Mission-Driven

As we wrap up this series, Maura Sweeney '07 speaks with Mary Beth Sheridan '83.  After studying abroad in England during her junior year at Holy Cross, Mary Beth caught the travel bug and discovered a passion for international affairs.  Thanks to a well-timed question from Professor Helen Whall during her senior year, she embarked on a career in journalism that would take her around the world.  B...

In this episode, Maura Sweeney speaks with Cymetra Williams '03. The conversation follows Cymetra's winding path from the Pacific Northwest, to Worcester, Japan, NYC, New Jersey, and finally, landing in Oklahoma, where, at the time of the podcast recording, she worked as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Cymetra recently relocated to...

In this episode, Maura Sweeney '07 speaks with Annie Long Sullivan '94. A native of Long Island, Annie ended up applying early decision to Holy Cross thanks to a friend from summer camp and never looked back. An English and French double-major, Annie served as a features editor of the Crusader and studied abroad in France her junior year. She continued to leverage her combination of writing and in...

In this episode, Maura Sweeney '07 speaks with Nalani Ramos Ruiz '21. A recent graduate of Holy Cross, Nalani has wasted no time making her mark on the future of Holy Cross. A member of the Holy Cross Board of Trustees, Nalani uses her voice to spread awareness about the importance of diverse people and perspectives among the Holy Cross community. Through her work at Raytheon Technologies, she con...

In this episode, Maura Sweeney '07 speaks with Kerry Sullivan '78.  Former president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Kerry spent her career forging a path in corporate philanthropy.  Early on, she was instrumental in developing Philanthropic Management Foundation Advisory Services — a team responsible for providing philanthropic counsel and grants management to high-net worth clients...

In the first episode of the Lighting the Way series, Maura Sweeney '07 speaks with Quinn Fitzgerald '11.  A mission-driven entrepreneur, Quinn co-founded a company in 2016 focused on creating products that provide a discreet lifeline to people in emergency situations. Her company, Flare, was sold in March 2023. In our conversation, we speak about Quinn's journey to becoming the co-founder of Flare...

In this final episode of Season three, Siobhan Kiernan from the class of 2021 speaks with Sean O'Connor from the class of 1992. As a fundraiser and member of the Holy Cross Annual Fund Team, Siobhan talks with Sean about his accomplished career in fundraising. Today, he continues to make a difference as the Chief Development Officer at the National Audubon Society. Their conversation gives you a b...

In this episode, Colman Benson from the class of 2024 speaks with James Scott from the class of 1995. They connected back in the fall of 2022 to speak about James' path from Ohio to Holy Cross to the Marine Corps, culminating in his current career in banking. They speak about how a clever marketing commercial changed the course of James's career path and how you're never too old to reinvent yourse...

This episode features a conversation between Joe Dulac from the class of 1990 and Ely Bueno from the class of 1998. Joe and Ely first met because they went through the New Hampshire Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program at Concord Hospital. They have stayed in touch since then, but reconnected in a meaningful way during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their conversation showcases how the mission of H...

In this episode, Conor Joslin '23 interviews Thomas Cotter '17 and Brendan Quinn '06.  Thomas and Brendan met while Thomas was a student at Holy Cross. Their professional journeys converge thanks to the app INDX, a startup co-founded by Thomas and funded by Brendan. Through INDX, they hope to channel their energy and create a product that fosters learning, discovery and growth for all. True entrep...

Welcome to Season 3!  New episodes will be released througout the spring and summer of 2022. The first episode of season 3 features a conversation with Chris Mann '00.  Chris has built his career around making a difference in the lives of others.  He's joined in conversation with JP Cunningham '23.  They discuss Chris' time at Holy Cross and how he has carried the HC mission to serve others throug...

This episode features a conversation between Maura Fredey '94 and Elina Kang '23.  A proud alumna of Holy Cross, Maura has stayed engaged with Holy Cross ever since graduation. They speak about her journey to owning a Kitchen Design Business with her husband and business partner-- both class of 1993. Forever giving back and staying engaged, Maura proves that Holy Cross doesn't have to be a four-ye...

