Saint Joseph’s University Names New Board of Trustees Leaders and Members

Saint Joseph’s University has welcomed new leadership and members to its Board of Trustees, effective June 1, 2026. Edgardo (Ed) A. Mercadante, BS ’79, RPh, H ’17, has been appointed chair, and Susan LaMonica, P ’20, has been appointed vice chair. Under their leadership, the Board will also welcome two new members: State Representative Gina H. Curry, BS ’94, MS ’96, and John C. Kennedy, BS ’89, who will each begin a four-year term.

“I am incredibly grateful to welcome Ed and Susan into these new leadership roles. Having worked closely with both of them, I know firsthand the deep dedication they bring to Saint Joseph’s and our shared mission. They uniquely appreciate both the advantages and opportunities of our complex, multi-location University, and I am excited to work with them to continue our progress,” says President Cheryl A. McConnell, PhD. “And in Gina and John, we welcome home two Hawks who exemplify the best of a Saint Joseph’s graduate: leaders who are not only professionally accomplished but who also remain committed to the greater good. We look forward to their return to Saint Joseph’s and all that we will build together as a Board.”

Mercadante and LaMonica succeed longtime Chair James M. Norris, BS ’85, and Vice Chair John D. Zook, BS ’71, who have served in their roles since 2015 and 2020, respectively. 

“Jim and John have been extraordinary partners to our University during their leadership tenure, and Saint Joseph’s is immeasurably stronger for their years of dedicated service,” says Dr. McConnell. “Their leadership through periods of tremendous growth and change have laid a strong foundation for our institution. On behalf of our entire community, I am deeply grateful for their service, their counsel, and their enduring commitment to our Hawks.”

Edgardo (Ed) A. Mercadante, BS ’79, RPh, H ’17, is a healthcare entrepreneur, investor and board leader with over three dec

ades of experience driving innovation in digital health, telehealth, behavioral health and pharmacy services. He is the founder, board member, and former CEO and chairman of MTCcare (formerly MediTelecare), a dynamic telehealth/telemedicine company delivering behavioral healthcare to patients in long-term care facilities and senior communities. As the company’s founder, Mercadante led the development of one of the nation’s leading tele-behavioral health platforms, providing specialized mental health services to thousands of patients nationwide.

Prior to MediTelecare, Mercadante served as the CEO of MedOptions, the national leader in behavioral care to the long-term care industry, and was co-founder of and investor in PursueCare, a nationally recognized digital health and pharmacy platform that integrates telehealth, behavioral care and medication management for individuals recovering from substance use disorder. He is also independently involved in pharmacy and other health-related businesses.

Mercadante received his Bachelor of Pharmacy from University of the Sciences and an honorary degree from the institution in 2017. He is a registered pharmacist in numerous states.

Susan LaMonica, P ’20, is chief human resources officer at Citizens Financial Group and a member of the bank’s executive committee. In her role, she oversees a team of human resources professionals responsible for organizational development and culture, leadership and talent development, learning, inclusion, compensation and benefits, and human resource operations. She is also responsible for corporate communications and corporate affairs. LaMonica played a critical role in the successful separation of Citizens from the Royal Bank of Scotland in the largest commercial bank IPO in U.S. history and has since facilitated several acquisitions as part of Citizens’ growth. 

Prior to joining Citizens, she held leadership roles at JP Morgan Chase, including head of human resources for the investment banking and markets division globally, as well as for the consumer and commercial banking division; and global head of development for the bank. Before moving into human resources, she began her career with Chase Manhattan Bank, holding roles in operations, risk and retail banking.

LaMonica serves on the boards of directors for Year Up United and ProSight, and is president of the board for Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children. She is also a member of the Council for Women of Boston College.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Boston College and an MBA in finance from New York University.

Elected in 2021, State Representative Gina H. Curry, BS ’94, MS ’96, represents Pennsylvania’s 164th Legislative District and brings over two decades of experience as an educator and youth advocate to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 

A champion of social justice, educational equity, and safe and affordable housing, Curry holds active roles on the Appropriations, Education, Children and Youth, Transportation, and Communication and Technology Committees. She is also a member of several caucuses including the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, PA Legislative Latino Caucus, PA Women’s Health Caucus, Housing Caucus and the PA Safe Caucus. 

Before entering the legislature, Curry served as vice president of the Upper Darby School Board, worked as a diversity, equity and inclusion/racial equity consultant, and founded Coach Your Vision LLC, a small business focused on empowerment and equity training. Her professional background also includes work in behavioral health as a clinical supervisor, behavioral specialist, and therapeutic consultant to children and families. 

Curry is the co-founder of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus, where she leads efforts to address disparities in maternal health and advocates for legislation like the MOMNIBUS to improve outcomes for Black women and birthing people across Pennsylvania. 

She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice with a concentration in sociology from Saint Joseph’s.

John C. Kennedy, BS ’89, is executive vice president of Lincoln Financial and chief distribution and brand officer. In this role, he has oversight of Lincoln’s industry-leading wholesale franchise, Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc. (LFD), focused on retirement solutions, life and executive benefits, moneyguard and investment solutions, as well as Lincoln's agency distribution channel serving independent producers and financial professionals.

He also leads Lincoln’s brand organization with oversight of marketing, advertising and sponsorship, including Lincoln's partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles Organization and Cobbs Creek Foundation. Additionally, he is a member of the company’s Senior Management Committee. 

Previously, Kennedy served as senior vice president and head of Retirement Solutions Distribution for LFD, where he led the relationship management organization. Prior to joining Lincoln Financial, he held leadership roles at MetLife Investors, AXA Distributors and PLANCO, a financial services subsidiary of The Hartford. 

Kennedy serves on the board of the Insured Retirement Institute, a leading association that advances retirement security through advocacy, research, awareness and the development of digital solutions. He also serves on the board of Pop Warner, the nation’s leading nonprofit youth football, cheerleading and dance organization, helping expand access to team sports and youth development opportunities nationwide. 

He received his bachelor’s degree in food marketing from Saint Joseph’s.