Alumna of the Year

Marty Voelkel-Hanssen '75
Maryvale's Alumna of the Year 2025

Marty Voelkel-Hanssen came to Maryvale as a ninth grader when the school was just 26 years old. A natural leader, Marty was engaged in student government and was a 3-sport varsity athlete excelling in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse.

After graduating from Maryvale in 1975, Marty studied Political Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, and her interest in becoming an attorney led her to American University in Washington, D.C., where she received her J.D. in 1984.

Marty’s early professional career entailed working for the Legal Aid Bureau in Louisville, Kentucky, and Washington, D.C., where she assisted inmates and children with parole hearings and legal representation. She later joined the Law Office of Peter G. Angelos, where she worked on personal injury lawsuits and conducted settlements involving asbestosis-related claims.

Marty went on to open her own private general law and mediation practice in 1992. She used her skills and many experiences to represent all types of matters from family law to disabled adult guardianship issues to preparing wills and estates. The practice included mediation of workmen’s comp cases, neighborhood disputes, conflict resolution, and cases in Juvenile Court.

Marty has also had an enormous impact on the Baltimore community, having served as a trustee and later president of the Knott Foundation, which provides financial assistance and scholarships to students in catholic schools. A member of the Baltimore County Bar Association, Marty received the Pro Bono Award in 2018 from the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Marty has also served on the boards of trustees for REVAL Foundation, providing help to non-profits that focus on substance and alcohol abuse, Archbishop Curley High School, and our beloved Maryvale, where she co-chaired the Because of Maryvale Campaign.

In her remarks to the seniors last Friday, Marty acknowledged the enormous impact that former Athletic Director, coach, teacher, and friend, Ann McCloskey had on molding her into who she is today. She shared Rory McIlroy’s quote after The Masters and encouraged students to “Never give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, working hard, and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.” Marty has indeed given so generously of her time, talent, and treasure to our school. She is a great advocate and a wonderful friend to all of us.

We are proud to announce Beth Hart '81, as Maryvale's Alumna of the Year for 2024!

Beth came to Maryvale as an eighth grader. An active student on campus, Beth was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and enjoyed coaching field hockey and lacrosse. Maryvale holds a special place in Beth’s heart as she credits Maryvale with providing the foundation to succeed by emphasizing the individual.

After receiving her Maryvale diploma in 1981, Beth attended the University of Richmond and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1985. Following college, Beth worked briefly in her family’s business before starting graduate school. She received a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore in 1999. The genesis of Beth’s interest in criminal justice was fostered by stories told by her mother and aunts, all of whom worked for the FBI in the 1950s.

In 1999, Beth joined the Mayor’s Office on Criminal Justice under Mayor Kurt Schmoke. She went on to work as a crime analyst, or as she says, “desk detective.”  In the police department, Beth implemented Baltimore City’s most successful public surveillance program, CitiWatch, resulting in a double-digit reduction in violent crime and over 2,000 arrests, earning her recognition for the “Most Innovative Security Project”.

 For eight years, Beth was the Special Projects Director with the Annapolis Police Department. She coordinated work in Public Safety, Grant Management, IT, and Crime Analysis. In 2018, Beth returned to the Baltimore Police Department as a project manager in the Information Technology Division and soon became the Director handling the day-to-day IT operations in the eighth largest agency in the country. She is recognized as a leader and innovator for public safety and was awarded the Governor’s Crime Prevention Award. 

Described by her friends as “the glue that keeps the class of ‘81 together”, Beth has always been a nucleus organizing everything from Gym Meet practice to getting the gang a table at Maryvale’s annual Bull Roast. One Maryvale sister says, “Beth exemplifies leadership and commitment. I believe her extraordinary service will leave significant and lasting contributions towards Maryvale. Her inspiration to further Maryvale and the young ladies that currently attend is evident in her everyday life. Working for the Baltimore City Police Department shows Beth has all it takes to succeed in life and proves that a solid education is the base of success.”

We are proud of this special graduate for her stellar career and community involvement. However, we celebrate our honoree for the contributions she has made to the Maryvale community. Humble and supportive, Beth has generously, and loyally given her time, talents, and treasure to Maryvale. Congratulations!

We are proud to announce that Mercedes Greene '90 has been named Maryvale's Alumna of the Year for 2023. Mercedes is in the middle of the picture above with Erika Morant '03, the Alumnae Association President, to her left and Molly O'Conor Bell '96, Maryvale's Director of Alumnae Engagement and Giving, to her right. 

