditions, faculty, staff, and students are able to make genuine and meaningful connections."
Therese Randazzese, Mercy Service & Motto Coordinator

"It's a joy coming to work every day. I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to work at the very place that as a teenager, helped to shape my morals, faith, and belonging throughout my entire life. Mercy is an invigorating place to work, simultaneously empowering young females to blossom into influential women leaders for our future!"
Sr. Joan McAteer, Theology Teacher

"I have been blessed to teach two generations of young women at Mercy. One of my joys is seeing the wonderful women they become. So many are involved in helping others, and that is what Mercy is all about."
Benjamin Pulkownik, Career and College Counselor

"The students here at Mercy are the brightest, most intelligent, and well-mannered students I have had the opportunity and honor of working with throughout my career and college readiness career. The faculty and staff have made my transition to not only Mercy, but to the City of Rochester, seamless and have never fallen short of providing my family and me with a sense of community and belonging. I truly look forward to coming to work each and every day."
Katie LaDuke, English Teacher

"As a legacy alum, coming back to be a part of the Mercy faculty was truly like coming home. It is the most positive professional environment I have worked in- everyone is here for the common goal of setting our students up for success, both in and out of the classroom, and that is all I could ever want as someone who once sat in the same desks as these girls."
Doug Tay, Director of Athletics

"As a former Mercy Coach and now Director of Athletics, what makes Mercy special to me is the way faith, values, and excellence are woven into everything we do. Our student-athletes compete with heart, integrity, and respect; both on and off the field. They learn that their strength matters, their presence matters, and their leadership matters. Mercy athletes take true pride in repping the blue and white!"
Sebrina Trout, Health Teacher

"Teaching at Mercy is incredibly meaningful, as I am able to teach health in a way that supports students’ physical, mental, spiritual, and social/emotional well-being in a safe and encouraging environment with amazing, engaged learners. The strong sense of community and the support from staff and administration make Mercy a place where I feel valued and proud to make a difference."
Sr. Karlien Bach, Theology Teacher

"What I love most about OLM is the chance to forge loving relationships first with God and then with the community, especially our beloved students. Each year I receive the same grace to invest in a loving relationship with God and all of us. I teach in the best school in the galaxy because we have the best students, families, and teachers."

View Faculty & Staff Directory

Board of Trustees

Our Board leads with purpose, ensuring Mercy stays bold, grounded, and future-ready.

Mercy’s Board of Trustees volunteers their time and efforts on behalf of the school. This group of learned, passionate women and men ensures the school’s success and prosperity by collectively directing the school’s affairs, while meeting the appropriate interests of the administration, faculty and staff, students, and parents.

In addition to business and financial matters, the Board of Trustees – whether meeting as a full Board or in critical sub-committees – provides oversight of school governance, social responsibility, and ethics. Mercy’s Board of Trustees serves as a role model for the entire school, and we are grateful for their high level of commitment.

Correspondence to the Board of Trustees should be addressed to Esca Stumpf, Executive Assistant, estumpf@mercyhs.com.

Spiritual Life Grotto Mary

Get to Know Our Board Members

List of 20 members.

Christina Lacagnina
Read Full Bio
- Executive Committee
- Institutional Advancement Committee
- Finance Committee
- Campus Committee
- HR Committee
Christina Lacagnina serves as President and CEO of Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, where she leads a vibrant community committed to strong academics, faith formation, and impactful service. A proud graduate of a Catholic all-girls high school and Catholic university, her role at Mercy represents both a professional calling and a deeply personal full-circle moment.
With nearly two decades of experience, Christina brings a strong background in finance, operations, and organizational leadership, paired with a passion for education. Prior to joining Mercy, she held roles as Chief Financial & Operations Officer supporting student success through strategic leadership in business and operations. Earlier in her career, she built a solid foundation in accounting and human resources through leadership roles in both educational institutions and the private sector.

