Celebrating Our 2026 Honorees

The Women’s Leadership Luncheons celebrate women leaders who are making an impact on our world. Several of our sponsors have named women who they wish to honor for their leadership within their community. Others have named sisters who have impacted their lives. You can read about all of these women honorees and their achievements and positive impacts below. Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible.

Women Honorees

Honoree

Nancy Poinsatte

Visionary
St. Philip & St. Augustine Catholic Academy

Nancy is a visionary who attributes her inspiration to the Holy Spirit. Her work improves the lives of the students and community at one of the diocese’s struggling schools, St. Philip & St. Augustine Catholic Academy. She dreamed of an outside Mass where all people could attend. She planned an open Mass at the Arboretum where Bishop Kelly presided for hundreds of attendees. The children came to school hungry, but the school kitchen was not workable, so with the school board and principal, she started a campaign to feed the children. The $3.5 million campaign was a big stretch for the Pleasant Grove Community, and many said it couldn’t be done. Her team raised some funds and made a presentation which won a $1 million grant from Crystal Charity Ball. The grant was then matched by an anonymous donor. The kitchen will be built and cafeteria expanded, to hold the children making the school eligible for the free lunch program.

Honoree

Sister Janice Fennewald, SSND

Transportation Coordinator
School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province

On behalf of Jim Butler Auto Group, we are pleased to honor Sister Janice Fennewald.

To know Sister Janice is to know love, peace and God’s grace. Her commitment to Christ and his children along with her undeniable sacrifices are to say the least, exemplary. She brings laughter and joy to all around her.

With all our love, we thank you, Sister Janice. You are a beautiful light in our lives.

Honoree

Sister Mary Kennedy, SSND

Provincial Leader
Province of Latin America and the Caribbean

Villagers were used to other missionaries…coming to build a school or a well and then leaving. “They kept asking how long we’d be there”, Mary said. “We told them, ‘However long God wants us here’. After 6 or 7 years…they stopped asking. I think the reason we have had so much success is because we stayed.”

Sister Mary and her SSND associates in 20+ years didn’t lead construction crews or tell the villagers what they need. They were catalysts, magnetically coaxing the natives’ own dreams and aspirations for their community to the surface, and they took it from there. Over her time there, the community built and now maintain a pastoral center, a local co-op store, a coffee farmers’ Cooperative, a high school and much more. But more: they fostered Faith in God and one another. That stays, too.

Honoree

Shenora Jordon

Principal
Messmer High School

Shenora is the most amazing and caring educational leader you will find. Her very positive personality reflects her belief that Jesus is her Savior and that she is loved by God. Shenora shares this love and passion with our students every day through her morning and afternoon prayers. She follows Jesus’ example of love by telling our students that she loves them no matter what and there’s nothing they can do about it. In fact, our seniors recite this line back to her at the graduation ceremony. Loving high school students isn’t always easy, but Shenora continues to see the good qualities in each of our Bishops and isn’t afraid to show tough love when needed.

Shenora is passionate about ensuring our students have every opportunity to succeed in their education and are “ready to leave” for a successful life beyond high school. Her innovative approach has created numerous partnerships and opportunities for our students to explore God’s vocations set out for them, whether that be college or career. Messmer’s academic success is a result of Shenora’s exceptional, Christ-filled leadership!

Honoree

Alexis Hershey

Chief Digital Officer
Midwest BankCenter

Alexis Hershey is a woman of vision whose life’s purpose is helping others maximize their gifts and reach their full potential. Guided by this calling, her leadership and service focus on removing systemic barriers and expanding access to opportunity, particularly for women and historically marginalized communities.

Alexis has demonstrated sustained, high-impact leadership through her long-standing service with United Way of Greater St. Louis, where she has been a Leadership Giver since 2007 and currently serves as Chair of the Women’s Leadership Society. In this role, she mobilizes women leaders and philanthropic resources to strengthen the region’s social safety net and drive meaningful, collective impact.

Her commitment to justice and dignity extends across multiple boards, including Marian Middle School, the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, and Safe Connections—reflecting a deep concern for education, family stability, and healing for survivors of violence.