Mercedes came to Maryvale as a ninth grader after graduating from St. Augustine’s School in Elkridge, MD. Her father was a career Army officer, who was assigned and worked for the Judge Advocate General at Fort Meade. Mercedes and her family lived all over the world until her father retired from the Army in 1989. The family then decided to stay and settle in Maryland while Mercedes attended Maryvale.

Mercedes jumped into Maryvale school life as a member of the Maryvale winter soccer team. Other activities included volunteering for the Special Olympics Program. In the summer, Mercedes taught swimming to children and adults while lifeguarding at pools at Fort Meade.

After graduating from Maryvale in 1990, Mercedes attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a BS degree in Architecture with Interior Design in 1995. Mercedes’s career began with an internship at the US Army Corps of Engineers in Baltimore. She was then hired to work at the Engineering Design Branch. Since 1998, Mercedes has worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon. 

After graduating from college, Mercedes has stayed in touch and involved with Maryvale. She served as Vice President and then President of the Alumnae Association. She was a member of the Maryvale Board of Trustees from 2015-2021. She was an active President’s Advisory Council member and a Career Day panelist. Most notably, Mercedes was the first young alumna to pledge a legacy gift to Maryvale’s Trinity Society.

We are proud of this special graduate and excited to celebrate her for the many contributions she has made to the Maryvale community. Mercedes has indeed given so much of her time, talent, and treasure to our school. She is a great advocate and a wonderful friend!

We are proud to announce that Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme, Class of 1972, has been named Maryvale's Alumna of the Year for 2022.

Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme came to Maryvale as a ninth grader when the school was only 23 years old. A natural leader, Mary Ellen was involved in student government culminating in the position of Student Council President her senior year. 

After graduating from Maryvale in 1972, Mary Ellen studied History and English at Hollins University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. A highlight of her college experience was a stint as an intern on Capitol Hill in the office of Senator John Tunney of California. Although Mary Ellen was not interested in a political career for herself, she has worked on several campaigns as a volunteer.

After college, Mary Ellen jumped into her lifelong career as a banker. She started as a teller at the Mercantile Bank in 1976 and progressed to the level of vice-president. Interestingly, the bulk of Mary Ellen’s experience involved “startup” banking institutions. She was a vice president at Bank of Maryland, senior vice president at Bay National, followed by vice president of Blue Ridge Bank before retiring in 2014.

Mary Ellen has had an enormous impact on the Baltimore community, previously serving on the boards of the GBMC Foundation, Gallagher Services, Mission Helpers of Central Maryland and the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland. Significantly, she was on the ground floor of the establishment of the One Love Foundation where she was co-chair of the Mid-Atlantic One Love Region.

In 2012 Mary Ellen became a member of the Maryvale Board of Trustees. She served as board chair for three years, most critically during the challenging years of running a school throughout a global pandemic.

Mary Ellen has indeed given so generously of her time, talent and treasure to Maryvale. She is a great advocate and a wonderful friend. Congratulations to Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme '72, Maryvale's Alumna of the Year for 2022!

We are proud to announce that Sherry Pudloski '85 has been named Maryvale's Alumna of the Year for 2021. Congratulations to Sherry on this well-deserved honor! The Alumnae Association, along with the entire school community, is so grateful for Sherry's years of tireless service to Maryvale!

An accomplished senior corporate executive, Sherry is an expert in strategic communications, and currently serves as Principal Consultant at SNP Communications, LLC. Known for her expertise in crisis communications, branding, healthcare policy and corporate social responsibility, Sherry has held communications leadership positions for both national and global companies. As a strategic communications expert, Sherry was a guiding light for Maryvale's marketing, communications, rebranding and strategic planning efforts. As a member of our Board of Trustees, a philanthropist and a loyal alum, Sherry has been a graduation speaker at Maryvale and has hosted regional alumnae gatherings in New York. She enthusiastically shares her gifts in every way and is a shining example of what it means to learn, lead and succeed. It is our honor to honor her! 

In 2020, Maryvale alumnae who serve as medical/healthcare professionals were named our 2020 Alumnae of the Year! We were humbled by the tireless efforts of the medical profession during this most extraordinary time. And we can think of no better way to express our gratitude and publicly recognize you for your brave service to the community. It is our honor to honor you!

