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Erika Anderson, Class of 1991

Co-owner and Head Brewer at Unified Beerworks in Malta, NY.



Erika’s journey to owning and operating a brewery took a somewhat roundabout path. During her time at Holy Names Erika leaned (heavily!) toward her art classes rather than math and science courses. However, after graduating from AHN and going on to college, Erika found herself exploring different subjects and became interested in science. She went on to receive a degree in Computer Science, with a minor in Art. Erika spent many years in corporate America, where she gained knowledge about running a business (which would serve her well when she made the decision to open a craft brewery). During this time she and her husband Jeff began exploring new breweries wherever they went, and five years ago decided to give home brewing a try. It didn’t take long before both were hooked, and each started creating their own recipes. The hobby soon grew into a passion, and after many batches of beer, and many conversations, they decided to open their own brewery and taproom, Unified Beerworks, where they could share their passion for craft beer with the community. 

It's no surprise Erika fell in love with craft brewing-it’s a perfect combination of science and art. However, being a female in a male dominated industry posed challenges and she learned that many women have to fight through the inherent imbalance in the brewing industry to prove themselves, including advocating for equal pay for equal skills.

Read the full feature HERE

AHN Alumna Returns to Holy Names to Share Her Journey with Breast Cancer

AHN Students Raise Awareness and Funds for Breast Cancer

On Sunday, October 16 a team of students, faculty and staff participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Washington Park.

The team raised nearly $2,000 to support breast cancer research and education.

Class of 1960

Three alumnae from the Class of 1960 are being celebrated for 60 years of service as a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Academy of the Holy Names congratulates Mary Ellen Holohan, Mary Pat Vandercar, and Janet Walton, and is grateful to them for their service.

Mary Ellen Holohan

Sister M. Alice Elizabeth

Mary Pat Vandercar

Sister M. Peter David

Janet Walton

Mary Ellen Holohan (Sister M. Alice Elizabeth)

In her early ministries, Sister Mary Ellen was a secondary school science educator at SNJM schools in Key West, FL, Silver Spring, MD, and Albany, NY. She also did pastoral care and outreach ministry in a low-income Albany parish. She served twice in congregational leadership in Quebec as well as twice in provincial leadership in Oregon. She continues to contribute her

skills and insights in consultive ways.

Mary Pat Vandercar (Sister M. Peter David)

Sister Mary Pat’s ministry began with elementary school teaching, followed by nine years in school administration, including principal of the elementary school at AHN Tampa. Subsequently, she used her History degree by maintaining Province archives and helping researchers access SNJM documents on topics including slavery and piracy. Her administrative skills helped her manage the Albany Convent grounds and provide technology support at AHN Albany for over a decade.

Janet Walton

Janet’s 60 years of ministry on the East Coast includes teaching music at The Performing Arts Center and at AHN Albany, lecturing and writing about worship and the arts at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and consulting in U.S. synagogues. In retirement, she accompanies refugees as they settle into New York. She is filled with gratitude for family, friends and strangers who have taught her to live with openness, resilience, hope and happiness.

Maryclaire Witbeck Osegueda, Class of 1986

After a long career as a non profit executive Maryclaire decided to return to school to pursue a Master's Degree. She got her MBA in Accounting in May of 2020 and started a new job as a federal government contract auditor not long after. Maryclaire is currently studying for the Certified Internal Auditor exam and hopefully will have that designation soon. 

Michelle Mahon, Class of 1990

Michelle, who works as Director of Development at University at Albany, recently began her term as the President of the Junior League of Albany. Michelle is also a current Trustee at Academy of the Holy Names.

Kristen Smith Staikos, Class of 1991

Kristen is on the Board of Yale New Haven Health as a member of the Norma Pfriem Breast Center (which provides care regardless of ability to pay) and has chaired Yale’s Pink Pledge Campaign four times. This year the campaign reached celebrity status with the Mombies performing at our Kick-Off Pep Rally. The committee painted the town PINK-street lamps, Town Hall, Police and Fire Stations, the Town Green, and the highlight this year was painting pink stripes down the streets in town, all to increase awareness and the importance of early detection. Kristen is also a current Trustee at Academy of the Holy Names.

Morgan Nelligan Weisz, Class of 2005

Morgan is living and working in Washington DC as a Family Nurse Practitioner, working in Women’s Health. She and her husband Josh have two children, 2-year old Gavin and Zoe, 5 months.

Michelle Polacinski, Class of 2011

Michelle was honored at the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region’s 2022 Resourceful Women of the Year event. She was recognized for her work in the arts through her organization 518 Film Network.

Catherine Vivian, Class of 2014

Catie graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in 2018, and accepted a position with E&J Gallo Winery shortly thereafter. After working as a sales representative for a few years, Cate was promoted to District Manager of a sales team; after a year and a half in that role, Cate just accepted her newest role as a Market Development Manager based out of Northern Virginia. 

Anna Milton, Class of 2015 

Anna graduated from Pepperdine University in 2019, and moved back to NY after graduation. She started in commercial real estate/development in NYC at Tishman Speyer, then moved on to receive a certificate of Interior Design from Parsons School of Design. Anna started working for Monica Fried Design, with projects in Manhattan and The Hamptons. She’s now in LA and

branching out on her own with her company Ann Milton Interiors. annamiltoninteriors.com

AHN Was Well Represented at the YWCA-GCR 2022 Resourceful Women of the Year Event

L-R: Erika Siebels Groff '95, whose company Groff NetWorks sponsored the event; Michelle Polacinski '11, was recognized for her work in the arts community; Sandra Odom '23 was honored as a Young Girl on a Mission; and Tamara Thorpe-Odom '92, Sandra's mother.

