Mercy International Association announces MELF Cohort Five

To mark International Women’s Day, Mercy International Association is delighted to announce details of Cohort Five of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship (MELF).

Cohort Five are: Angela Howard-McParland and Tatiana Díaz (USA); Sr. Aura Matalines rsm and Floravel Ambas (Philippines); Josie Ruawhare and Kilisitina (Tina) Vaeatangitua rsm (New Zealand); Sr. Mary Kanyi rsm (Kenya); Pamela McLoughlin and Siobhán Kenny (Ireland); and Saska Sertimer (Guyana).

MELF seeks to build upon the capacities of women and provide effective tools to be agents of change in their own communities and in the greater society.

MELF provides 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 in which it provides an opportunity for fellows to establish strong links and networking across the Mercy World through international encounters, webinars and modules, mentorship and more. The fellowship program has been designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking, promote collaborative leadership and personal reflection leading to a compassionate and communal response to current concerns of our world.

Our MELF Programme is managed by our justice arm Mercy Global Action (MGA). The Fellowship consists of six components:

·       Three International Engagements and Encounters to Siem Reap, Cambodia; New York, USA; and Dublin, Ireland.

·       Individual Research Project

·       Reading Modules

·       Mentorship Programme

·       Grassroots Ministry Justice Engagement

·       Webinars and Online Engagement

Commenting on MELF Cohort Five, Sr. Angela Reed rsm, Head of MGA said, “At the heart of our Mercy charism is the education, empowerment, and encouragement of women. The contribution of younger women to the Mercy Global Action Office is both a gift and an opportunity, providing mutual benefits to the women and also to the advancement of our work at MGA.

“We are delighted to have such a rich and diverse group of women in Cohort Five and we look forward to working with them over the programme calendar year of September 2025 to September 2026.”

To keep up to date with the MELF Programme see @MiaGlobalAction on Facebook and Instagram and our website www.mercyworld.org.

Short Biographies of Cohort Five

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.

Tatiana Díaz was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. She moved to the United States to pursue her higher education where 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, she 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.

Sr. Aura Matalines rsm is a Sister of Mercy, currently serving at Mercy Community Hospital, Inc. in Iligan City, Philippines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After entering religious life with the Sisters of Mercy in 2005, she served as an in-house counsellor for sexually abused children, accompanying them in court and providing support. She studied Pharmacy to address the hospital's needs and now works as a hospital pharmacist and hospital administrator on training.

Floraval Ambas is a Filipina, 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. (MCCI), a Community Extension Service of the Holy Infant College managed by the Sisters of Mercy, Tacloban. MCCI is supporting and serving the children in street situations in Tacloban City. Floravel is a mental health and child rights advocate and is actively involved in various advocacies for children and youth since 2000.

Josie Ruawhare of Māori and Cook-Island descent, is part of the indigenous people from Aotearoa, New Zealand. 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. 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.

Sr. Kilisitina (Tina) Vaeatangitau rsm was born and raised in Tonga. In 1983, she 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 Tina 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, she taught in various primary schools across different regions of New Zealand for over twenty years. 

Sr. Mary Kanyi rsm is from Kenya. She is currently 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 her 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.

Pamela McLoughlin is a teacher at Mercy College Coolock, in Dublin, Ireland. She is proud to work in an energetic environment with a deep commitment to Mercy values. 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.

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 to her current role in 2018. She is responsible for developing and managing programmes, projects and initiatives that give expression to the culture, mission and values of Mercy University Hospital. She 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.

Saska Sertimer is a Family Physician, born and raised in 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 her patients and ensuring that they receive the best possible care are my priority areas.  As a Mercy Associate, she serves on the Board of Directors in numerous Committees thus ensuring that the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital delivers excellent care. At a parish level Saska engages in cleaning, fund-raising activities, mentorship of youths and general upkeep of the parish. In addition, advocacy for treatment of individuals with life-threatening bleeding disorders is at the centre of her involvement with the Guyana Haemophilia Society. 

Find about more about the Fellows in Cohort Five here.

About MIA and MGA

Mercy Global Action is the justice arm of Mercy International Association - an organisation of the leaders of Mercy Congregations, Institutes and Federations throughout the world, founded to serve the Sisters of Mercy, their associates and partners in ministry. 

The purpose of this Association is to inspire Sisters of Mercy and their Associates to incarnate the spirit of Catherine McAuley in ways which are creative and appropriate to the needs of our time and to foster unity of mind and heart among Sisters of Mercy worldwide.

MIA has its base in Baggot Street in Dublin, in the original House of Mercy opened by Catherine McAuley in 1827.