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MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship
The MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship is a transformational experience for women who are passionate about advancing Mercy and Justice. This international leadership program is fully funded, and unique in the ways it provides opportunities for Fellows to establish strong links and networking across the Mercy World through international encounters, webinars and modules, mentorship and other activities. The Fellowship program has been designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking, promote collaborative leadership and inspire personal reflection leading to a compassionate and communal response to current concerns of our world.
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What is the MIA-MGA Fellowship (MELF)?
Journey with members of MELF through Lent!
Mercy International Association invites you to our 2024 Lenten series. Each week, from Ash Wednesday February 14 to March 27, 2024, we will be publishing a reflection by members of Mercy Global Action’s Emerging Leaders Fellowship (MELF). Our theme this year is 'Opening our Hearts'. We hope you will find light and inspiration in these reflections and that they enhance and support your Lenten prayer and discernment.
Key Documents
Background to the Fellowship
Program Components
Program Objectives
What Program Graduates are Saying
MELF Impact Report
Meet the 2025-2026 Fellows
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Angela Howard-McParland (United States)
Angela Howard-McParland lives in the United States and works for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as a member of the Mercy Justice Team. She organizes and empowers sisters, associates, and allies to advocate on behalf of the Critical Concerns, often with a focus on gun violence prevention.
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Floravel Ambas (Philippines)
Floravel Ambas, Bavelle as she is fondly called, lives in the Philippines. She is currently the Child Care Specialist of the Misericordia Children Center, Inc., a Community Extension Service of the Holy Infant College managed by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Tacloban- Philippines. She is a mental health and child rights advocate.
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Josie Ruawhare (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Josie Ruawhare, of Māori & Cook-Island descent, is part of the indigenous people from Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is the Programme Coordinator for Te Waipuna Puawai (Whānau Mercy Ministries), supporting diverse communities through learning opportunities for empowerment.
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Mary Kanyi, rsm (Kenya)
Sister Mary Kanyi, rsm is from Kenya. She currently serves as the Education Secretary for the Mercy Sisters in Kenya. As a secondary school teacher by profession, she is passionate about education and leadership development.
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Angela Howard-McParland (United States)
Angela Howard-McParland lives in the United States and works for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as a member of the Mercy Justice Team. As part of the Justice Team, she organizes and empowers sisters, associates, and allies to advocate on behalf of the Critical Concerns, often with a focus on gun violence prevention.
Prior to her work with Mercy, Angela was a college chaplain and campus minister for over a decade. She is a co-founder of Nuns Against Gun Violence, a coalition of women religious, associates, and allies and especially values opportunities for direct action on issues of justice. Through this fellowship, she hopes to continue to learn from the expertise of other Mercy women around the globe and open new channels and opportunities to dismantle patriarchal systems of oppression by lifting the prophetic voice of women working for justice.
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Floravel Ambas (Philippines)
Floravel K. Ambas, Bavelle as she is fondly called is a Filipina, is 50 years old and living in Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences Major in Psychology and a licensed Professional Teacher. She is currently the Child Care Specialist of the Misericordia Children Center, Inc., a Community Extension Service of the Holy Infant College managed by the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Tacloban- Philippines. MCCI is supporting and serving the children in street situations in Tacloban City.
She is a mental health and child rights advocate. She is actively involved in various advocacies for children and youth since 2000. Her volunteer work as a teacher in the Southernmost part of the Philippines had opened her eyes to the realities in the community which led her to continue serving the children in her own community in Tacloban City up to this date.
Her interest in Justice and Mercy was intensified as she gets involved in the Mercy works of the RSM community since 2018. Through MELF she believes she can learn more strategies to be more efficient and effective leader as she continues to bloom in this advocacy where God has planted her.
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Josie Ruawhare (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Ko Maungakawa te maunga
(Maungakawa is my mountain)
Ko Waikato te awa
(Waikato is my river)
Ko Tainui te waka
(Tainui is my canoe)
Ko Ngāti Hauā te hapu
(Ngāti Hauā is my subtribe)
Ko kai-a-te-mata te marae
(Kai-a-te-mata is my meeting ground)
Ko Josie Ruawhare ahau
(My name is Josie Ruawhare)
Josie, of Māori and Cook-Island descent, is part of the indigenous people from Aotearoa, New Zealand. Her pepeha (introduction) above is an essential part of Māori culture as a way of acknowledging and honouring one’s connection to the land and their ancestors.
Josie is the Programme Coordinator for Te Waipuna Puawai (Whānau Mercy Ministries), supporting diverse communities through learning opportunities for empowerment. With a background in media and community service, she is passionate about education and indigenous social justice.
Through MELF, she hopes to share her culture and experiences with other fellows, empowering women globally. She looks forward to highlighting Te Waipuna Puawai’s core values: Manaakitanga (Hospitality), Aroha (Compassion), Te Tapu o te Tangata (Respect), Tika (Justice), and Mana Whakahaere (Mutual Enhancement), which are central to the Mercy Whānau in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
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Mary Kanyi, rsm (Kenya)
Sister Mary Kanyi, rsm is from Kenya. She currently serves as the Education Secretary for the Mercy Sisters in Kenya. As a secondary school teacher by profession, she is passionate about education and leadership development.
One of Mary’s proudest achievements is transforming a barren school environment into a green and thriving space, proving that change is possible with dedication and vision. She has also worked to unlock students' potential, helping them achieve better academic performance, and she takes great pride in mentoring junior staff, guiding them to grow both professionally and personally.
Mary’s interest in Mercy and justice is driven by a deep commitment to creating equal opportunities in education and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Leadership, for her, is about inspiring others and making a lasting impact, and she has had the privilege of doing so through her work in education.
Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Mary hopes to contribute her experience in mentorship, share insights on education and leadership, and collaborate with others to create meaningful change in our communities.
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Pamela McLoughlin (Ireland)
Pamela McLoughlin is a teacher at Mercy College Coolock, in Dublin, Ireland.
In her professional capacity, she is proud to work in an energetic environment with a deep commitment to Mercy values.
Inspired by Catherine McAuley, Mercy College believes that education is not just about knowledge—it’s about empowerment, kindness, and creating a world where everyone has the chance to be themselves. Pamela is eager to further this work with the MELF programme.
With a dynamic approach to teaching, Pamela loves making learning exciting and meaningful, helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of social responsibility. She takes pride in fostering a supportive, uplifting environment where young people feel encouraged to dream big and make a difference.
Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Pamela is excited to connect with like-minded change makers, share experiences, and inspire the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the spirit of justice and compassion.
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Aura Matalines, rsm (Philippines)
Sr. Aura Rudelsol A. Matalines, rsm, is a Sister of Mercy for 19 years, currently serving at Mercy Community Hospital, Inc. in Iligan City, Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and began her career as a guidance counselor and teacher. After entering the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 2005, she served as an in-house counselor for sexually abused children, accompanying them in court and providing support—a role she considers a significant achievement. Later, she studied Pharmacy to address the hospital's needs and now works as a hospital pharmacist and hospital administrator on training.
Coming from a middle-class family, she witnessed and experienced injustices early on. Inspired by her parents, both principled public servants, she learned the values of integrity, compassion, and service. These principles have guided her in leadership roles, where she brings openness, dedication, and her unique gifts. Though her leadership experience may not be extensive, she believes in contributing meaningfully to any group by fostering accountability, justice, and care for the underprivileged. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to service and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
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Saska Sertimer (Guyana)
Saska Sertimer, a highly skilled Family Physician, was born and raised in the beautiful country called Guyana –the only English-speaking nation in South America. Currently, she manages a Primary Health Care Centre under the main referral hospital in her country. As the first contact for patients at the community level, the well-being of my patients and ensuring that they receive the best possible care are her priority areas.
As a Mercy Associate, Saska serves on the Board of Directors in numerous Committees thus ensuring that the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital delivers excellent care. At her Parish level; cleaning, fund-raising activities, mentorship of youths and general upkeep of the parish are some of Saska’s roles. In addition, advocacy for treatment of individuals with life-threatening bleeding disorders is at the centre of her involvement with the Guyana Hemophilia Society. Saska was quite pleased to organise the first ever Breast Cancer awareness Walk in her community in October 2024, which was well supported by the villagers.
One justice issue Saska is passionate about is healthcare disparities in her country, particularly the unequal access to healthcare services among underserved populations. It is her hope that everyone will receive the same care and treatment they deserve.
Saska is ready and willing to create a greater positive impact on the world. She strongly believes that every voice must be heard. “Not all of us can do great things but we can do small things with great love”. (Mother Teresa).
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Kilisitina Vaeatangitau, rsm (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Tina Vaeatangitau, rsm was born and raised in Tonga and, in 1983, moved to Aotearoa, New Zealand, to join the Sisters of Mercy in Christchurch. She has lived in New Zealand ever since, with the exception of a year in Chicago for studies.
Currently, she is discerning a ministry after spending the last nine years involved in the Congregation’s Novitiate Formation and, more recently, as a member of the Leadership Team. Prior to that, Tina taught in various primary schools across different regions of New Zealand for over twenty years. So, relief teaching and offering retreats to students are options she will pursue outside the MELF programme, since she has completed the Ignatius Spiritual Direction course while on the Leadership Team.
Tina immensely enjoyed her time at school, learning from teachers and students alike and benefitting greatly from the highly professional working environment.
Participating in the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship will allow Tina to extend the horizons of the young pupils she teaches and also address environmental and social issues in her beloved Tonga. She is excited to connect with other Mercy leaders worldwide and join a united network that advocates for justice and mercy in their communities and beyond. This fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for us to broaden our local perspectives and learn from one another.
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Siobhán Kenny (Ireland)
Siobhán Kenny lives in Cork, Ireland. She is currently the Mission and Values Lead for Mercy University Hospital in Cork City which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1857. Initially working within a corporate administrative role in Mercy University Hospital, Siobhán was appointed Mission and Values Lead in 2018 and is responsible for developing and managing programmes, projects and initiatives that give expression to the culture, mission and values of Mercy University Hospital.
Siobhán provides a visible and effective mission presence, working with the hospital Boards and Staff to develop the organisational culture of the Hospital through activities which enable cultural diversity, care of our common home, social inclusion etc. while integrating the Mercy mission through teaching, promoting, and monitoring the Core Values of the hospital, in such a way that they become a hallmark of performance.
By participating in the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowships, Siobhán aims to channel her passion for Catherine’s vision by gaining skills and knowledge to nurture and enable a community of Mercy and justice that will empower and inspire the next generation. Siobhán is especially looking forward to connecting with and learning from like-minded Mercy women across the world.
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Tatiana Diaz (United States)
Tatiana Diaz was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the United States to pursue her higher education. She graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Minor in Women’s Studies, and a Master’s in Community Psychology and Social Change.
With over 15 years of experience working in higher education, Tatiana has been dedicated to establishing diversity-related programs, advocating for diverse students, and creating opportunities for community growth and identity development. She currently serves as the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Gwynedd Mercy University.
Tatiana looks forward to this fellowship as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of leadership within the context of justice and Mercy values. To find new ways to live the words of Catherine McAuley “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can… as long as you ever can” She also hopes to contribute her personal and professional experiences to the cohort and create an insightful project.