At Mercy, Christina is dedicated to stewarding the school’s mission and resources, ensuring that every investment from families, alumnae, and donors directly enhances student opportunities. She is a firm believer of the transformative power of all-girls education and committed to creating pathways for young women to find their voice, build confidence, and step boldly into leadership in college, careers, and their communities.
Julia Tedesco
Read Full Bio
- Strategic Planning Committee (Chair)
- Executive Committee
- HR Committee
Julia Tedesco is the CEO of Foodlink, the sole food bank serving the Rochester/Finger Lakes
region. Over the past decade, she has led the organization’s evolution to an advanced logistics and
distribution center that provides food access to more than 200,000 individuals annually and works
to provide upstream solutions to hunger and poverty. Julia graduated from OLM in 2001 and is a
proud third-generation alumna. She currently serves on several boards, including Feeding
New York State, Rochester Regional Health, and Rochester Health Reach/Healthcare for the
Homeless. She lives in the City of Rochester with her husband and three children.
Ashley Amalfi
Read Full Bio
- Institutional Advancement Committee
- Executive Committee
Dr. Ashley Amalfi ’02 is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, partner at the Quatela Center for
Plastic Surgery, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Rochester.
Dr. Amalfi is the Chair of the Women in Plastic Surgery Steering Committee and a member
of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She is well published in
scientific medical journals and textbooks. A co-host of the YouTube show Lipstick & LipoTM, she
has a robust following @DrAshleyAmalfi, where she supports and uplifts women and moms.
She has been featured in The NY Times, The Washington Post, VOGUE, The Doctors, Lifetime TV,
ABC News, NBC News, and New Beauty Magazine.
Rebecca Pelino
Read Full Bio
- Finance Committee (Chair)
- Audit Committee (Chair)
- Executive Committee
Rebecca Pelino is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Capital Investment Advisors (CIA), a real
estate investment and development company located in Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating
from St. John Fisher University, Rebecca relocated to Alexandria and began her career in real
estate and eventually co-founded CIA in 1993. At CIA she oversees acquisitions, deal originations
and capital sourcing. Rebecca is eager to leverage her experience by serving on the Board of
Trustees and fostering deeper connections with Our Lady of Mercy. Rebecca believes it is
important to promote equality, independence, and empowerment for woman to achieve their full
potential and contribute to society in meaningful and important ways.
Allen Casey
Read Full Bio
- Finance Committee
Allen (Al) Casey honors the legacy of his late wife, Emily Casey, through his continued
connection to Mercy. Emily taught at Mercy for ten years and made a lasting impact on her
students and colleagues. In her memory, Al established the Emily Casey Memorial Scholarship,
which supports graduating seniors as they pursue higher education. Al is the Controller at Wright
Beverage Distributing, where he brings over 15 years of experience in finance. He also serves on
the boards of UNY TOMRA and the YMCA of Greater Rochester’s Schottland Branch, where he
contributes his financial expertise and commitment to community engagement. A lifelong
Rochester resident, Al is a graduate of McQuaid Jesuit and St. John Fisher University. His service
is grounded in family and a desire to make a meaningful impact, values he shared with Emily and
continues to honor through his professional and volunteer work.
Kathleen Claire
Read Full Bio
- Institutional Advancement Committee
After attending Mercy for both middle school and high school, Katie moved to NYC to attend New
York University where she earned her BFA. Upon graduation, Katie spent years in the fashion
industry, working for several of the most well-respected wholesale apparel companies in the
world, selling designer brands to major department stores and managing businesses of publicly
traded companies. Katie took her knowledge, experience, and transferable skills back to
Rochester, landing at Paychex where she is the Manager of Corporate Partnerships. In that role,
she brings new partners to Paychex, finds new growth and revenue streams, and identifies
merger and acquisition targets. Katie is thrilled for the opportunity to serve Mercy and the
community that gave her so much. She lives in Webster with her husband, two young daughters
(future Mercy Girls), and their Golden Retriever.
Christen Coco Guzman
Read Full Bio
- Academic & Student Affairs Committee
- DEI Task Group
Christen is a proud Mercy alum, wife, mother, therapist and passionate mental health advocate.
Christen earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Psychology from The George Washington
University and her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family
therapy from Pepperdine University. Over the last 15 years, Christen has lived and practiced as a
Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in underserved communities in Inglewood and South Los
Angeles, CA., treating children and families impacted by poverty, inequity, and injustice. Christen
returned to her hometown of Rochester in 2021 to raise her only daughter closer to family and
credits her Mercy education for instilling in her the values that drive her to help others in need,
promoting hope in the most vulnerable, while helping to educate those around her that mental health
is health. Christen currently works for the non-profit, Child Care Council, Inc. where she leads the
mental health clinic. Christen is honored to be a member of OLM Board of Trustees to shine a
spotlight on mental health for the future of the young women at Mercy and her community at large.
Janet Dacey
Read Full Bio
- Academic & Student Affairs Committee (Chair)
- DEI Task Group
Janet Dacey is the proud mom of a 2001 graduate of OLM. In addition, she is mom to three sons
and nana to nine grandchildren. Janet has spent more than 35 years in the field of education in
the Rochester area, including the last 30 at McQuaid Jesuit. At McQuaid, she has served as a
math teacher, Dean of Faculty and Formation, and is currently the Principal of the Middle
School. As a member of the Board of Trustees at Mercy, Janet is eager to actively engage in the
educational mission of the Sisters of Mercy: to nurture competent and compassionate leaders
ready to serve a vulnerable world.
Hoylan Fernandez
Read Full Bio
Hoylan Fernandez ’98 is a transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon at Erie County Medical Center.
She completed her Master of Public Health in 2003, earned her medical degree in 2008,
completed her surgery residency in 2013, and and finished a transplant/hepatobiliary fellowship
in 2016. She went on to become a staff surgeon at Baylor in Dallas-Fort Worth until 2024, when
she relocated to Buffalo, NY. Hoylan is looking forward to contributing her health care and
administrative expertise to the Board.
Barbara Giehl
Read Full Bio
- Academic & Student Affairs Committee
Sr. Barb Giehl has been a Registered Nurse for 49 years with clinical experience in Critical Care,
Burn and Wound Care, Pediatrics, and School Nursing, with the majority of her career spent in
Home Care and Hospice for 23 years, where she was Vice President of Hospice and Palliative Care
at Life Time Care in Rochester, retiring in 2015. Sr. Barb also worked for 15 years as a member
of the Community Care Team in Rochester, helping to care for sisters living at Mercy Center. Sr.
Barb was a Mercy Associate for 27 years and served as Director of Mercy Association in Roch-
ester from 1992-1996. She was married to Gerry Giehl (former Mercy math teacher) for 31 short
years until his death in 2009, and with whom she shares four adult children and six grandchildren.
In her previous ministry at Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center, Sr. Barb was Director
of Mission Integration, Retreats, Hospitality, and Volunteers for over three years before being
appointed in February 2025 as Regional Director of Health and Wellness with the Sisters of Mercy
in Rochester and Buffalo, Erie, and Pittsburgh. Sr. Barb moved to the Rochester area in
August 2025 and professed Final Vows as a Sister of Mercy of the Americas in September 2025.
Tae'lor Jackson
Read Full Bio
- Institutional Advancement Committee
- HR Committee
- DEI Task Group
Tae’lor Jackson ’16 is the president of Panther Graphics, a commercial printing and graphic
solutions company. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in Economics,
she also holds an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School. Currently, she
serves on the Board of Directors for Raising The Barcode, Inc., The Women’s Foundation of
Genesee Valley, and The Urban League of Rochester. Tae’lor finds fulfillment in contributing to
her alma mater and empowering young women through inclusive education.
Bradley Kammholz
Read Full Bio
- Governance Committee (Chair)
- Institutional Advancement Committee
- Executive Committee
Mr. Kammholz is the founding partner of Kammholz Law, PLLC and is currently celebrating
his 20 years as a business owner. His practice is limited exclusively to representing individuals
who have been injured (and families who have lost loved ones) as a result of auto accidents,
medical malpractice, defective products, and construction accidents. Mr. Kammholz grew up in
Washington, D.C., but decided to settle down in Rochester, where his mother grew up and where
he has extended family. He has two children—twins who are currently in law school. His daughter
Madeline is a proud graduate of Mercy.
Nicole Magats
Read Full Bio
Nicole Magats is a Global Managing Director at Microsoft, and resides in Pittsford, NY. With over
30 years of experience in sales, marketing, technology, and strategy, she’s led transformative
initiatives that drive innovation and business growth. Her daughter, Morgan Magats ‘24, is a Mercy
graduate, deepening her personal connection to the community. Nicole is especially passionate