• Alexandra Bauernschub Baila '06 - Registered Nurse
• Michelle Beach '86 - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
• Kirsten LoGrande Beeson '08 - OB/GYN Resident
• Maura Doyle Belden '97 - Assistant Director of Transplant Nursing
• Carole Ringgold Blakeley '72 - Nurse Manager
• Amanda Bochniak '13 - Pediatric ICU Nurse
• Melissa Brooks '05 - Physician Assistant
• Cecelia Brown '08 - Midwife/Nurse Practitioner
• Kate Browne '11 – OB/GYN Resident
• Meghan Burton '13 – Registered Nurse, NICU
• Elaina Cain '17 - Nurse
• Allison Carroll '14 - Registered Nurse
• Caitlin Daniels Ceryes ‘05 - RN, BSN, MPH
• Ashley Coleman '04 - Registered Nurse, Mental Health
• Caroline R. Connolly ’69 – Registered Nurse
• Colleen Cook '14 - Registered Nurse
• Kalee Corraine '19 - Volunteer Emergency Medical Technician
• Jenalee Coster '04 - Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
• Laura Rosenthal Cox '07 - Family Nurse Practitioner
• Kokab Darbandi '98 - Internist & Pediatrician
• Veronica Deza '87 – Physician, Geriatric & Community Medicine
• Angela DeVincentis DiBlasi '73 - Emergency Room
• Sarah Dunbar '07 - Physical Therapist
• Claire Eberhardt '07 - Clinical Social Worker
• Hannah Entwistle '07 - Senior Clinical Nurse II
• Lauren Federline '11 - Nurse
• Lauren Fischer '08 - Registered Nurse
• Rosanne G. Frost ’70 - Pathologist
• Ashley Gast '11 - Physical Therapist
• Brooke Gast '14 - Nurse Clinician II, ICU
• Heather Roberts Gerken '04 - Physician Assistant, Emergency Room
• Melissa Cascio Grzybowski '10 - Registered Nurse
• Meghan Haley Halvorsen '05 - Medical Technologist
• Robin Heese '07 - Registered Nurse
• Amber Franklin Heinlein '14 - Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Sherrie Hoffman '72 - Technical Specialist
• Corinne Howe '11 - Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Kennedy Hunke '15 - NICU Nurse
• Kristen King '11 - RN
• Jessica King '14 - RN
• Cerise Kleb '10 - Internal Medicine Resident
• Nikole Koszarycz '13 - Pediatric ICU Nurse
• Carin Kottraba '94 - Vice President of Behavioral Health
• Mary Anne Hunt Kowzan '73 - Registered Nurse
• Samantha Kozloski '13 - Nurse
• Emily Bauer Lee '03 - Administrator, Imaging Services
• Rachel Leyko '01 - Director of Insurance Operations
• Christina Fusting Lippenholz '96 - Medical ICU Nurse
• Kathleen Tewey Mahoney '08 - Nurse Practitioner
• Megan Roberts Mangione '09 - ICU Nurse Clinician
• Annie McCoach '12 - Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician
• Katherine Masaschi Melito '88 - Neonatal ICU Nurse
• Jessica Miciche '08 - Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse
• Mary Hurdle Mitcherling '90 - Infection Control Nurse, OR
• Beth Moag '73 - Nurse
• Elizabeth Moriconi '11 - Registered Nurse
• Samantha Moriconi '14 - Nurse
• Lauren Ellison Nawrocki '02 - Cardiothoracic Transplant Surgery Nurse Practitioner
• Elyse Nickell '01 - ICU Nurse
• Julia Noel '15 - Registered Nurse
• Victoria Notarangelo '08 - Social Worker
• Rachel Otto '08 - Nurse Practitioner
• Yvonne Roberts '83 - Medical Technologist, Microbiology
• Jan Dippel Rowley '68 - Registered Nurse, Neonatal ICU
• Angela Rzepecki '94 - Case Management Nurse
• Jenny Mayer Saccenti '87 - Hospice Social Worker
• Emma Sexton '08 - Nurse
• Margaret Sexton '05 - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner for Adult/Geriatrics
• Annu Sharma '01 - Physiatrist
• Gallie Shugarman '10 – Registered Nurse
• Jessica Simermeyer '09 - Occupational Therapist
• Madeline Sample Sliwka '09 - Registered Nurse IV
• Anne Marie Welzant Smouse '85 - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Kathleen Quick Spada '06 - Registered Nurse
• Sophia Thomas '09 - Nurse
• Amy Gelazela Valle '89 - Physician Assistant
• Paige Ibello Venker '06 - Registered Nurse
• Caroline Vikell '14 - Registered Nurse
• Nancy Ringgold Walker ’73 - Registered Nurse and Professor of Nursing
• Carol Anne Wey Weber '73 - Clinical Supervisor for Triage Team
• Elizabeth Johnson Weicht '84 - Physician
• Carey Baxter Weisberg '04 - Optical Engineer
• Lyndsey Williams '06 - OB/GYN Social Worker
• Emily Wood '11 - Pharmacist
• Kaylin Ziemba '12 - Infusion Registered Nurse Case Manager
• Becky Harris Zimmerman ’05 - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Nicole Zito '11 - Registered Nurse
• Jennifer Kujawa Zinderman '89 - Pediatrician
• Candace Zorn '01 - Dentist