Meet the 2024-2025 Fellows
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Charlotte Cummings (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Charlotte Cummings hails from Aotearoa New Zealand. She has had a varied professional background working across mental health, abuse, and harm investigations, and in consultancy roles for philanthropic trusts.
Read More)
Luciah Njogu (Kenya)
Luciah lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently working as an Education Coordinator at Mukuru Promotion Centre. She is a teacher by profession and has taught for over 15 years.
Read More)
Jessica Marshall (Australia)
Jess lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently the Assistant Principal of Religious Education at All Saints Parish School, a Catholic primary school, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1989.
Read More)
Fozia Gulab (Pakistan)
Dr. Fozia Gulab serves at Notre Dame Institute of Education (NDIE) - Karachi as the Deputy Director. She is dedicated to professional ethics, standards of practice and care and education of the prospective teachers.
Read More)
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Charlotte Cummings (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Charlotte Cummings hails from Aotearoa New Zealand. She has had a varied professional background working across mental health, abuse, and harm investigations, and in consultancy roles for philanthropic trusts.
Charlotte has a strong drive to contribute to making the world a more just and merciful place to be, especially mindful of the experiences for future generations. She is interested in how we hold together the value of tangata (people) and whenua (land).
She has been privileged over recent years to contribute to shaping the way faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand respond to people who have experienced abuse.
She looks forward to engaging with a group of women who share similar passions, and to cheer on the others in the fellowship program.
Charlotte is eager to see how the experiences and knowledge from the fellowship program will influence her future contributions to the Mercy world.
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Luciah Njogu (Kenya)
Luciah lives in Nairobi Kenya. She is currently working as an Education Coordinator at Mukuru Promotion Centre (a Charitable Organization Under the Sisters of Mercy). She is a teacher by profession and has taught for over 15 years. Nurturing young minds and seeing them develop into responsible adults is her greatest achievement, as she believes that education is the greatest engine of personal development.
Her interest in Mercy and Justice comes from her work of advocating for quality education to the vulnerable child in Mukuru slums, when denied a chance to be in school. It gives her joy in seeing all children attending school as required by law.
In her line of duty, Luciah sits in one of the schools Board of Management team as a sponsor representative. She is also part of a steering committee formed by her area locals in fighting illegal dumping of harmful waste, opposite her work station.
She hopes to develop more lobbying and advocacy skills in ensuring that children get justice in education as well as justice and Mercy for all.
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Jessica Marshall (Australia)
Jess lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently the Assistant Principal of Religious Education at All Saints Parish School, a Catholic primary school, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1989. Jess has worked in several Catholic primary schools and holds a Master of Educational Leadership and Guidance and Counselling. She is passionate about shaping faith-filled students who will contribute positively to our world, particularly mentoring student leaders in social justice initiatives.
Jess’ commitment to Mercy stems from her experiences volunteering and working with those who face various forms of disadvantage. She has a genuine interest and experience in supporting those most vulnerable in our society and ensuring their dignity is upheld.
By participating in the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Jess aims to deepen her Mercy Spirituality and looks forward to being inspired by like-minded Mercy women in the program. She hopes to gain skills to cultivate a community of mercy and justice and empower the next generation who will, in turn, become our voices of advocacy and catalysts for positive change in the future.
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Fozia Gulab (Pakistan)
Dr. Fozia Gulab serves at Notre Dame Institute of Education (NDIE) - Karachi as the Deputy Director. Dr. Gulab has obtained PhD in Education with specific focus on “Ethics of Care”. She is a highly motivated, enthusiastic, dedicated, goal-oriented educator who is committed to the personal and professional growth of every prospective teacher enrolled at NDIE. She is dedicated to professional ethics, standards of practice and care and education of the prospective teachers. Dr. Gulab is a self-directed, action-oriented professional with over eighteen years of teaching experience as a teacher educator. She was one of the team members to work with Pre-Step to design and develop the curriculum for teacher education in Pakistan, developed training modules for primary and secondary school teachers in the province of Sindh and continues to offer continuous professional development sessions for teachers and administrators. She is one of the founding members of Mercy Education where students from unprivileged families are helped with their studies. Dr. Gulab continues motivating her husband, son and daughter in the cause of reaching out to people in need by getting them actively involved in various activities. She is passionate about justice, peace, harmony, honesty and equity in society.
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Sarah Terry (South Africa)
Sarah Terry, from South Africa, is a Dramatic Arts and Mathematics teacher at St Teresa’s, an all-girls’ Sisters of Mercy school in Johannesburg, where she has been on the staff for twelve years. During this time, she has developed the Mercy Ambassadors’ Programme, designed to benefit deserving pupils of the school, and which aims to build on the five core values of St Teresa’s: collaboration, excellence, compassion, spiritual growth and global responsibility. This programme is run in conjunction with other Mercy organisations around the world and has connected her St Teresa’s students with Mercy communities in the USA, Australia and Ireland.
Sarah is especially proud of having been a member of the Women in Leadership Justice Task Force in November 2023. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Sarah hopes to develop the skills necessary to play an active role in advocacy for young women in leadership and to provide the opportunity to have their voices heard in the contexts of justice and mercy, both in the extremely complex South African context and globally. She believes her passion for education, and her deep commitment to the young women in her care, are the keys to unlocking these goals.
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McKenna Smith (United States)
McKenna Smith lives in the United States of America. She is currently in her final semester as the Graduate Assistant for the Mercy Center at St. Joseph’s College of Maine and is finishing her master's in theology. She has a background that encompasses young adult ministry and the criminal justice system.