In this episode, Catherine Cote '18 is interviewed by Conor Hatton '22.  They speak about her time on campus, as well as the experience abroad that sparked her idea for Project Empathy, performance-based project in which people are paired up and tasked with telling each other's true, personal stories.  Thought-provoking and inspiring, Catherine's story highlights the wonderful impact that we can h...

Mark Cronin '80 and his son John Cronin join Maura Sweeney '07 to speak about how they came to found John's Crazy Socks. A serial entrepreneur, Mark passed along this passion to John.  In the spirit of Holy Cross, theirs is a company created to do good.  Through John's Crazy Socks they are living their mission to "spread happiness," while also serving as advocates for workplace equality and voices...

Modern-day Renaissance woman Yolanda Rabun '90 is joined in conversation with Holly Tente '23.  Their inspirational conversation covers a lot of ground.  With their shared passion for social justice, they speak about how Holy Cross inspires them to work hard and make change in their own communities. Interview originally recorded on February 24, 2021. Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all...

Carolyn Casey '87, founder of Project 351, is joined in conversation fellow alum and Project 351 volunteer, Jamie Hoag '98. They speak about Carolyn's career leading up to the founding of Project 351 and the many ways that the Holy Cross community has lifted her up and supported her along the way. Carolyn's journey exhibits the incredible difference that one person can have in making the world a b...

In this episode, Jordyn Shubrick '22 interviews Ambassador Harry Thomas '78. In their conversation, they talk about Harry's career, reflecting on some of the most memorable moments from his days serving as the US Ambassador. Their conversation showcases the enduring impact that friendships forged at Holy Cross can have on the world. Interview originally recorded on December 16, 2020.   Due to the...

In this episode, Meah Austin '22 interviews Danita Beck-Wickwire '94 about her time on campus and her journey after Holy Cross.  Their conversation highlights the many ways that you can engage your passions throughout your life, be it through service, hobbies or professional work. Interview originally recorded on September 4, 2020.   Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interviews in se...

This episode features a conversation between Payton Shubrick '15 and her sister Jordyn Shubrick '22.  While they share many interests, they have each made their own unique mark as leaders at Holy Cross.  They speak about Payton's time on campus, and how her experience at Holy Cross has shaped her into the driven, hardworking, and trailblazing leader that she is today. Interview originally recorded...

In this episode, Holy Cross professor Stephanie Yuhl reconnects with friend and former student Meg Griffiths '04.  They reminisce about Meg's days on campus, and reflect upon the many ways that the Holy Cross Mission and the pursuit of social justice are evident throughout Meg's life and career. Interview originally recorded on July 31, 2020.  Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interv...

This episode features a conversation between Darrell Byers '83 and Richard Barber '16.  Their conversation is wide-ranging, discussing civil rights, social justice, leadership and of course, the power and influence of being part of the Holy Cross "Club." Interview originally recorded on July 30, 2020.  Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interviews in season 2 are recorded remotely. --...

Welcome to season 2!  In this episode, Christian Haynes '20 speaks with Schone Malliet '74 about his dynamic career and the many ways that he strives to foster diversity, equity, access and inclusion for all. Interview originally recorded on July 30, 2020.  Due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, all interviews in season 2 are recorded remotely. --- Transcript Schone: The question that I have...

In the final episode of season one, Maura Sweeney '07 speaks with Briana Crane '00 as the Novel Coronavirus pandemic is taking hold in the United States. As a member of the fundraising team at Feeding America, we discuss the critical work of her organization to serve the country during this crisis and how Holy Cross inspired her to pursue such life-changing work. Interview originally recorded on A...

Former law clerk John Markey '86 is joined by the Judge's granddaughter, Bridget Power, and together they speak with Judge Harrington '55 about his family as well as his illustrious career. Interview originally recorded on February 21, 2020. --- Transcript Judge Harrington: I got a lot of breaks in life by being a member of the Holy Cross family through Ed Hanify '33 and Arthur Garrity '41. People...

Christian Haynes '20 joins us again to speak with Ron Lawson '75 about the transformational power of both a Holy Cross education, and the Holy Cross alumni network. Interview originally recorded on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20, 2020. --- Transcript Ron Lawson: Holy Cross instills in you that notion of perseverance and what I realized when I graduated here... that I already had the suit...