Board of Directors

The composition of the McAuley Ministries Board of Directors is designed to connect our founders — the Sisters of Mercy — with the community. Twenty-nine percent of McAuley Ministries board members are residents of the Hill District, Uptown, or West Oakland, the primary communities we serve. We value diversity, inclusion, and equity. As such, our board is enriched through its racial, gender, and age diversity. Together, our board members contribute their experience in education, community and economic development, health and human services, finance, and our Mercy heritage.

2023 Board of Directors

Emma T. Lucas-Darby, PhD (Chairperson)
Educator and Hill District Entrepreneur

Sister Susan Welsh, RSM (Vice Chairperson)
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Diane Matje, RSM (Secretary)
Sisters of Mercy

Tia L. Baker
Chief Executive Officer, Crown Cut Concierge
Chief Operating Officer, Cupcakes Most Wanted
Membership Director, Ujamaa Collective

Tony Beltran
President & CEO
Pittsburgh Mercy

Sister Sheila Carney, RSM
Special Assistant to the President for Mercy Heritage & Service, Carlow University
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Bonnie Heh, RSM
Finance Director, The Intersection
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Patricia McCann, RSM 
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Kathleen McGrady, SC
Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill

Thelma Lovette Morris
Retired Educator

Howard B. Slaughter Jr., D. Sc., MBA, MPM
President & Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh

Sister Judith Stojhovic, RSM
Sisters of Mercy

Marisol Wandiga Valentin
Executive Director
McAuley Ministries

Micaela Young
Communications, Photography, and Video Producer

Founding Board Members

Sister Sheila Carney, RSM
Special Assistant to the President for Mercy Heritage & Service, Carlow University
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Patricia Mary Hespelein, RSM
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Patricia McCann, RSM
Sisters of Mercy

Sister Lorraine Meskowski, RSM
Sisters of Mercy

Michele Rone Cooper
Former Executive Director
McAuley Ministries

Sister Susan Welsh, RSM
Sisters of Mercy

Updated: September 8, 2023