Alexis is especially distinguished by her volunteer salary negotiation coaching, which she launched after identifying a critical gap in access to pay-equity knowledge. Over the past five years, she has coached more than 350 women and people of color at no cost, helping them secure life-changing increases in compensation and narrowing wage disparities across our region.

Alexis Hershey turns empathy into action, vision into results, and service into lasting change—making her a truly deserving honoree.

Honoree

Amy Bush

Head of Academics and Instruction
Notre Dame High School

Amy Bush has devoted more than two decades of dedicated service to Notre Dame High School, a community that has shaped both her personal and professional journey. A proud graduate of the Class of 2001, Amy felt called to continue her connection to the school by pursuing a degree in History education at Southeast Missouri State University. After completing her studies, she returned home to NDHS, beginning her teaching career in the 2006–2007 school year. In the classroom, she inspired students with her passion for history and her commitment to Catholic education.

In 2016–2017, while earning her master’s degree in Catholic leadership from Saint Louis University, Amy transitioned into administration. As Head of Academics and Instruction, she has played a vital role in shaping the school’s academic vision. She helped establish the current leadership model, streamlined academic programs, and guided the school community through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her leadership, Amy has remained deeply committed to preserving the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, ensuring that their mission continues to thrive under lay leadership. Among the highlights of her career are visits to Notre Dame in Kyoto, Japan in 2024 and the SSND site in Munich, Germany in 2026.

Honoree

Carol Battalora

STAR Instructional Support
SSND Associate
Notre Dame of Dallas Schools

Exceptional mother, grandmother, wife, SSND associate and educator at Notre Dame of Dallas Schools.

We are all blessed by Carol’s gifts and talents!

Honoree

Rose Purpero Spang

A Legacy of Leadership and Generosity

Rose’s influence extends beyond her professional achievements. Whether mentoring young professionals, volunteering her time, participating in networking events, raising funds for worthy causes, or celebrating with friends and family, Rose consistently leads by example. Her actions reflect a steadfast commitment to empowering others and building strong communities.

Rose’s educational journey was made possible through college scholarships she received for both her undergraduate and graduate studies. These scholarships played a pivotal role in her ability to attend and graduate from college, and she continues to honor their impact by paying the gift forward. Rose established the Charles and Rosalia Purpero Scholarship Fund at Alverno College, provides annual scholarship funding at Marquette University, supports the Ladies of UNICO scholarship program. Her generosity has helped hundreds of students, enabling them to pursue and advance their education.

Throughout her career, Rose has received numerous professional awards and recognitions. These include Outstanding Alumnae of the Year at Alverno College, multiple Sales Leader of the Year awards at NML, the YWCA’s Outstanding Women of the Year distinction, and the Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award. Each of these honors reflects Rose’s unwavering dedication and service to her community.

Honoree

Mia Jones

Director of Assisted Living
The Sarah Community – Veronica House

We are excited to recognize Mia Jones for the heart, dedication and servant leadership she brings to The Sarah Community each day. Mia consistently goes the extra mile for her residents while always being ready to lend a helping hand to her teammates. Her positive attitude, willingness to support others and commitment to compassionate care make a meaningful difference across our community. Mia’s teamwork and dedication truly reflect the kind of leader she has become and we are grateful for the impact she continues to make.

Most recently Mia has been recognized for her collaboration and teamwork in facilitating needed resources and improvements to make an immediate impact to the care the residents receive at The Sarah Community. She has a tremendous ability to identify critical needs and to creatively put solutions in place, all while being selfless in her leadership to keep the residents at the center of the care being delivered.

Honoree

Anna Metscher

Farm Manager-Clare Gardens
Trinity Senior Services

Anna Metscher has served as the Manager of Clare Gardens Farm for eight years, exemplifying leadership, dedication, and education through her daily work. Clare Gardens was founded and established 10 years ago as an extension of the ministry of Milwaukee Catholic Home. Today, Clare Gardens delivers fresh, organic, locally sourced produce to our senior living communities (of Trinity Senior Services) as well as other senior facilities in the Milwaukee area. Anna is often a one-woman operation-planting, harvesting, and preparing vegetables by hand, while also leading a small team of three to sustain the farm’s productivity and mission.

