Each year, the St. Joan Antida High School (SJA) Alumnae Association is proud to recognize one SJA alumna's outstanding contributions to her profession and/or community which support the mission of SJA.
Do you know an SJA alumna who is a distinguished leader in her field? Who serves SJA directly with her time, talent, or treasure? Who empowers girls and women through her professional work and/or community outreach? Nominations for our 2020 Alumna of the Year will open in the Spring!
2019 Alumna of the Year Deidre "DeeDee" Merritt '88:
The SJA Alumnae Association is excited to recognize Deidre "DeeDee" Merritt, '88 as the 2019 Alumna of the Year!
Merritt currently serves as the acting Director of Leadership Development at the NCAA in Indianapolis, IN. At the national level, Merritt plays a key role in fulfilling the missions of both the organization and her department, and has been instrumental in asserting her group as the prominent national leader of student-athlete development in intercollegiate athletics. Merritt's role at the NCAA allows her to fulfill her passion for serving others and providing them with transformational opportunities.
During her 15-year tenure in Milwaukee, Merritt held many positions, including Coordinator of Women's Services and Advocacy, within UW-Milwaukee's Athletic Department. She also created life-skills programming for college athletes and professional development for administrators and was involved in the local Horizon League - serving as Chair of the Horizon League Life Skills Coordinator Group and was the advisor to the Milwaukee Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as administrative liaison to the Horizon League SAAC.
Many of the programs under both her current and past oversight target the advancement of the careers of women and ethnic minorities in college athletics, a passion which fuels her work. She values the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the lives of her program attendees while remaining connected to college sports and its many change-makers
The SJA Alumnae Association is excited to recognize Ginny Finn ‘78 as the 2018 SJA Alumna of the Year. This peer-selected award recognizes the outstanding contributions of an SJA alumna to her profession and community that support the mission of St. Joan Antida High School.
An attorney of more than 20 years, Finn currently serves as the Chief Development Officer for YWCA Southeast Wisconsin. Prior to this, Finn worked as a consultant in strategic planning for nonprofit healthcare, arts and education organizations and spent nearly 10 years as Executive Director of ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. Finn is one of the most respected and highly-regarded nonprofit leaders in Milwaukee.
Throughout her career Finn has committed to helping women advance and succeed – she has been a mentor, friend and trusted resource for many women in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors throughout Milwaukee.
In her personal time, Finn serves on the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center Advisory Board and the LIFT Field Hockey Board of Directors, and still finds opportunities to help out at SJA, most recently as one of our 2018 Auction Co-chairs.
“Ginny is the perfect representative of what it means to be a graduate of St. Joan’s – humble, talented, generous, faithful, and wise,” said Sue Hickey, SJA Board Member and Finn’s fellow 2018 Auction Co-Chair.
Finn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theater and Political Science from Coe College, a Master’s degree in Theater Stage Management from Purdue University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Sister Monica Fumo, SCSJA presented Finn with the award at the 2018 Alumnae Brunch and said, “Ginny lives her life as a perfect example of what it means to truly take care of one another."
2017 Alumna of the Year Citlali Mendieta-Ramos '97:
The SJA Alumnae Association is excited to recognize Citlali Mendieta-Ramos '97 as the 2017 Alumna of the Year Award recipient. The Alumna of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of an SJA alumna to her profession and/or community which support the mission of SJA.
Citlali Mendieta-Ramos, SJA Class of 1997, along with husband Nicolas Ramos, is the owner of Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen. Mendieta-Ramos opened Antigua more than 10 years ago and has grown the restaurant to include full service offsite catering and cooking classes.
Her award nominator notes that "as an entrepreneur, Citlali is a shining example of what a Hispanic professional can look like. Her resume conveys her many professional accomplishments, but it does not convey the size of her heart and the depth of her profound commitment to our community."
