ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: 
Jennifer Melo '17

After graduating from Princeton this June,

CAB grad begins law career in NYC

If Jennifer Melo's face looks familiar, it's because she was the student speaker at our Annual Golf Classic in 2021 where she wowed those in attendance with her story (photos below). At that time, Melo was beaming as she shared she would be attending Princeton University in the fall. “Coming from a family where no one had ever received or pursued a higher education, my mother had a dream that one day she would be able to watch her only daughter walk across the stage and grab her diploma. Equipped with a goal she would work tirelessly to ensure, my mother turned to the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport,” said Melo in 2021. Now, both Melo and her mother's dream have come true: Melo graduated from Princeton this past June, and now works in Manhattan as a Paralegal at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton where she specializes in LATAM and Brazilian Capital Markets. She plans to attend law school in the future. "In working on the legal side of Capital Markets in this region, I hope to gain a well-rounded skill set that will allow me to approach the question of socio-economic development through a multi-disciplinary lens, which I find both intellectually stimulating and productive...I hope to develop the expertise necessary to drive meaningful change, whether that be through law or other development-focused disciplines." Melo said she wholeheartedly believes that her experience at the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport has left a long-lasting impression on her that continues to shape the woman she is today. "Those formative years instilled in me the faith and core values that drive who I am and what I do. For example, the value of empathy that was taught to me by a compassionate role model I had at the school and who I remember to this day was Sr. Angela. Through both her words and actions, I learned about what it meant to look at an issue from every angle, giving the other perspective the same amount of regard and consideration that one would allow oneself or one's family. I brought this lesson with me through not only my academic and professional career, but my own personal endeavors too."

Peter Cieszko rejoins CAB Board

The Academy is grateful that longtime CAB supporter and former Board member Peter Cieszko has rejoined the Board.  Cieszko was instrumental in masterminding CAB's first "Fall Dinner" fundraiser in 2011 and was a sponsor of our Annual Golf Classic for many years. He and his wife, Jennifer, are also devoted to the students they sponsor through CAB's Rising Stars program -- the oldest of which has graduated and is now a sophomore at Notre Dame Prep. When asked why he decided to rejoin the Board after a multiple-year hiatus, he said, "There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life." And indeed, he has. Cieszko brings to the Board a wealth of skills and knowledge, having over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry with a focus on the investment management sector. He is the Founder and Head of Client Solutions for Indivisible Partners and, most recently, was Managing Partner at Convergency Partners. Previously, Cieszko was the Chief Client Officer and Head of Enterprise Strategic Relationships at American Century Investments, and he also held senior roles at Fidelity Investment Institutional Services Company, Evergreen Investment Management, Citigroup Asset Management and Legg Mason. Cieszko graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was a Dean’s Advisory Council Member of the Villanova School of Business. He has served on various other Boards of Directors through the years, including Intermountain Healthcare Primary Children’s Hospital, Hope & Heroes, the Insured Retirement Institute (IRI), and Invest in Others. He and Jennifer live in New Canaan and have seven grown children.

Three generations find a second home at CAB

CAB's tagline of "Something More" is taking on a special meaning across three generations of family on our St. Ann campus. Not only is CAB veteran teacher Zunilda Furino in her 31st year with us and currently teaching 2nd grade, but her husband Derek was the school custodian for years, and all three of her children were students. Furino believes "each of them received a foundation of faith that they have carried with them into adulthood," and went on to great success after graduating from St. Ann: Jessica went on to St. Joseph High School, Johnson & Wales University and is an event planner today; Jennifer, too, went on to St. Joe's, then Sacred Heart University and is an accountant, and Derek Jr. graduated from Fairfield Prep, The Culinary Institute of America and is a chef. All three Furino children have lifelong friends they met at St. Ann, and reflected that they "acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice" their parents made to give them a strong foundation at CAB. The most recent Furino family news is that the youngest member of the family, Jessica’s son Odin, has enrolled in St. Ann's PreK program. Jessica shared that she wants her son “to grow up with the same feeling of community and the importance of good values and faith that we had growing up.” Our campuses truly are second homes to generations of successful students!

You can feel the joy on our campuses!

One school. Four campuses. Thousands of success stories.