about women’s advocacy, championing opportunities for women in STEM and technology, where
inclusion and empowerment can shape a more equitable and dynamic future.
Michael Monile
Read Full Bio
- Finance Committee
- Audit Committee
Mr. Monile’s journey with Mercy dates back to 1960 when his mother Donna Giamberdino
graduated from OLM. As a child, his grandfather, Art Giamberdino, used to take him to work on
small masonry jobs that the Sisters of Mercy would ask him to do around the campus. One of his
first memories is helping build the Grotto. Over the years many cousins, his older sister Junanne
Monile, and recently his daughters graduated from OLM. The foundation they received prepared
them well for their college experience. His elder daughter will be graduating this year from Xavier
University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and her younger sister is a sophomore
at RIT studying industrial design. Mike’s goal as a parent and Board Member is to do everything
within his power to assist Mercy in their mission, so that young woman always have a single-sex
Catholic education option in Rochester where they can receive a well-rounded, faith-based
education that prepares them to be successful leaders in our community.
Mridula Nair
Read Full Bio
- Academic & Student Affairs Committee
Mridula Nair has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Science
degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in India. She was a postdoctoral fellow at
Columbia University before joining the Kodak Research Laboratories in 1980 where she worked
until July 2024. She was a Research Fellow and Distinguished Inventor who secured 152 granted
U.S. patents. Dr. Nair is an active mentor for the next generation of women in STEM, influencing
them by sharing her professional and personal experiences to ignite their passion for discovery.
She also helps economically and socially disadvantaged girls by promoting their education. She
supports a free breakfast service for school children in India and is now supporting the
construction of the world’s largest free hospital. Additionally, Dr. Nair serves as an advisor and
advocate for academia. Dr. Nair has received numerous accolades including Forbes 50 Over 50
List, Kodak’s Century Award for Extraordinary Achievement, the Rochester Museum and Science
Center’s Changemaker Award, and the Distinguished Alumna Award from IIT.
Renee Rigoni
Read Full Bio
- Finance Committee
- Audit Committee
Renee Rigoni holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and an MBA from RIT. For over 30 years,
she taught accounting at Monroe Community College, receiving a variety of awards for excellence
in teaching, service, and leadership. In retirement, she directs her time, talent, and treasure to
reducing racism in our community through educational outreach, serving as a Mercy Bridges
adult literacy volunteer for two learners and a homework tutor at Nativity Preparatory Academy.
She also plays violin in various community orchestras.
James Schnell
Read Full Bio
- Finance Committee
Jim Schnell is a Partner and Tax Director at Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co., where he specializes
in various areas, including business and tax planning strategies. He is a graduate of McQuaid
Jesuit High School and the parent of OLM alumna Julia Schnell ‘24. Jim’s grandmother was a
member of OLM’s very first graduating class of 1932. Joining the Mercy Board of Trustees is his
way of giving back to the place that provided his daughter and grandmother with such wonderful
experiences and ensuring that the Mercy tradition continues well into the future. Jim appreciates
the role education plays in our society and the crucial role and contributions made by educators
towards students. He believes that teaching our young people the genuine benefits of respectful
collaboration in pursuit of a greater good versus pure self-interest is of utmost importance.
Donna Wilson
Read Full Bio
- Finance Committee
Donna Mazurowski Wilson ’87 is a Chief Financial and Operational Executive with global
experience leading, building, and developing high-performing teams. She attributes her time at
Mercy as a key element in the foundation of her leadership success and proudly wears her Mercy
ring. Donna’s mom, Ellen Barry-Jensen ’63, sister Susan Mazurowski Whelan ’88, and nieces
Emily Whelan ’17 and Meaghan Whelan ’18, all attended Mercy and share her passion in providing
leadership and mentoring opportunities to women and giving back to the community. Donna has
three daughters and lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.
Kathleen Murray
Read Full Bio
Honorary Trustee
Kathleen Walgreen
Read Full Bio
Honorary Trustee

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1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610

Phone: 585-288-7120 | Fax: 585-288-7966 | Email: info@mercyhs.com

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Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a member of Mercy Education.

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