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MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship
The MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship is a transformational experience for women who are passionate about advancing Mercy and Justice. This international leadership program is fully funded, and unique in the ways it provides opportunities for Fellows to establish strong links and networking across the Mercy World through international encounters, webinars and modules, mentorship and other activities. The Fellowship program has been designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking, promote collaborative leadership and inspire personal reflection leading to a compassionate and communal response to current concerns of our world.
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What is the MIA-MGA Fellowship (MELF)?
At the heart of our Mercy charism is the education, empowerment, and encouragement of women. The contribution of younger women to the Mercy Global Action Office is both a gift and an opportunity, providing mutual benefits to the women and also to the advancement of our work at MGA. The Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowshop seeks to build upon the capacities of women and provide effective tools to be agents of change in their own communities and in the greater society. The fellowship consists of six components: 1. Three International Engagements and Encounters: Siem Reap, Cambodia; New York, USA; Dublin, Ireland 2. Individual Research Project 3. Reading Modules 4. Mentorship Program 5. Grassroots Ministry Justice Engagement 6. Webinars and Online Engagement
Key Documents
Background to the Fellowship
Program Components
Program Objectives
What Program Graduates are Saying
MELF Impact Report
Meet the 2023-2024 Fellows
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Yonette Alexis Stephens (Guyana)
Yonette Alexis Stephens is an Independent Communication Consultant living in Guyana. At the heart of her professional and voluntary work is her passion for social equality, justice and storytelling.
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Sarah Dwan (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Sarah Dwan lives in Auckland New Zealand. She is currently Principal at St. Mary’s College, a Catholic college for 1000 girls in central Auckland. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1850, today, the vision of the college is “21st Century Women of Mercy”.
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Dinah Mwendwa (Kenya)
Dinah Mwendwa lives in Nairobi, Kenya. Her background is in finance and accounting with experience of clear financial reporting coupled with proper accountability. She currently works in an organization of the Sisters of Mercy Kenya called Mukuru Promotion Centre.
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Maria Pearson (Argentina)
María Pearson lives in Cordoba, Argentina and is a social worker, specializing in NGO direction and management. She highly values her Mercy education she was given in Argentina.
Read More)
Virgencita Alegado rsm (Philippines)
Virgencita Alegado rsm is from Mindanao, Philippines and is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She is currently serving as the School Head of Holy Cross High School, a Diocesan school which has been managed by the Sisters of Mercy since 1960. At the same time, she is one of fourteen Institute Ministers of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
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Jo Thompson (United Kingdom)
Jo Thompson was born and raised in the North East of England. She is currently Head of Advocacy and Relationships for a London based NGO women@thewell which provides a uniquely holistic, multifaceted range of services to women who are involved with prostitution and the wider sex trade.
Read More)
Cynthia Mulholland (Australia)
Cynthia Mulholland lives in the Hunter Valley in Australia. She is currently working in communications for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). She has a background in communications and community development and is passionate about finding solutions to, and raising awareness of, injustice.
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Andrea Haller (United States)
Andrea Haller is from the United States of America. In her current role as Community Coordinator with Mercy Volunteer Corps (MVC), a ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Andrea supports volunteers compassionately serving the United States and Guyana.
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Hilda Cruz (United States)
Hilda Cruz lives in the United States of America. She is the Regional Program Director with the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, which seeks inclusion and equity for all immigrants. She wears her Latino culture’s resilience, stories, prayers, songs, music, and beauty daily.
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Yonette Alexis Stephens (Guyana)
Yonette Alexis Stephens is an Independent Communication Consultant living in Guyana. At the heart of her professional and voluntary work is her passion for social equality, justice and storytelling.
In the past 15 years, she has provided strategic communication services to several organisations in Guyana and is a seasoned lecturer at the University of Guyana.
Alexis began working on the Critical Concern of racism in 2010, first, as a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Americas Anti-racism Training Team, and now, as a member of Mercy CCASA’s Anti-racism Commission. She has spent the last 13 years developing training content and facilitating anti-racism workshops in several countries including Panama, Argentina, Guyana and Peru.
She is delighted to be selected as a MELF Fellow and looks forward to a transformative and enriching experience with her cohort.
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Sarah Dwan (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Sarah Dwan lives in Auckland New Zealand. She is currently Principal at St. Mary’s College, a Catholic college for 1000 girls in central Auckland. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1850, today, the vision of the college is “21st Century Women of Mercy”.