Through these experiences, McKenna has developed a strong passion for the rights and dignity of incarcerated people and their families. In addition to being selected for the MELF program, one of McKenna’s proudest moments was working as a Vincentian Volunteer in Manchester, England, where she served in a care home for men with dementia caused by addiction.
McKenna’s passion for Mercy and Justice comes from watching her parents, both of whom were Public Defenders, fight the inequalities in the criminal justice system.
Through being a part of MELF, McKenna hopes to learn from other women and to become a better advocate for people incarcerated around the world who have forgotten their worth.
McKenna is excited to expand upon how mercy and justice are intertwined and to shine a light on it so that other people may begin to do the same.
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Teresa Vaughan (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Teresa Vaughan lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She currently works for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. She has a background in the public service and before that spent many years in a chemistry lab. As well as attending Mercy schools, Teresa has had contact with Sisters of Mercy for most of her life. She comes from a family of Mercy women, who are passionate about women’s education, social justice issues and caring for the environment. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Teresa hopes to broaden her understanding of the work that is currently being undertaken in this area and develop the necessary skills to contribute more effectively to this work. She is also looking forward to making connections with the other women in the programme.
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Jewellyn Enemecio (Philippines)
I am Jewellyn M. Enemecio. In the community, they call me “Ate Jao”. I came from the Queen City of the South, Cebu City, Philippines. I am currently working as an Administrative Aide in the Local Government of Cebu. I was trained as an experiential advocate in the year 2010 and started my first job in the United Nations Program for Children as an outreach worker. After the project, I continued working at the Good Shepherd Welcome House, and in the year 2014, I was employed at the government unit. Still, I continued my volunteer work with the Welcome House and Friends of the Poor and Marginalized (FPM) of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). I was trained as one of the advocates of Non-Violent Communication. With my experience and learnings, I am now the president of the group of women survivors called USWAG or United Services for Women Advocates of the Good Shepherd Association which is fully supported by the Mercy Works Sisters. I joined the Mercy Emerging Leaders Fellowship because I want to help in listening, finding ways to answer the calls, developing strength, and giving courage to the people who are the less, the least, and the last, who are still longing for mercy and justice. I want to continue the legacy that those people who have helped me would like as they want me to be.
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Mai Nguyen Doan (Australia)
Mai Nguyen rsm was born in Vietnam and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is a member of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. She is currently working as a Social Worker at Mercy Health, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy.
Mai has a background in Psychology, Social Work and recently completed a Master of Theological Studies. She loves her ministry as a Social Worker, has great interest in theology and is passionate about the displacement of people and its impacts. She feels accomplished when she can make a positive difference for her patients and other people. Her deep passion for the work of Mercy is inspired by the Mercy Sisters who carried out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in a Refugee Camp. Mai witnessed and also experienced their compassion and mercy.
Mai is grateful for this opportunity to undertake the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship. She hopes to enhance her understanding of human rights and advocacy skills to advance Mercy and Justice, to learn more about positive leadership, and to share with and be inspired by the women she will meet; and to work collaboratively with other women locally and internationally to empower other women to pursue their dreams.
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Elizabeth Blom (Australia)
Libby Blom lives in Brisbane, Australia and works at Mercy Partners, a Public Juridic Person (PJP) founded by the Queensland Sisters of Mercy. She is committed to ensuring that their ministries stay true to their charism and continue to carry out God's mission in the future. In her role as the Formation Manager, Libby takes this responsibility to heart. Drawing on her vast experience in the non-profit industry, Libby manages all things Formation at Mercy Partners, this includes delivering presentations, leading discussions, project development, facilitating events, and creating resources.
Libby's educational background encompasses public relations, communications, journalism, and graphic design. Currently, she is pursuing a Masters of Theology. Her achievements include building lasting relationships, fostering community, and welcoming migrants and refugees to Queensland. Libby considers being a mother to five children her most significant accomplishment. Libby views and attempts to live Mercy as a verb, embodying the qualities of generosity, forgiveness, guidance, protection, and giving to others.
Libby's excited to join forces with fellow change-makers and mentors through the Mercy Global Actions Emerging Leaders Fellowship to champion inclusive, sustainable and harmonious societies guided by mercy values.
Can I Apply to be a Mercy Emerging Leader Fellow?
Meet the Graduated Fellows
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Carmen Rosa Ccallomamani rsm (Peru)
Carmen Rosa is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and was born in a farming community in Puno, Peru, where she acquired her first language Aymara.
Read More)
Theresia Tina rsm (Papua New Guinea)
Theresia is from Mt Hagen in Papua New Guinea and is a Sister of Mercy from the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG).
Read More)
Jemima Welsh (Australia)
Jemima lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently working in the fields of impact investing, social enterprise development and philanthropy, with a focus on growing the for-purpose business sector within QLD.
Read More)
Tylia Barnes (United States)
Tylia lives in the United States of America. She currently leads more than 700 associates for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central Community, as director of Association.
Read More)
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Carmen Rosa Ccallomamani rsm (Peru)
Carmen Rosa is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and was born in a farming community in Puno, Peru, where she acquired her first language Aymara. Although fluent in her native language, she felt a great disadvantage when starting school as Spanish was the only language spoken. From this painful experience, her vocation as an educator was born. Carmen firmly believes that education, both formal and informal, is the key to system change. She is currently General Coordinator for the ‘Project of Vulnerable children’. Carmen is also an active member of “Red Kawsay”, a national and international network of various religious communities engaged in human trafficking prevention and care of survivors. Carmen is also a member of a border team who accompany and orient migrants at the Peru-Bolivia border town of Desaguadero. She provides space for listening and counseling to many young adults and adolescents and is a facilitator of the program ‘Alternatives to Violence’. Carmen’s greatest passion is to promote the dignity of the person, especially of women and children. Download her research presentation here.
