St. Agnes Home Welcomes New Trustees

, which opened its doors in 1914 to serve pregnant and parenting teens and their babies, is pleased to announce its newest members elected to the Board of Trustees. The current Board of Trustees embodies the vision of St. Agnes Home as a culturally competent, judgment-free, welcoming place for adolescent mothers to learn the skills they will need to be caring parents and productive members of their communities. We are thrilled to welcome Deitrich Davidheiser, Bill Gammell, Frank Hann, Rich Hubbard, Beverly Lung'aho, Carolyn McGrattan, and Michael Sharpe to the Board. A brief biography of each Trustee follows:

Deitrich Davidheiser, Actuarial Analyst at Aetna and Graduate of Pennsylvania State University (May 2011), has this to say about his recent appointment to the Board of Trustees at St. Agnes Home: "The foundation of any viable and successful community is unity and caring. At St. Agnes Home we embody this in both the time that we invest, and the genuine assistance that we  provide to the young women and their children. When it comes to assuring every child has a supporting cast, we will not take a back seat and fail our kids who need us most. As we all know diversity is a huge piece to any successful organization. Not only in race and gender, but in perspective and ideas, as well. St. Agnes, understanding this vital concept, has created a diverse board that I am very proud to be a part of and look forward to serving on!" Deitrich tutors 4th graders in math at Noah Webster Micro Society Magnet School as well as serves as a mentor at High School Inc.

William J. Gammell is Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for Institutional Effectiveness at Eastern Connecticut State University. Early in his career he was Assistant Director of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining Eastern, Bill served as a Vice President at Louis Harris & Associates and as a Principal Consultant at Abt Associates, Inc. He also serves on the Board of Directors of  Jensen’s Inc. of Southington, and Windham Hospital’s Board of Corporators.

Frank Hann was an employee of the Town of Manchester for 33 Years before retiring. In his employment with the Town was very active in AFSCME Local 991 of Council 4. Presently keeps himself busy as a Deacon in the Norwich Diocese assigned presently to St. Luke's in Ellington. He also watches his grandchildren during the weekdays. His interest in St. Agnes is to give back to a place where he was born.

Kelcy Laing-Hardrick graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico and is currently employed as a Social Worker for the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). She states "More than any other skill emphasized as important for children, I believe that youth, especially youth in our communities, who can express their feelings verbally, and through writing have a hand up on a child gifted in any other area. Learning how to communicate effectively is of prime importance and should be a parent's number one goal for their child."

Pam Hippolyte lives in West Hartford and works at Webster Bank, helping clients with choosing the right mortgage program as a first time buyer, move up buyer, new constructions or refinancing existing mortgages. She helped one of our past St. Agnes Home residents with her mortgage as a first time buyer. In addition to serving on the St. Agnes Home Board, Pam works with several non-profit agencies in outreach to first time home buyers to educate in many mortgage products available to them. She also volunteers at St. Francis Hospital through the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Rich Hubbard, a recent transplant to the Hartford area, is employed at The Hartford and has this to say about his work with non-profits: "I strongly believe that bettering the lives of young people benefits all of society. That is why I  especially enjoy supporting organizations that focus on empowering our youth to create better futures. As a new member, I am enjoying getting to know St. Agnes and appreciate the opportunity to volunteer with an organization doing such important work in our community. St. Agnes is making an impact and changing lives." In addition to St. Agnes, Rich supports Junior Achievement.

Sister Mary Kelly, CSJ, is a native of Hartford. She has a sixth year in Secondary Administration from the University of Connecticut. Sister Mary Kelly has been a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford, for over 60 years. Sister’s career during those many years was serving in the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Diocese of Bridgeport as a principal and teacher. Sister is a former Provincial of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery from 1997 to 2002. Currently, she is working for the Archdiocese of Hartford as the Director of the Office of Safe Environment and Director of the Office for Religious. Presently, Sister is a member of the Board of Directors for St. Agnes Home and the House of Bread in Hartford.

Beverly Lung'aho: A native of Virginia, Beverly graduated from Hampton Institute, now University, with a B.A. in French and studied French Literature at American University. Beverly worked full-time in the insurance industry for 27 years, most recently as a member of the community relations management team at Citigroup/Travelers Life & Annuity. Beverly has served on a number of non-profit boards and committees. She currently works as a Consultant in the Community Relations area of The Travelers Companies, Inc. Beverly has two daughters and resides with her husband in West Hartford.

Lee Martin was born and raised in Hartford Connecticut, served 22 years on the Hartford Police Department and retired from the United States Air Force and the Army Reserves. After serving 10 years as the Director of Investigations, Second Injury Fund, Connecticut State Treasury Department, Lee retired. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees, St. Agnes Home and is Assistant Council Commissioner of the Connecticut Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America. He devotes his time as an active member of the NAACP, Urban League and Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, F&AM. He is a Life Member in the following organizations: American Military Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and American Legion and a 58-year member of the Faith Congregational Church, UCC, in Hartford Connecticut., Lee currently holds several leadership positions in the church and sings in the choir. He has received many awards and recognition from community and non-profit organizations in the Greater Hartford area.