Sarah’s interest in Mercy stems from her own education within Mercy schools and the encouragement of many leaders that she encountered and worked with in this space. She is interested in how the values and ethos of Mercy can continue to be carried into the future. Sarah has worked in a variety of schools and educational organisations both in the Catholic and state sector.
In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Sarah hopes to gain connections with other Mercy leaders from throughout the world. She hopes that the program will not only benefit herself, but also those with whom she works, including students.
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Dinah Mwendwa (Kenya)
Dinah Mwendwa lives in Nairobi, Kenya. Her background is in finance and accounting with experience of clear financial reporting coupled with proper accountability. She currently works in an organization of the Sisters of Mercy Kenya called Mukuru Promotion Centre. Through her work, she has gained experience in serving the most vulnerable of the community and seeks to empower others about their rights and oversee large projects that are geared towards service delivery and improving the standard of living of the poor.
Her interest in Mercy originates from her encounters with those rendered poor in the slums and the refugees from Great Lakes region. She is also passionate and enthusiastic about human rights and development of the society through transformational leadership.
In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, she hopes to develop skills for advocacy to approach social injustice issues fearlessly.
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Maria Pearson (Argentina)
María Pearson lives in Cordoba, Argentina and is a social worker, specializing in NGO direction and management. She highly values her Mercy education she was given in Argentina.
Since 2017, she works as the Vice-Director of Por los Jóvenes – Don Bosco, a Salesian NGO in Argentina focused on fundraising for social and educational projects in vulnerable communities.
From both a local and national scope, she has more than 15 years of experience in the implementation of projects for the protection of children and youth. She has also participated in the United Nations High Level Political Forum with a focus on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
María is convinced that poverty eradication is a decision and is a strong believer that education and decent work are the way to achieve it.
Through MELF, she hopes to deepen her professional growth in order to contribute to the eradication of poverty.
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Virgencita Alegado rsm (Philippines)
Virgencita Alegado rsm is from Mindanao, Philippines and is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She is currently serving as the School Head of Holy Cross High School, a Diocesan school which has been managed by the Sisters of Mercy since 1960. At the same time, she is one of fourteen Institute Ministers of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.
Virgencita is most passionate about the care for Earth, as well as working towards peace and justice. She advocates these issues both in school and her community. Her advocacy stems from her own experience of living in the Philippines which has been hit with strong typhoons, drought, and other effects of climate change. She stresses that degradation of earth sows disorder, which is the absence of peace and injustice.
She hopes that through the MELF Program, she will be able to strengthen and share her advocacy skills. With the collective capabilities of the women, they will be able to empower others in the greater Mercy World.
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Jo Thompson (United Kingdom)
Jo Thompson was born and raised in the North East of England. She is currently Head of Advocacy and Relationships for a London based NGO women@thewell which provides a uniquely holistic, multifaceted range of services to women who are involved with prostitution and the wider sex trade. It was built on ten years of experience of its founder Lynda Dearlove rsm. The Sisters of Mercy have a history grounded in working with and for women in difficult and challenging situations.
In her role, Jo is responsible for policy, communications, fundraising, HR and training programs, amplification of all communication strands, marketing and all projects relating to exiting prostitution.
Through the Mercy Global Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Jo hopes to experience new cultures and networks, whilst growing her leadership skills. Her ultimate aim is to strengthen her skills to better equip her to work towards the abolition of prostitution.
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Cynthia Mulholland (Australia)
Cynthia Mulholland lives in the Hunter Valley in Australia. She is currently working in communications for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). She has a background in communications and community development and is passionate about finding solutions to, and raising awareness of, injustice.
Cynthia’s Mercy journey started in 2015 when she was appointed as the Manager for Sacred Spaces Singleton, a ministry of ISMAPNG based at the Singleton Convent. Cynthia is an active member of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) and looks forward to continuing to develop her skills in advocacy and raising awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery.
Cynthia is looking forward to further exploring Mercy spirituality and how it relates to justice and caring for people who are vulnerable and marginalised.
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Andrea Haller (United States)
Andrea Haller is from the United States of America. In her current role as Community Coordinator with Mercy Volunteer Corps (MVC), a ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Andrea supports volunteers compassionately serving the United States and Guyana. Having served with MVC in Guyana as a Special Education Teacher, it is her joy to accompany Mercy Volunteers through their development as advocates for justice and agents for change.