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Theresia Tina rsm (Papua New Guinea)
Theresia is from Mt Hagen in Papua New Guinea and is a Sister of Mercy from the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). She began her career as a primary educator and through teaching in some remote parts of Papua New Guinea, she discovered more about the injustice of society at all levels. Theresia is committed to community development through faith based organisations that promote human rights, social justice, self-reliance, and capacity building. She has promoted these values in a variety of community and leadership roles within the Sisters of Mercy. Firstly, in her leadership role within the Sisters of Mercy of the Autonomous Region of Papua New Guinea and then within the newly formed Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Theresia is passionate about social justice issues that affect both the poor and our environment. She is disturbed when seeing women, girls and children suffering from lack of basic needs, including food, water and shelter. She questions corrupt systems at every level that affect human dignity. Theresia hopes that the Fellowship will enable women to collectively develop strategies and ideas to work on issues both in local places and at the global level. Download her research presentation here.
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Jemima Welsh (Australia)
Jemima lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently working in the fields of impact investing, social enterprise development and philanthropy, with a focus on growing the for-purpose business sector within QLD. She has a background in international relations and studied a Masters of Philosophy and Public Policy in London. She is passionate about creating pathways out of disadvantage and inequity that are rooted in individual and community agency. Jemima is proud of the role she has been able to play in supporting organisations who address this disadvantage. Jemima’s interest in Mercy stems from her time at All Hallows’ School in Brisbane, where she saw how the principles could transcend political differences and be a guiding force for women’s holistic development. She is particularly interested in how the Mercy spirit can be interwoven with current economic development movements around the world to empower women and their families. She is looking forward to undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, where she hopes to ‘regather’ a deeper spiritual engagement and connect with a group of like-minded Mercy women to explore how collaborative action can advance social justice. Download her research project here.
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Tylia Barnes (United States)
Tylia lives in the United States of America. She currently leads more than 700 associates for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central Community, as director of Association. She is also a Mercy Associate living out a lifetime commitment of prayer, community and service where she stands in solidarity with marginalized peoples. One of Tylia’s greatest achievements was having an article published in America Magazine entitled “Among Mercies: My grandmother, Catherine McAuley and me.” She is well versed in issues of anti-racism and diversity and is a member of the Anti-Racism Transformation Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. As an experienced facilitator, she leads workshops that focus on institutional racism and privilege. On her Mercy journey she uses every opportunity to challenge colleagues, friends and acquaintances to always stand with and for those whom we are called to serve through advocacy and social justice initiatives. Tylia hopes that the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship will further promulgate a culture rooted in faith that empowers leaders to respond to the needs of our suffering world through a lens of Mercy and justice. Download her research project here.
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Amy Keller (United States)
Amy lives in the United States of America. She works with a nonprofit organization called ‘Girls Incorporated of Omaha’ which strives to ensure all girls recognize their inherent dignity and value. Her background is also heavily invested in theatre, where she has worked with youth to write plays about their community concerns. One of Amy’s achievements includes the time she spent in Detroit with the Mercy Volunteer Corps. During her years in Detroit, she developed lasting relationships with Mercy Volunteers, Sisters, Associates, and Companions that deeply impacted her life and brought her to a greater heart of Mercy. She appreciates that every person she knows in Mercy, feels compelled to address injustices they see in the world and take action to change it. Amy is passionate about working to ensure that women feel empowered to speak up when facing issues of abuse and control. As part of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Amy hopes to gain more insights and ways to address the growing problems of human trafficking. She plans to contribute by sharing her experiences and resources with the other fellows, as well as to the greater Mercy community. Download her research project here.
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Siobhán Golden (Ireland)
Siobhán is from Westport, Ireland. She graduated with honors from the University of Limerick in 2018 with degrees in Psychology and Spanish. She currently lives in Barcelona where she works as a supervisor of a restaurant while also undertaking volunteer projects. Volunteer work has always been a huge part of her life and she was awarded a President's Volunteer Award by the University of Limerick for her commitment to volunteering. Siobhán has a desire to learn how to advocate for issues of global justice. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work in Argentina, where she was exposed to issues of social justice and human rights violations. She identifies with Mercy values and shares their vision of hope to eliminate poverty and tackle climate change. In undertaking Mercy Global Action's Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Siobhán hopes to develop a strong network with Mercy Global Action and expand her leadership skills so that someday she will advance in a long-term career in advocacy for Human Rights and Global Justice. Download her research project here.
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Anneke Kat (United States of America)
Anneke is an American and Dutch Citizen raised in Philadelphia, USA. She is a community development practitioner with academic and applied experience working with refugees, women, and youth on issues of education and economic empowerment in the United States and Sub Saharan Africa. She currently holds the position of Youth and Community Program Manager at Interfaith Philadelphia, working to bring grassroots interfaith learning and community collaboration to the diverse Philadelphia region. Her initial interest in mercy and justice was cultivated through her Jewish upbringing and opportunities to provide social services to, and document the stories of refugees resettling in Worcester, MA and Philadelphia, PA. She is most proud of co-creating an interfaith and inter-generational program for women focused on social justice, gender and spirituality which has nurtured over 200 program participants. This is where she engages with many Sisters of Mercy and has been profoundly impacted by their strength and commitment to justice and service. Through this fellowship, Anneke hopes to infuse her current community-rooted work with more global perspectives and widen her understanding of international policies affecting migrants and refugees. Download her research project here.