Elizabeth Macsherry Moag came to Maryvale as a ninth grader. She jumped right into student life by becoming involved in many activities. Liz’s Maryvale co-curriculars included stints on the Student Council, Yearbook and Grey Towers staff, Glee Club, Athletic Association (Red Captain) and Varsity Cheerleading. Yes, Maryvale had a cheerleading squad for our teams well into the ‘80s!

After receiving her Maryvale diploma in 1979, Liz attended McDaniel College where she graduated in 1983 with a degree in Social Work. She went straight to work at Aetna Insurance until 1987. Liz and her husband, former board chair Tony Moag, raised their four children in Connecticut, Vermont and Cleveland, Ohio. In 2008, the Moags returned to Baltimore, close to both of their extended families, and enrolled their two youngest daughters, Paige and Hannah, at Maryvale.

Liz and her family share a unique Maryvale heritage. The Macsherrys hold the distinction as the first family to graduate three generations of women from Maryvale. The tradition started with Liz’s mother, Francie Shehan Macsherry, Class of 1951. Francie’s two daughters, Patty Macsherry Pontier 1975 and Liz 1979, came next, followed by Paige 2012 and Hannah Moag 2013 as well as Aimee Pontier 2011. Liz also has three sisters-in-law who are Maryvale graduates.

Just as in high school, Liz jumped right into life at Maryvale when her family returned to Baltimore 11 years ago. After her girls graduated, she doubled-down on her time and commitment - re-engaging with the school as a key member of the Maryvale Alumnae Association Board.

Her calm and thoughtful demeanor, keen insight and perspective as a trusted alumna made Liz an ideal choice for the Maryvale Board of Trustees. In her current role as a Trustee, Liz served on the Campaign Steering Committee and continues to serve on the Facilities Committee.

In the broader community, Liz has worked as a family advocate and member of the Board of Trustees for the Arc Baltimore, where she will be named Emeritus Trustee next week. The ARC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advocacy and life-changing support for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In her role, Liz strives to increase rights and services by securing extended funding for needed programs, promoting laws and regulations centered on equal rights, opportunity and treatment, and preserving integrated education programs.

We are proud of this special graduate, of her community and volunteer activities. But today, our honoree is celebrated for the many contributions she has made to the Maryvale family. Kind, humble and supportive, Liz has indeed given generously of her time, talent and treasure to our school. She is a great advocate and a wonderful friend to all of us.

~ Presented during the Class of 2019 Alumnae Association Induction Ceremony on Friday, May 3, 2019 by Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme '72, Chair of Maryvale's Board of Trustees

• 1991 Catherine Vitrano Kellermann ’73 and Kathalee Malon O’Conor ’68
• 1992 Jane Bracken Mace ’65
• 1993 Patricia J. Mitchell ’65
• 1994 Tracy Bagli Hooper ’73
• 1995 Marion Connolly ’68 and Patricia M. C. Brown ’78
• 2000 Maureen Keelty Suelau ’72 and Julia McNeal Smith ’78
• 2001 Bronwyn Byron ’73
• 2002 Marci Prosser Reihart ’73
• 2003 Cindy Davis ’82
• 2004 Hon. Patricia Shimanek Pytash ’58
• 2005 Jean Bell Hessenauer ’66
• 2006 Mary Ellen Rector Fise ’74
• 2007 Mary Lochboehler Kilbourne ’57
• 2008 Kim Goldsmith McCain ’71
• 2009 Dolly Wells Mersinger ’67
• 2010 Elizabeth Lerch Visconage ’74
• 2011 Mary Teresa Smith Cook ’69
• 2012 Mary Catherine Bunting ’55
• 2013 Karen Geckle Moritz ’81
• 2014 Erin Stewart Howland ’89
• 2015 Heather Klink ’84
• 2016 Abigail Adams Brigstocke ’86
• 2017 Catherine Cochran Peddy ’62
• 2018 †Sr. Catherine Phelps, SNDdeN '49
• 2019 Elizabeth Macsherry Moag '79
• 2020 Active, frontline medical professionals
• 2021 Sherry Pudloski ’85
• 2022 Mary Ellen Gallagher Barthelme '72
• 2023 Mercedes Greene '90
• 2024 Beth Hart '81
• 2025 Marty Voelkel-Hanssen '75