Andrea is passionate about anti-racism work and examining the intersection of white dominance with all injustices. She has participated in a variety of intercultural and interfaith conversations and action groups through Mercy and within her local community to dismantle implicit bias and unjust systems of oppression.
Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Andrea hopes to learn, in collaboration with Mercy women leaders current and emerging, to combine her passions and skills to effectively advocate for change that places, at the center, the dignity of all beings and earth.
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Hilda Cruz (United States)
Hilda Cruz lives in the United States of America. She is the Regional Program Director with the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, which seeks inclusion and equity for all immigrants. She wears her Latino culture’s resilience, stories, prayers, songs, music, and beauty daily. Hilda’s interest in Mercy stems from her experience as a first-generation immigrant working to undo systems of exclusion and oppression.
She is a Catholic woman who has been recognized as a “Change Maker” and “Transforming Leader.” Her most significant achievement is holding public, multi-faith prayer services centered on stories of impacted persons that move communities to take action.
As a Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellow, she hopes to connect with other women globally and bring light to the many factors of the displacement of people while seeking a collective vision and calls to action guided by the spirituality of justice and Mercy.
Can I Apply to be a Mercy Emerging Leader Fellow?
Applications for Cohort 4 will open in November 2023! Please keep an eye on our news updates and instagram for the announcement. If you’d like to learn about the process, please take a look at the brochure.
Meet the 2022-2023 Fellows
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Stellah Wamaitha Mathe (Kenya)
Stellah lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently working at Mukuru Promotion Centre, situated in an urban slum in Nairobi, Kenya as a Donor Relations Officer. She has a background in International Relations and a Bachelor in Diplomacy.
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Rebecca Rathbone (Canada)
Rebecca was born and raised in Hamilton, Canada. She is currently the Southwestern Ontario Animator for Development & Peace – Caritas Canada, which is the official Humanitarian Aid and International Development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada.
Read More)
Paula Anamani rsm (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Paula works as a Social Practitioner in Counselling and also as a Children & Family Social Worker for ‘Blind and Low Vision’ of New Zealand. This role has exposed her to journey alongside women who have had loss of vision as a result of domestic violence.
Read More)
Sarah Brown (United States)
Sarah lives in the United States of America. She currently serves as the Office Manager of the Mercy Administration Center in Belmont, North Carolina for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central.
Read More)
Gaby Kinsman (Australia)
Gaby lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She is currently working as the Coordinator of ‘Young Mercy Links SA’ a post-schooling formation initiative of ISMAPNG. She also works in Marketing and Communications for St Aloysius College, Adelaide.
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Magdalene Musau (Kenya)
Magdalene Musau lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Kenyan Province. She is currently working part time with the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya as a lecturer and a counsellor.
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Derby B. Mercado rsm (Philippines)
Derby is a member of Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas from the Philippines. Currently she is working as the Finance Officer and Registrar at the School of Saint John the Baptist.
Read More)
Dominique Marendy (Australia)
Dominique lives in Sydney, Australia. She is currently working in an Animal Health company called 'Elanco'. Through both her career and vocations she has developed a strong passion for positive social change as well as empowering others to find meaningful ways to contribute.
Read More)
Michelle Gorman rsm (United States)
Michelle Gorman, RSM lives in the United States. She is currently an Institute Minister in the administration of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a chaplain at the California State Senate.
Read More)
Stellah Wamaitha Mathe (Kenya)
Stellah lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently working at Mukuru Promotion Centre, situated in an urban slum in Nairobi, Kenya as a Donor Relations Officer. She has a background in International Relations and a Bachelor in Diplomacy. Having grown up in a third world country, she developed an early interest in human relations. She endeavors to build on people’s strengths and hopes for them to live a complete and fulfilled life. One of Stellah's greatest achievements is her continued advocacy for sustainable development. Her interest in Mercy stems from her experience of working with poor slum communities at the heart of Nairobi city in Kenya. She has a great interest in ensuring that the poor homeless children of Nairobi have access to education where they can enrich their talents. She is passionate about achieving skills that stimulate creative and critical thinking, collaborative leadership and personal reflection. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Stellah hopes to be enriched with the right combination of skills and experience to bring strong analytical and problem-solving methods to those she works within mercy and justice.