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Anastasia Freeman (Australia)
Anastasia is an artist, educator and writer living in Bathurst, NSW, Australia. She currently works at Rahamim Ecology Centre (A ministry of the Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea) as their online educator and is responsible for delivering workshops and online education. She produces the Thresholds podcast and manages online networks for sustainability, spiritual ecology and environmental education. Her background is in secondary creative arts education and she has worked throughout NSW and in Cambodia as a teacher. As well as being passionate about the transformative process of education and creative practices, Ana is a volunteer wildlife rescuer and carer and is currently the fundraising coordinator for WIRES in the Central West of NSW. She has great interest in ways individuals and organisations can heal landscapes and habitats through living/working simply and mindfully which has led her to study permaculture. She is now attempting to grow her own food and learn more about plants, ecosystems and gardening. Through the Fellowship, Ana hopes to collaborate with other Mercy women on social justice projects that take into consideration the effects of climate change and Earth as a living system that requires healing and protection. Download her research presentation here.
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Julia Morisi (United States)
Julia lives in the United States of America. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies and a certificate in Religion and Conflict Transformation at Boston University. Julia’s involvement with the Sisters of Mercy began at Salve Regina University, where she earned a B.A. in Religious and Theological Studies and English Literature. After graduating from Salve Regina, she spent a year teaching in Baltimore, Maryland through Mercy Volunteer Corps. A high point of this experience was implementing a social justice discussion series for adults at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Baltimore. During this series, Julia planned and facilitated weekly discussions on social justice topics ranging from local issues in Baltimore to national concerns. She invited speakers each week, and even led several of the talks herself, including a discussion on the importance of women’s leadership in the Catholic Church. Through the Fellowship, Julia hopes to learn more about the ways in which religion contributes to conflict and peacebuilding in major global issues, such as Mercy International Associations’ focus on the displacement of peoples. Download her research project here.
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Stellah Wamaitha Mathe (Kenya)
Stellah lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently working at Mukuru Promotion Centre, situated in an urban slum in Nairobi, Kenya as a Donor Relations Officer. She has a background in International Relations and a Bachelor in Diplomacy. Having grown up in a third world country, she developed an early interest in human relations. She endeavors to build on people’s strengths and hopes for them to live a complete and fulfilled life. One of Stellah's greatest achievements is her continued advocacy for sustainable development. Her interest in Mercy stems from her experience of working with poor slum communities at the heart of Nairobi city in Kenya. She has a great interest in ensuring that the poor homeless children of Nairobi have access to education where they can enrich their talents. She is passionate about achieving skills that stimulate creative and critical thinking, collaborative leadership and personal reflection. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Stellah hopes to be enriched with the right combination of skills and experience to bring strong analytical and problem-solving methods to those she works within mercy and justice.
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Rebecca Rathbone (Canada)
Rebecca was born and raised in Hamilton, Canada. She is currently the Southwestern Ontario Animator for Development & Peace – Caritas Canada, which is the official Humanitarian Aid and International Development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. From 2016-2018 she animated Development & Peace programs in Atlantic Canada, where she had the great pleasure of working with the Mercy Sisters in Newfoundland & Labrador. In 2019 she worked in Vatican City for Caritas Internationalis, to help to develop and coordinate a global youth program for the Caritas confederation and its 160+ member organizations. She now sits on the Caritas Youth Forum working group and represents Canada on the global working group of the Global Catholic Climate Movement’s youth wing, Laudato Si Generation. She holds a Masters of Global Affairs degree from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Rebecca is passionate about working for social and ecological justice, and empowering other youth and women to do the same. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Rebecca hopes to grow in her faith and develop positive leadership skills, and looks forward to meeting and being inspired by the other women in the program.
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Paula Anamani rsm (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Paula works as a Social Practitioner in Counselling and also as a Children & Family Social Worker for ‘Blind and Low Vision’ of New Zealand. This role has exposed her to journey alongside women who have had loss of vision as a result of domestic violence. Empowering women and ensuring that their voices are heard are the driving factors that motivate her to be part of a collective and assertive voice for the vulnerable in our society. Paula’s work has also lead her to work alongside refugees who have lost their vision due to war and conflict in their countries. As a result, she has been compelled to represent and be an advocate for people who have been displaced and seek refuge. Paula has an awareness of all that surrounds her and that which affects our environment especially climate change and its effect on Pacific island nations. She feels it is a duty to ourselves and to our children to be responsible and of service not only to each other but also to our Common Home. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship Paula hopes to gain global connections with other Mercy Leaders, building relationships and supporting others from afar with their new ideas. She hopes that this program will not only benefit herself but also those with whom she works. This will provide new opportunities to connect with others who are passionate to make a difference in our world. She calls on the Maori quote “With your basket and my basket the people will thrive.”
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Sarah Brown (United States)
Sarah lives in the United States of America. She currently serves as the Office Manager of the Mercy Administration Center in Belmont, North Carolina for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central. Her varied background includes national security, international government relations, consulting, leadership, and policymaking. She is passionate about holistic ecology and its link with social justice. The Sisters’ Critical Concerns drew her into the organization, expanded her awareness, and spurred her to learn and explore options to act. Through the transformative journey of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Sarah hopes to discover her unique, impactful role for focused action toward change, develop the knowledge and skills to move into that place of leadership, and to support women along the way.
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Gaby Kinsman (Australia)
Gaby lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She is currently working as the Coordinator of ‘Young Mercy Links SA’ a post-schooling formation initiative of ISMAPNG. She also works in Marketing and Communications for St Aloysius College, Adelaide. She has a Bachelor of Media and has an interest in the storytelling and communication of justice issues. Gaby is extremely passionate about the displacement of persons and in particular young refugees and asylum seekers who do not have access to higher education or work. Under Gaby’s leadership, the Young Mercy Links movement has grown from five to thirty members in two years and she has led two immersions to Cambodia during this time. Her commitment to Mercy was instilled during her high school years at St Aloysius College, Adelaide and Gaby describes her involvement with the Mercy network as one of the most life giving experiences so far. Gaby is inspired to encourage other young people to know Mercy and strive for justice in our world. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, she sees abundant opportunity for further reflection and action on the role that Mercy plays in our response to the signs of our times, and the significant part that young people play in animating this.