Carolyn McGrattan is actively involved with Leadership Greater Harford, MetroHartford Alliance and serves on the Communications Action Team for reSET (Social Enterprise Trust). She is a member of the CT Chapter of the American Marketing Association, Women in Leadership and Service WCUPA, Women in Broadcast Media and the Loyola University Parents Council. A resident of Avon for more than twenty years, McGrattan has been involved in numerous community outreach programs for United Way, Gifts of Love, ConnectiKids, and American Red Cross. She lives in Avon with her husband, Joe, and their two children.

Cynthia McKenna, LCSW is Director of Program Planning and Development for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford. In this capacity she is responsible for strategic planning and program development; establishing and implementing outcome measures for all agency programs, and providing technical assistance to managers on program budgeting, quality assurance, evaluation and outcome measurement. Ms. McKenna served as a director of foster care and adoption programs for thirteen years. Her extensive social work experience also extends into the areas of child and adult behavioral health services, early childhood and youth services as well as culturally competent treatment modalities/services. Ms. McKenna has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Connecticut.

Maria Morelli Wolfe is an attorney with Greater Hartford Legal Aid and brings a wealth of experience to the Board of Trustees.

Marian Murphy is a community activist and long-time supporter of St. Agnes Home. She is the current president of the Guild of St. Agnes, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year.

Lois M. Nesci is the Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Hartford. Prior to her appointment to CEO, Ms. Nesci served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Agency. In her nine years with Catholic Charities, Ms. Nesci has served in a variety of roles at the Agency with steadily increasing responsibilities. She is credited with bringing several improvements to the management process of the Agency in the areas of strengthening program leadership, human resources, information technology, and performance quality improvement.

Prior to her work at Catholic Charities, Ms. Nesci’s experience in the field of human services includes Brightside for Families and Children in West Springfield, MA and Gray Lodge in Hartford, CT. Ms. Nesci earned a masters degree in counseling and a bachelor’s degree in education and religious studies from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT where she also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and is the President of the Alumnae/i Association.

Master Sergeant Claire M. S. Potier distinguished herself in the performance outstanding serviced to the United States as Personnel Assistant, Joint Force Headquarters Connecticut Air National Guard from August 1996–September 2011. During this period Sergeant Potier was instrumental in providing flawless administrative support to members of the Connecticut Air National Guard’s Headquarters. A unifying presence in planning and implementation of numerous joint diversity events such as the local Hispanic Heritage and Black History Month Celebrations, her efforts were recognized as the recipient of the 2005 NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award for Renowned Service. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Potier culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of her country and reflect great credit upon herself, the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force. Claire is also a dedicated member of St. Michael's church and The Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary.

Dr. Michael Sharpe, a graduate of Columbia University, B.A., Norwich University, M.Psy and New York University, PhD, is currently the Chief Executive Officer for one of the country’s top performing urban schools, Jumoke Academy Schools, in Hartford, CT. Dr. Sharpe, a lifelong resident of Connecticut, has dedicated most of his professional career working on programs in urban centers that positively impact children in the areas of education and mental health. Dr. Sharpe is serving his fourth term as president of the Connecticut Charter School Association. He is a member of the Beta Iota, Boule; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and Bethel AME Church in Bloomfield, CT. In his spare time Dr. Sharpe enjoys a fast paced racquetball game, chess, kibitzing about politics, gardening and cruising to warm climates. He was recently named  the 2012 "Man of the Year" by Connecticut's African American Affairs Commission.

Mr. Jim Shortley, CPCU, of Unionville was recently elected Chairperson, Board of Trustees of Saint Agnes Home in West Hartford, CT. Jim retired after a 35 year career in the insurance industry. His most recent position was Vice President-Regional Manager of New England Operations for Nationwide Insurance. In addition to Saint Agnes Home, Jim also serves as President of the Board of Directors of Family Life Education in Hartford and is active in his church, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea in Unionville.  

Deb Ullman, a long time resident of West Hartford, is the CEO of the YWCA Hartford region. She also serves on the board of the CT Association of Nonprofits and the YWCA Retirement Fund Board. Prior to joining the YWCA in 2004, she had a distinguished 25 year career in a variety of senior leadership positions at Aetna, Phoenix and American Skandia. This included responsibilities in Finance, Strategic Planning and Customer Service. Her work and community involvement demonstrate her passionate belief that every woman and girl deserves the opportunity to own their future, whatever they may want that to be. She was recently recognized as a Woman of Distinction by the Total Woman Conference.

For more information, please contact Kathleen Costello at 860.521.7516 or www.stagneshome.org.

Submitted release