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Rebecca Rathbone (Canada)
Rebecca was born and raised in Hamilton, Canada. She is currently the Southwestern Ontario Animator for Development & Peace – Caritas Canada, which is the official Humanitarian Aid and International Development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. From 2016-2018 she animated Development & Peace programs in Atlantic Canada, where she had the great pleasure of working with the Mercy Sisters in Newfoundland & Labrador. In 2019 she worked in Vatican City for Caritas Internationalis, to help to develop and coordinate a global youth program for the Caritas confederation and its 160+ member organizations. She now sits on the Caritas Youth Forum working group and represents Canada on the global working group of the Global Catholic Climate Movement’s youth wing, Laudato Si Generation. She holds a Masters of Global Affairs degree from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Rebecca is passionate about working for social and ecological justice, and empowering other youth and women to do the same. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Rebecca hopes to grow in her faith and develop positive leadership skills, and looks forward to meeting and being inspired by the other women in the program.
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Paula Anamani rsm (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Paula works as a Social Practitioner in Counselling and also as a Children & Family Social Worker for ‘Blind and Low Vision’ of New Zealand. This role has exposed her to journey alongside women who have had loss of vision as a result of domestic violence. Empowering women and ensuring that their voices are heard are the driving factors that motivate her to be part of a collective and assertive voice for the vulnerable in our society. Paula’s work has also lead her to work alongside refugees who have lost their vision due to war and conflict in their countries. As a result, she has been compelled to represent and be an advocate for people who have been displaced and seek refuge. Paula has an awareness of all that surrounds her and that which affects our environment especially climate change and its effect on Pacific island nations. She feels it is a duty to ourselves and to our children to be responsible and of service not only to each other but also to our Common Home. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship Paula hopes to gain global connections with other Mercy Leaders, building relationships and supporting others from afar with their new ideas. She hopes that this program will not only benefit herself but also those with whom she works. This will provide new opportunities to connect with others who are passionate to make a difference in our world. She calls on the Maori quote “With your basket and my basket the people will thrive.”
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Sarah Brown (United States)
Sarah lives in the United States of America. She currently serves as the Office Manager of the Mercy Administration Center in Belmont, North Carolina for the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central. Her varied background includes national security, international government relations, consulting, leadership, and policymaking. She is passionate about holistic ecology and its link with social justice. The Sisters’ Critical Concerns drew her into the organization, expanded her awareness, and spurred her to learn and explore options to act. Through the transformative journey of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Sarah hopes to discover her unique, impactful role for focused action toward change, develop the knowledge and skills to move into that place of leadership, and to support women along the way.
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Gaby Kinsman (Australia)
Gaby lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She is currently working as the Coordinator of ‘Young Mercy Links SA’ a post-schooling formation initiative of ISMAPNG. She also works in Marketing and Communications for St Aloysius College, Adelaide. She has a Bachelor of Media and has an interest in the storytelling and communication of justice issues. Gaby is extremely passionate about the displacement of persons and in particular young refugees and asylum seekers who do not have access to higher education or work. Under Gaby’s leadership, the Young Mercy Links movement has grown from five to thirty members in two years and she has led two immersions to Cambodia during this time. Her commitment to Mercy was instilled during her high school years at St Aloysius College, Adelaide and Gaby describes her involvement with the Mercy network as one of the most life giving experiences so far. Gaby is inspired to encourage other young people to know Mercy and strive for justice in our world. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, she sees abundant opportunity for further reflection and action on the role that Mercy plays in our response to the signs of our times, and the significant part that young people play in animating this.
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Magdalene Musau (Kenya)
Magdalene Musau lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Kenyan Province. She is currently working part time with the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya as a lecturer and a counsellor. She also offers psychological support to individuals and groups. Her background is in teaching. She is passionate about process work whether with individuals or groups. She is currently working with Mercy Secondary Schools to help students process their life experiences through the title of her book ‘The Change You Want is Within You’. Her fulfilment comes from seeing people get relief and be able to hope and continue with life. As a sister of Mercy, this is at the core of the Mercy Charism. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Magdalene hopes to enhance her awareness and skills for advocacy for the girl child while exploring ways of deepening her Mercy Spirituality and sense of justice.
