Board of Directors
Board of Directors 2024-2025
(L to R) Mary Harkins P'00, '02; Jennifer Biermann Dubas '93, P'26; Sister Rosanne Orchon '69, SSJ; Sister Theresa Maugle, SSJ; Joseph Ciasullo P'14, '16, '19; James K. Paul (Emeritus) P'99, '01; Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ, President; Chairman Jeff Kohler P'04, '05, '08, '12; Jennifer Lin '76, P'10; John Prendergast; Robin Comerford P'16, '17; Dr. Ryan Killeen; Kathryn E. Carlin '03 (Not pictured: Sister Owen P. Bonner, SSJ; Tina D'Orazio Gedgard '94; Erin McClafferty Erfle '96; Patrick M. Foley; Heather Kates Kelly '88, P'17, '20, '22; Bernadette Dinan Piper '03)
Board Chairman Chat with Mr. Jeff Kohler
October 2024
The Mount is steeped in tradition and history from its founding in 1858 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. When they arrived in Philadelphia, one of their first ministries was a high school for girls—quite unusual and remarkable for that time period. This is the 166th year of a thriving sisterhood, grounded in spirit and community. It is my honor and duty, alongside my fellow members of the board, to support the SSJ mission and the mission of Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
The history of our own Board of Directors is very meaningful to the Mount’s sustained success. The MSJA Board of Directors was created in 2004 with Jim Paul P’99, ’01 serving as the first Chairperson. The Board of Directors followed the Board of Advisors, which began in 1991 under the chairmanship of Nicholas Giordano P’ 93, P' 93. Jim continues to serve the Mount these many years later as Director Emeritus. It was in the 1993-1994 academic year, under the Board of Advisors, that the President and Principal model of leadership was implemented and Sister Mary Dacey served as the first President and Sister Karen Dietrich as the Principal. We can see that take shape today in 2024, as Sister Charlene Diorka begins her fifth school year as President and Elizabeth Blessing her fourth year as Principal.
As Board Members, our fiduciary responsibility is to sustain and advance the Mission of the Mount. This is critically important today—perhaps more than ever before. We are asked to be dedicated and committed servants on behalf of the SSJs and their mission, as well as the Mount and in its mission of educating strong women leaders. The Board of Directors, as the by-laws note, “exercise all such powers of the Corporation” and serve in support of this sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We are entrusted to sustain the legacies and missions of the SSJ’s and the Mount and our role supports the President in ensuring the school’s prominence and success in areas such as finance, facilities, enrollment, and development. The Board is a fluid collection of volunteers with a range of diverse skills and experiences. Board Members and Chairpersons are selected to serve and eventually complete their terms requiring new individuals to serve and support the mission. When Bob Havard finished his term as Chairman of the Board, it was my daunting task and privilege to succeed him in 2022. I know first-hand that Bob felt the same when he succeeded Ann Marie Horner.
As I begin my third year as Chair of the Board, the agenda will again be focused upon “servant leadership,” I am totally dedicated to the mission of the Mount, as are my Board colleagues and friends. We had three outstanding Board Members rotate off our Board in June after completing six-year terms: Monica Duvall DiLella ‘88, Pamela Hunt Gwaltney ‘79, and Laura Johnson ‘08.
We are very pleased to welcome two MSJA alumna to our Board with terms beginning 2024-2025. Jennifer Lin ’76, P '10 is an award-winning journalist, author, and documentary, filmmaker. This has followed her 31-year career with the Philadelphia Inquirer where she was posted as a foreign correspondent in China, financial correspondent on Wall Street, and a national correspondent in Washington, D.C. One of five sisters who also attended the Mount, Jennifer’s daughter Cory is a 2010 graduate. Kate Carlin graduated from the Mount in 2003 and was later honored with her induction into the MSJA Athletic Hall of Fame for a stellar basketball career. She continued to play basketball for four years at Georgetown University graduating in 2007. For the past 15 years with Booz Allen and EY, Kate has consulted on government and Department of Defense projects with the highest level of security clearances. It is very distinguishing that Kate will serve on our MSJA Board just as her father Jawood Carlin did. They are the first father-daughter team to accomplish this.
Our Board composition is fluid with staggered and rotating terms. Each year we say “farewell” and “welcome” to Board Members. The individuals change, yet the commitment to the Mission of educating strong and successful women leaders is ever-present.
Respectfully,
Jeff Kohler
Chairman of the Board of Mount Saint Joseph Academy