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Magdalene Musau (Kenya)
Magdalene Musau lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Kenyan Province. She is currently working part time with the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya as a lecturer and a counsellor. She also offers psychological support to individuals and groups. Her background is in teaching. She is passionate about process work whether with individuals or groups. She is currently working with Mercy Secondary Schools to help students process their life experiences through the title of her book ‘The Change You Want is Within You’. Her fulfilment comes from seeing people get relief and be able to hope and continue with life. As a sister of Mercy, this is at the core of the Mercy Charism. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Magdalene hopes to enhance her awareness and skills for advocacy for the girl child while exploring ways of deepening her Mercy Spirituality and sense of justice.
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Derby B. Mercado rsm (Philippines)
Derby is a member of Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas from the Philippines. Currently she is working as the Finance Officer and Registrar at the School of Saint John the Baptist. She is also involved in the Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), a well-established organization of Professed Sisters of different Congregations. Derby is the link person for SAMIN over 6 Dioceses and is a member of its Board of Trustees. An achievement that she is proud of is her work with the Indigenous People of Mindano, where she was able to help them organize their cooperative to have a sustainable livelihood. She advocates in the area of ecology and has a great interest in Mercy and Justice, especially in Environmental issues including, environmental protection, climate change and Women’s issues. Derby is also passionate in advocating for women who are trafficked, particularly those in the Philippines. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship Derby hopes to develop skills that could lead to creativity and clarity in her ministry. She is excited to learn new things in this program and also open to share whatever she can for others in the program.
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Dominique Marendy (Australia)
Dominique lives in Sydney, Australia. She is currently working in an Animal Health company called 'Elanco'. Through both her career and vocations she has developed a strong passion for positive social change as well as empowering others to find meaningful ways to contribute. One of Dominique's greatest achievements was receiving an award for her commitment to advocate for children with disabilities. Following attendance of a Mercy School in Sydney, Dominique has maintained a connection with the Mercy International Association through her continued involvement in social justice initiatives of the local Mercy Action Group Network and Mercy Global Presence. She has a great interest in developing as a researcher in order to tackle issues surrounding Global Food Security. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Dominique hopes to develop skills for advocacy with displaced peoples and on a personal level, she is keen to further explore the Mercy values that she feels form an integral part of her identity.
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Michelle Gorman rsm (United States)
Michelle Gorman, rsm lives in the United States of America. She is currently an Institute Minister in the administration of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a chaplain at the California State Senate. She has a background in education as a secondary school teacher. As a teenager in Ireland, one of her greatest “achievements” was the discovery of a little book on Catherine McAuley, which led her to enter the Sisters of Mercy in Auburn, California. She is passionate about mercy and justice- God’s mercy, which “remains faithful from age to age (o aois go h-aois)” and God’s justice, which acknowledges and promotes the inherent dignity of all persons and all life. Michelle hopes to integrate her love of poetry into her current concerns for the future sustainability of life on earth, for so many suffering people as well as the planet itself. “Poetry can contribute to social justice when it moves others’ hearts, wakes people up….and kindles the embers of hope.” (Jean Stokan) Michelle envisions this program as a weaving together of many global threads into a new Mercy tapestry, alluring our world into a greater Mercy presence to one another.
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Yonette Alexis Stephens (Guyana)
Yonette Alexis Stephens is an Independent Communication Consultant living in Guyana. At the heart of her professional and voluntary work is her passion for social equality, justice and storytelling.
In the past 15 years, she has provided strategic communication services to several organisations in Guyana and is a seasoned lecturer at the University of Guyana.
Alexis began working on the Critical Concern of racism in 2010, first, as a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Americas Anti-racism Training Team, and now, as a member of Mercy CCASA’s Anti-racism Commission. She has spent the last 13 years developing training content and facilitating anti-racism workshops in several countries including Panama, Argentina, Guyana and Peru.
She is delighted to be selected as a MELF Fellow and looks forward to a transformative and enriching experience with her cohort.
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Sarah Dwan (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Sarah Dwan lives in Auckland New Zealand. She is currently Principal at St. Mary’s College, a Catholic college for 1000 girls in central Auckland. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1850, today, the vision of the college is “21st Century Women of Mercy”.
Sarah’s interest in Mercy stems from her own education within Mercy schools and the encouragement of many leaders that she encountered and worked with in this space. She is interested in how the values and ethos of Mercy can continue to be carried into the future. Sarah has worked in a variety of schools and educational organisations both in the Catholic and state sector.
In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Sarah hopes to gain connections with other Mercy leaders from throughout the world. She hopes that the program will not only benefit herself, but also those with whom she works, including students.
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Dinah Mwendwa (Kenya)
Dinah Mwendwa lives in Nairobi, Kenya. Her background is in finance and accounting with experience of clear financial reporting coupled with proper accountability. She currently works in an organization of the Sisters of Mercy Kenya called Mukuru Promotion Centre. Through her work, she has gained experience in serving the most vulnerable of the community and seeks to empower others about their rights and oversee large projects that are geared towards service delivery and improving the standard of living of the poor.
Her interest in Mercy originates from her encounters with those rendered poor in the slums and the refugees from Great Lakes region. She is also passionate and enthusiastic about human rights and development of the society through transformational leadership.
In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, she hopes to develop skills for advocacy to approach social injustice issues fearlessly.