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Derby B. Mercado rsm (Philippines)
Derby is a member of Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas from the Philippines. Currently she is working as the Finance Officer and Registrar at the School of Saint John the Baptist. She is also involved in the Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), a well-established organization of Professed Sisters of different Congregations. Derby is the link person for SAMIN over 6 Dioceses and is a member of its Board of Trustees. An achievement that she is proud of is her work with the Indigenous People of Mindano, where she was able to help them organize their cooperative to have a sustainable livelihood. She advocates in the area of ecology and has a great interest in Mercy and Justice, especially in Environmental issues including, environmental protection, climate change and Women’s issues. Derby is also passionate in advocating for women who are trafficked, particularly those in the Philippines. Through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship Derby hopes to develop skills that could lead to creativity and clarity in her ministry. She is excited to learn new things in this program and also open to share whatever she can for others in the program.
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Dominique Marendy (Australia)
Dominique lives in Sydney, Australia. She is currently working in an Animal Health company called 'Elanco'. Through both her career and vocations she has developed a strong passion for positive social change as well as empowering others to find meaningful ways to contribute. One of Dominique's greatest achievements was receiving an award for her commitment to advocate for children with disabilities. Following attendance of a Mercy School in Sydney, Dominique has maintained a connection with the Mercy International Association through her continued involvement in social justice initiatives of the local Mercy Action Group Network and Mercy Global Presence. She has a great interest in developing as a researcher in order to tackle issues surrounding Global Food Security. In undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Dominique hopes to develop skills for advocacy with displaced peoples and on a personal level, she is keen to further explore the Mercy values that she feels form an integral part of her identity.
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Michelle Gorman rsm (United States)
Michelle Gorman, rsm lives in the United States of America. She is currently an Institute Minister in the administration of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a chaplain at the California State Senate. She has a background in education as a secondary school teacher. As a teenager in Ireland, one of her greatest “achievements” was the discovery of a little book on Catherine McAuley, which led her to enter the Sisters of Mercy in Auburn, California. She is passionate about mercy and justice- God’s mercy, which “remains faithful from age to age (o aois go h-aois)” and God’s justice, which acknowledges and promotes the inherent dignity of all persons and all life. Michelle hopes to integrate her love of poetry into her current concerns for the future sustainability of life on earth, for so many suffering people as well as the planet itself. “Poetry can contribute to social justice when it moves others’ hearts, wakes people up….and kindles the embers of hope.” (Jean Stokan) Michelle envisions this program as a weaving together of many global threads into a new Mercy tapestry, alluring our world into a greater Mercy presence to one another.
Cohort 2 Fellows (2022-2023) presented their final research projects on July 13th 2023. These projects covered topics such as non-violence, mental health responses, sustainable agriculture and food production, nutrition programs for children in need, and environmental conservation.
Meet the 2019-2021 Fellows
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Carmen Rosa Ccallomamani rsm (Peru)
Carmen Rosa is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and was born in a farming community in Puno, Peru, where she acquired her first language Aymara.
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Theresia Tina rsm (Papua New Guinea)
Theresia is from Mt Hagen in Papua New Guinea and is a Sister of Mercy from the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG).
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Jemima Welsh (Australia)
Jemima lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently working in the fields of impact investing, social enterprise development and philanthropy, with a focus on growing the for-purpose business sector within QLD.
Read More)
Tylia Barnes (United States)
Tylia lives in the United States of America. She currently leads more than 700 associates for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central Community, as director of Association.
Read More)
Amy Keller (United States)
Amy lives in the United States of America. She works with a nonprofit organization called ‘Girls Incorporated of Omaha’ which strives to ensure all girls recognize their inherent dignity and value.
Read More)
Siobhán Golden (Ireland)
Siobhán is from Westport, Ireland. She graduated with honors from the University of Limerick in 2018 with degrees in Psychology and Spanish.
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Anneke Kat (United States of America)
Anneke is an American and Dutch Citizen raised in Philadelphia, USA. She is a community development practitioner with academic and applied experience working with refugees, women, and youth on issues of education and economic empowerment in the United States and Sub Saharan Africa.
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Anastasia Freeman (Australia)
Anastasia is an artist, educator and writer living in Bathurst, NSW, Australia. She currently works at Rahamim Ecology Centre (A ministry of the Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea) as their online educator and is responsible for delivering workshops and online education.
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Julia Morisi (United States)
Julia lives in the United States of America. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies and a certificate in Religion and Conflict Transformation at Boston University.
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Edith Maclaren (Papua New Guinea)
Edith lives in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. She holds a Diploma in Accounting and is currently working as a marketing coordinator for the Government Department of Sport.
