Saint Joseph’s Invests in Emerging Leaders to Drive Innovation

In fall 2024, Saint Joseph’s University launched a new professional development initiative to cultivate leadership from within the organization. Nineteen staff members — representing the University’s three locations in Philadelphia, University City and Lancaster — were selected to participate in the inaugural Self-Aware Leader (SAL) program. 

Based on the framework of “The Self-Aware Leader: A Proven Model for Reinventing Yourself,” authored by Dan Gallagher, BS ’94, MS ’99, the program guided participants in expanding their leadership mindset through building strong relationships, sharpening critical-thinking skills and adopting a general manager’s approach to challenges.

Throughout the eight-month program, participants explored concepts such as their “Generosity Quotient™,” defined as one’s ability, capacity and willingness to give in a way that grows trust, collaboration and productivity. Leaders were also encouraged to slow down in order to speed up, creating space for strategic thinking, reflection and long-term impact.

With their new skills in place, participants were divided into four teams, paired with University coaches and charged with advancing high-impact projects focused on summer revenue generation, sustainability and community engagement.

“The SAL experience created space for leaders to increase their self-awareness and grow how they create value,” says Dan Gallagher, BS ’94, MS ’99. “Individuals could then apply these reinventions in their current roles as well as the four actionable solutions the project teams delivered.”

Final recommendations were presented to University leadership, including President Cheryl A. McConnell, PhD, in May 2025. Each team also submitted a detailed succession plan to guide next steps and long-term execution.

The University will launch a second SAL cohort in fall 2025, reaffirming its commitment to growing the leadership capacity of its staff and advancing a culture of innovation.

Project Teams and Coaches

Team 1: Habitat for Humanity

Explored how Saint Joseph’s can partner with Habitat for Humanity, in collaboration with Corinne O’Connell, BA ’87, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.

• Team Members: Bill MacKenzie, BS ’10, MBA ’12, PMP, Jessica Moran-Buckridge, EdD, Regina Roth, Tricia Purcell, Elizabeth Wysocki, JD
• Coaches/Sponsors: Jill Welsh, MSW, Ross Radish, JD

Team 2: Reimagining the Campus Bookstore

Proposed solutions to reimagine the campus bookstore, including the formation of an advisory group, the adoption of a First Day Complete program (FDC) to ensure students receive course materials on day one, and a refreshed digital campaign.

• Team Members: Chontel Delaney, Jack Jumper, MA ’09, Paras Bhagat, Sally Murphy, MBA ’22
• Coaches/Sponsors: Jill Cleary, BS ’00, EdD ’23, Lauren Adams

Team 3: Summer Revenue Strategy

Identified new summer revenue opportunities through the development of a centralized programming webpage, an interest form for athletic and academic camps, and expanded data collection to assess community demand and inform future offerings.

• Team Members: Claire Young, MBA ’24, Daniel Berardi, Kevin Mueller, Tamara Conan, Tara Stevens, MS ’26
• Coaches/Sponsors: Jill Bodensteiner, JD, Eric Laudano, DAT

Team 4: Cobbs Creek Foundation — TGR Learning Lab Partnership

Established a communication channel with the Cobbs Creek Foundation, TGR Foundation and the newly opened TGR Learning Lab, outlining potential partnership opportunities that benefit both the local community and Saint Joseph’s students. 

• Team Members: Ashton Fiucci, Cassandra Henderson, EdD, Kathryn Beaumont Murphy, JD, Kevin Gfeller, BS ’20, Madalina Veres, PhD
• Coaches/Sponsors: Jean McGivney-Burelle, PhD, Aimee Terosky, EdD