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Maria Pearson (Argentina)
María Pearson lives in Cordoba, Argentina and is a social worker, specializing in NGO direction and management. She highly values her Mercy education she was given in Argentina.
Since 2017, she works as the Vice-Director of Por los Jóvenes – Don Bosco, a Salesian NGO in Argentina focused on fundraising for social and educational projects in vulnerable communities.
From both a local and national scope, she has more than 15 years of experience in the implementation of projects for the protection of children and youth. She has also participated in the United Nations High Level Political Forum with a focus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
María is convinced that poverty eradication is a decision and is a strong believer that education and decent work are the way to achieve it.
Through MELF, she hopes to deepen her professional growth in order to contribute to the eradication of poverty.
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Virgencita Alegado rsm (Philippines)
Virgencita Alegado rsm is from Mindanao, Philippines and is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She is currently serving as the School Head of Holy Cross High School, a Diocesan school which has been managed by the Sisters of Mercy since 1960. At the same time, she is one of fourteen Institute Ministers of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Virgencita is most passionate about the care for Earth, as well as working towards peace and justice. She advocates these issues both in school and her community. Her advocacy stems from her own experience of living in the Philippines which has been hit with strong typhoons, drought, and other effects of climate change. She stresses that degradation of earth sows disorder, which is the absence of peace and injustice.
She hopes that through the MELF Program, she will be able to strengthen and share her advocacy skills. With the collective capabilities of the women, they will be able to empower others in the greater Mercy World.
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Jo Thompson (United Kingdom)
Jo Thompson was born and raised in the North East of England. She is currently Head of Advocacy and Relationships for a London based NGO women@thewell which provides a uniquely holistic, multifaceted range of services to women who are involved with prostitution and the wider sex trade. It was built on ten years of experience of its founder Lynda Dearlove rsm. The Sisters of Mercy have a history grounded in working with and for women in difficult and challenging situations.
In her role, Jo is responsible for policy, communications, fundraising, HR and training programs, amplification of all communication strands, marketing and all projects relating to exiting prostitution.
Through the Mercy Global Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Jo hopes to experience new cultures and networks, whilst growing her leadership skills. Her ultimate aim is to strengthen her skills to better equip her to work towards the abolition of prostitution.
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Cynthia Mulholland (Australia)
Cynthia Mulholland lives in the Hunter Valley in Australia. She is currently working in communications for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). She has a background in communications and community development and is passionate about finding solutions to, and raising awareness of, injustice.
Cynthia’s Mercy journey started in 2015 when she was appointed as the Manager for Sacred Spaces Singleton, a ministry of ISMAPNG based at the Singleton Convent. Cynthia is an active member of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) and looks forward to continuing to develop her skills in advocacy and raising awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery.
Cynthia is looking forward to further exploring Mercy spirituality and how it relates to justice and caring for people who are vulnerable and marginalised.
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Andrea Haller (United States)
Andrea Haller is from the United States of America. In her current role as Community Coordinator with Mercy Volunteer Corps (MVC), a ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Andrea supports volunteers compassionately serving the United States and Guyana. Having served with MVC in Guyana as a Special Education Teacher, it is her joy to accompany Mercy Volunteers through their development as advocates for justice and agents for change.
Andrea is passionate about anti-racism work and examining the intersection of white dominance with all injustices. She has participated in a variety of intercultural and interfaith conversations and action groups through Mercy and within her local community to dismantle implicit bias and unjust systems of oppression.
Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Andrea hopes to learn, in collaboration with Mercy women leaders current and emerging, to combine her passions and skills to effectively advocate for change that places, at the center, the dignity of all beings and earth.
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Hilda Cruz (United States)
Hilda Cruz lives in the United States of America. She is the Regional Program Director with the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, which seeks inclusion and equity for all immigrants. She wears her Latino culture’s resilience, stories, prayers, songs, music, and beauty daily. Hilda’s interest in Mercy stems from her experience as a first-generation immigrant working to undo systems of exclusion and oppression.
She is a Catholic woman who has been recognized as a “Change Maker” and “Transforming Leader.” Her most significant achievement is holding public, multi-faith prayer services centered on stories of impacted persons that move communities to take action.
As a Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellow, she hopes to connect with other women globally and bring light to the many factors of the displacement of people while seeking a collective vision and calls to action guided by the spirituality of justice and Mercy.
Cohort 1 Fellows (2019-2021) presented their final research projects on January 16-18, 2021. These projects covered a range of Mercy justice issues, including homelessness, anti-racism, climate change, the effects of COVID-19 and money as mercy.
Cohort 2 Fellows (2022-2023) presented their final research projects on July 13, 2023. These projects covered topics such as non-violence, mental health responses, sustainable agriculture and food production, nutrition programs for children in need, and environmental conservation.
Cohort 3 Fellows (2023-2024) presented their final research projects on July 10-11, 2024. These projects covered a diverse range of topics, including migration, the sexual exploitation of women, human rights, teenage pregnancy, development, the empowerment of Indigenous peoples, youth engagement in advocacy, and extractivism.
The MELF Leadership Generating Project
In 2022, Mercy Global Action launched the Leadership Generating Project. The purpose of this project is to build and secure the long-term sustainability of the MELF Program and to promote the value of women’s leadership, education and empowerment in advocacy at the United Nations and through communication and collaboration with others across the Mercy World. A key part of this project has been the development of a MELF Impact Report, which examines the structure, experience and early impact of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship. To find out more about this project, and how you can contribute to the ongoing sustainability of the MELF Program, please reach out to Colleen Swain: colleenswain@mercyinternational.ie and/or Jemima Welsh: jemimawelsh@mercyinternational.ie
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