In Memoriam

We remember our alumnae who have passed away between July 1-November 7, 2022, and ask you to keep these women and their families in your prayers.



Theresa Tarzio Rinaldi, Class of 1943

Joan Fitzgerald Bailey, Class of 1944

Gertrude Ellen Ryan Kresge, Class of 1954

Jane Barrett Florick, Class of 1956

Judith Myers Cavanaugh, Class of 1958

Rosemary Bolognino Cuzdey, Class of 1958

Gloria Piela Doherty, Class of 1962

Mary Jill Cassidy Leonard, Class of 1962

Maureen Flynn, Class of 1966

Kathleen Ray Crawford, Class of 1967

Joan Murray, Class of 1971

Meghan Marohn, Class of 1997  

*If there is an alumna not listed, please contact Nora Loughney Ritinski '05 at nritinski@ahns.org.

Remembering Sister Annette Covatta, Class of 1946

Sr. Annette Covatta, who passed away in 2020, oversaw the creation of AHN's Campus Arts Center. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 12, at 10:30 am at Calvary Cemetery, Rt. 9 in Glenmont. If you'd like to attend or help in the planning please leave your name with the Sisters of the Holy Names at 518-482-5092 by 8:00 pm on Thursday November 10.

Why not get together while giving back?

Join fellow AHN Alumnae to volunteer at the Regional Food Bank on Wednesday November 16, 2022. Email Liz McGarry at emcgarry@ahns.org to reserve your spot, or to request additional information.

Come back to campus to support AHN's Fall drama production, Legend of Sleepy Hollow.



Tickets on sale now!

Help us celebrate the start of the Christmas season! We look forward to welcoming alumnae, parents, students and friends to campus for a very merry Christmas celebration, during which we will be Lighting the Bell Tower, a special AHN tradition.

Thanksgiving Song Contest

Join us for this fun annual AHN tradition on Tuesday November 22, 2022.

The song contest starts at 2:00 pm in the Riley Auditorium.

Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

If you plan on attending please email ahnadvancement@ahns.org

by Thursday November 17, 2022

There are many upcoming ways to connect with AHN or support AHN.

Keep up to date on events by visiting our website.

GIVING TUESDAY

November 29, 2022

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION & LIGHTING OF THE BELL TOWER

December 8, 2022

AHN CHRISTMAS CONCERT

December 15, 2022

#ALLINFORAHN

February 9, 2023

SPRING GALA

April 28, 2023

ALUMNAE INDUCTION CEREMONY

May 23, 2023

HELP US LIGHT UP THE AHN BELL TOWER

Lighting the AHN Bell Tower at Christmastime is one of the

most beloved traditions at Holy Names. If you would like to make a gift in memory of, or in honor of, a loved one please click HERE.

Make sure to join us on December 8 at AHN for the Lighting of the Bell Tower at our AHN Community Christmas Celebration.

AHN ALUMNAE RECEPTION IN NEW YORK CITY

We were thrilled to see our alumnae who live in and around the NYC area at our Alumnae reception on Thursday October 27, 2022! We had a wonderful time reconnecting and reminiscing, and were happy to introduce members of our AHN community to our new President, Dr. Marty Kilbridge.

Thank you to Susan Rogler Gomez '81 and Erin Shea '95 for hosting the event at Tanner Smiths, and thank you to all of our alumnae who were able to join us!

Stay tuned to learn more about AHN Alumnae receptions

that will be coming to your area!

Please Support the 2022-23 AHN Annual Fund

AHN has always believed in the potential of its students, empowering them to pursue personal and professional goals with confidence, be leaders in their communities, and achieve excellence in their careers. With your collective power as alumnae, Holy Names can continue to provide opportunities for these young women to grow spiritually, emotionally and intellectually into the people they are meant to become.



A gift to the AHN Annual Fund is an investment in the future generation of leaders

who will go on to be the builders of a better world.

Your gift to the AHN Annual Fund supports:

• Individualized attention                         
• STEM Programming
• Personalized college counseling            
• Technology upgrades and campus improvements
• Visual and performing arts programs     
• Expanded scholarship opportunities
• Leadership opportunities                        
• Athletics

Please make a gift now by visiting ahns.org/annualfund.

Thank you for your continued support!

Small Business Saturday is fast approaching! This holiday season

(and all year round) please consider patronizing one of our

AHN Affiliated businesses.

To see a list of AHN community businesses with full contact information,

including websites, click here.

If you would like us to add your business to the list, please click here!

STAY CONNECTED WITH HOLY NAMES!

Do you need to update your contact information? Click HERE

Do you own a business that you would like us to include in our

AHN Community Business Directory? Click HERE



Are you interested in serving as a Class Connector? Click HERE to learn more!

Questions?

Contact Elizabeth McGarry, Assistant Director of Advancement

Academy of the Holy Names

emcgarry@ahns.org - 518-438-7895 ext. 603

To keep up to date on what's happening at AHN please follow the AHN blog,

and continue to check out the News page on our website.