Beyond growing food, Anna is a passionate educator. She regularly hosts tours for residents, staff, and community groups, sharing the history of Clare Gardens and teaching visitors about organic farming, sustainability, and the importance of fresh food for healthy aging and wellness. Her ability to translate hands-on agricultural work into meaningful learning experiences makes her impact truly exceptional.

Anna’s leadership extends far beyond the fields. Through education, stewardship, and community engagement, she has cultivated not only a thriving farm, but also a deeper connection between people, food, and lifelong learning, making her an outstanding candidate for this honor.

Sister Honorees

Sister Sandra Bay, SSND

Honored by Sandy Ellison

Sister Sandy Bay is a quiet pillar of her community and a luminous presence in the lives she touches. As a spiritual director, she listens with her whole heart—the kind of listening that makes room for truth, healing, and hope. When Sandy says she’ll pray for you, you know she will, faithfully and lovingly. You leave her presence lighter, steadier and more at peace with yourself, because she has a rare gift for seeing the good in everyone she meets and reflecting it back to them.

A longtime friend to me and a source of kindness to my family and friends, Sandy’s generosity of spirit knows no bounds. Through retreats and gentle guidance, she passes on the love of Jesus with humility, warmth and grace.

Sister Nancy Marie Becker, SSND

Honored by Mary Emke

Sister Nancy has dedicated her life to service for others as an educator, host at Maria Center, School Sisters of Notre Dame vocation director and at Criminal Justice Ministry. Many have been touched by her caring and wise counsel. Her caring spirit extends to the earth as she is serious about doing her part to secure a good place for future generations by recycling and strongly encouraging others to do so and brightening her small part of the world with her gardening skills. Joy and good humor characterize Sister Nancy and keep her young. She is willing to try new adventures including concocting a new recipe, learning a new game or her latest passion, trout fishing. Many call her friend and are proud to be in her circle. Definitely, a life based on the ideals expressed in Laudato Si.

Sister Louise Marie Bennecke, SSND

Honored by Lucy Hewing

Sister Louise Benecke taught at St. Anthony Grade School in Effingham, Illinois, for only 2 years, 1952 and 1953. It might have been her first teaching assignment. She was my second-grade teacher and I have vivid memories of her preparing all of us for our First Holy Communion. I still have the holy card she gave to each of us on that special day. There were over fifty students in my class and we all loved her. I am able to visit her at Veronica House in St. Louis. During one of my visits, I was able to put names to all the second graders in my class on our First Holy Communion picture that she has displayed by her bedside. She told me that she prays for us each night.

Sister M. Francita Bettels, SSND †

Honored by The Honorable Andrew J. Gleeson

Women as educators is a theme that resonates strongly within me. My first educator in life was my Mom, who was also a parochial high school teacher.

My Mother and Father believed that it was important to provide a Catholic education to my brothers, sister and me. The majority of my grade school years were spent at Holy Angels, East St. Louis, Illinois, which was staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Sister M. Francita Bettels was my sixth-grade teacher at Holy Angels during the 1971-1972 school year. That school year was the calm before the storm. Many traumatic changes and events were in store for the next school year which a seasoned observer could have certainly predicted. Gratefully, Sister Francita made my sixth grade experience a steady and stable school year. It was her last year teaching. We began each school day singing “Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us, and has risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages.” I carry that memory today through the sorrows and joys of life. Thank you, Sister Francita, for that year of a steady calm before the storm.

Sister Luanne Boland, SSND

Honored by Peter M. Rohrich III, PMR Law

Prayer can be profoundly powerful, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Prayer provides comfort, clarity, and strength when pressure feels overwhelming. The impact of Prayer is often magnified when others are praying on your behalf. During my preparation for the Missouri Bar Exam, a time marked by stress and high expectations, I was fortunate to have Sister Luanne praying for positive results. Her faith and encouragement reinforced for me why prayer matters—not only as a source of hope, but as a way to release fear and trust the process. She also introduced me to the concept of a “God Box,” a practice of writing down worries and placing them in God’s hands. It is a simple yet meaningful reminder to have faith and trust in God. Sister Luanne gave me a “God Box” which I continue to use today. She is always in my prayers, as she kept me in hers.

Sister Jean Dietrich, SSND

Honored by the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Jefferson City

Sister Jean Dietrich, SSND, has been a blessing to the community in the Diocese of Jefferson City for over 4 decades. A graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School and a School Sister for almost 55 years, Sister Jean served Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City for 40 years, as principal, assistant principal and instructor. She has also served as liaison with Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. A recipient of the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope Francis, Sister Jean is a model of discipleship and a deeply supportive member of our Catholic education community. She says it best in her own words: “Our role as School Sisters is transforming the world through education. You do that one child at a time. I think that is what we have been doing.” Thank you, Sister!

Sister Joan DiProspere, SSND

Honored by Martha Roedder

Sister Joan is an outstanding educational leader, having begun her career while teaching students in the primary grades. Following this, she was appointed principal at St. Joseph School in Manchester, Missouri.

Sister Joan’s career switched direction when she was appointed administrator at Villa Gesu, the former retirement home for the sisters. She maintained this position until the Villa closed and was sold.

Sister Joan is currently working on the Provincial Council for the sisters, this being her third term. She is most conscientious in this endeavor, as well covering an extensive portion of the country.

Sister Mary Ann Eckhoff, SSND †

Honored by Martha Roedder

Education was her top priority. As such, she was the first woman Superintendent of Schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She was also the first woman President of North Central Association of College & Schools and the first woman on the Executive Board of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals. She was awarded a Women of Achievement Award from the St. Louis Globe Democrat in 1980. At age 85, Mary Ann was sent to Rome as an administrator at SSND’s International Headquarters.

Mary Ann was undaunted by how important people were. She treated them all the same.

Sister Nancy Flamm, SSND

Honored by Friends and Family of Sister Barbara Neist, SSND

Sister Nancy currently ministers to the sisters at The Sarah Community caring for them and giving them her loving presence. Sister Nancy once again gave her presence to Sister Celly Amparano by sitting by her side many hours during the last years of her life. I think this quote by the School Sisters of Notre Dame Foundress, Blessed Theresa Gerhardingger, describes Sister Nancy: The gentle person is like a quietly flowing river; upon its surface loads of very precious goods are brought upstream and safely to shore.

Sister Patricia Gravemann, SSND

Honored by Joan C. Harris

In honor of my dear cousin, who is in the “shadow of God’s wings” as she continues to share kindness, encouragement, and solves problems. There are challenges in her duties and personal life. She displays resilience and tenacity to overcome and stay positive with deep faith that inspires!

Sister Clarea Hotze, SSND †

Honored by Jack and Georgie Gibbs

Sister Clarea taught 7th and 8th grade at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School in Alice, Texas, in the last 1950’s. I attended her classes in 1953-54 and 1954-55. She was a very inspirational teacher and expected the best from her students. She was a joyful and cheerful person, but a strict disciplinarian. She gave me the love of learning and the mastery of good study habits that carried me easily through public high school, college and later in life. Aside from my parents, Sister Clarea was the first major influence on my life.

Sister Margaret Alice (Alicette) Jehle, SSND †

Honored by Donna Emht

Sister Alicette was a strong influence in my time at Notre Dame. She had an infectious smile that was always on her face. She had those rosy cheeks that were the result of her consistent laughter. She taught with a kindness and gentleness, with the right amount of discipline. She seemed to be fully content with her vocation. And the fact that she played the piano by ear always impressed me.

Sister Alicette showed us the importance of doing good, through her lessons and her behavior. She taught us to approach life with gusto, but humility, with assertiveness, but gratitude. I am thankful that she was a part of my early life and had an impact on the person I became.

Thank you, Sister Alicette!

Sister Jean Schmid, SSND

Honored by Lucy Hewing

Sister Jean Schmid taught at St. Anthony High School in Effingham, Illinois, in the 1960’s. I attended her classes from 1960-1964, when she taught Latin and English, and I had her for both subjects. To this day, I still find myself noting the relationship between the two languages, such as our word agriculture comes from the Latin word agricola. I always admired her and she impacted my life in such a positive way. I have a picture of her with me in my cap and gown from high school graduation. After college, I too became an elementary teacher. I feel very fortunate at 80 years old that I am able to visit her at Anna House in St. Louis.

School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific

Women’s Leadership Luncheon 2026 Honorees