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Carmen Rosa Ccallomamani rsm (Peru)
Carmen Rosa is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas and was born in a farming community in Puno, Peru, where she acquired her first language Aymara. Although fluent in her native language, she felt a great disadvantage when starting school as Spanish was the only language spoken. From this painful experience, her vocation as an educator was born. Carmen firmly believes that education, both formal and informal, is the key to system change. She is currently General Coordinator for the ‘Project of Vulnerable children’. Carmen is also an active member of “Red Kawsay”, a national and international network of various religious communities engaged in human trafficking prevention and care of survivors. Carmen is also a member of a border team who accompany and orient migrants at the Peru-Bolivia border town of Desaguadero. She provides space for listening and counseling to many young adults and adolescents and is a facilitator of the program ‘Alternatives to Violence’. Carmen’s greatest passion is to promote the dignity of the person, especially of women and children. Download her research presentation here.
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Theresia Tina rsm (Papua New Guinea)
Theresia is from Mt Hagen in Papua New Guinea and is a Sister of Mercy from the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG). She began her career as a primary educator and through teaching in some remote parts of Papua New Guinea, she discovered more about the injustice of society at all levels. Theresia is committed to community development through faith based organisations that promote human rights, social justice, self-reliance, and capacity building. She has promoted these values in a variety of community and leadership roles within the Sisters of Mercy. Firstly, in her leadership role within the Sisters of Mercy of the Autonomous Region of Papua New Guinea and then within the newly formed Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Theresia is passionate about social justice issues that affect both the poor and our environment. She is disturbed when seeing women, girls and children suffering from lack of basic needs, including food, water and shelter. She questions corrupt systems at every level that affect human dignity. Theresia hopes that the Fellowship will enable women to collectively develop strategies and ideas to work on issues both in local places and at the global level. Download her research presentation here.
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Jemima Welsh (Australia)
Jemima lives in Brisbane, Australia. She is currently working in the fields of impact investing, social enterprise development and philanthropy, with a focus on growing the for-purpose business sector within QLD. She has a background in international relations and studied a Masters of Philosophy and Public Policy in London. She is passionate about creating pathways out of disadvantage and inequity that are rooted in individual and community agency. Jemima is proud of the role she has been able to play in supporting organisations who address this disadvantage. Jemima’s interest in Mercy stems from her time at All Hallows’ School in Brisbane, where she saw how the principles could transcend political differences and be a guiding force for women’s holistic development. She is particularly interested in how the Mercy spirit can be interwoven with current economic development movements around the world to empower women and their families. She is looking forward to undertaking the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, where she hopes to ‘regather’ a deeper spiritual engagement and connect with a group of like-minded Mercy women to explore how collaborative action can advance social justice. Download her research project here.
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Tylia Barnes (United States)
Tylia lives in the United States of America. She currently leads more than 700 associates for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central Community, as director of Association. She is also a Mercy Associate living out a lifetime commitment of prayer, community and service where she stands in solidarity with marginalized peoples. One of Tylia’s greatest achievements was having an article published in America Magazine entitled “Among Mercies: My grandmother, Catherine McAuley and me.” She is well versed in issues of anti-racism and diversity and is a member of the Anti-Racism Transformation Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. As an experienced facilitator, she leads workshops that focus on institutional racism and privilege. On her Mercy journey she uses every opportunity to challenge colleagues, friends and acquaintances to always stand with and for those whom we are called to serve through advocacy and social justice initiatives. Tylia hopes that the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship will further promulgate a culture rooted in faith that empowers leaders to respond to the needs of our suffering world through a lens of Mercy and justice. Download her research project here.
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Amy Keller (United States)
Amy lives in the United States of America. She works with a nonprofit organization called ‘Girls Incorporated of Omaha’ which strives to ensure all girls recognize their inherent dignity and value. Her background is also heavily invested in theatre, where she has worked with youth to write plays about their community concerns. One of Amy’s achievements includes the time she spent in Detroit with the Mercy Volunteer Corps. During her years in Detroit, she developed lasting relationships with Mercy Volunteers, Sisters, Associates, and Companions that deeply impacted her life and brought her to a greater heart of Mercy. She appreciates that every person she knows in Mercy, feels compelled to address injustices they see in the world and take action to change it. Amy is passionate about working to ensure that women feel empowered to speak up when facing issues of abuse and control. As part of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Amy hopes to gain more insights and ways to address the growing problems of human trafficking. She plans to contribute by sharing her experiences and resources with the other fellows, as well as to the greater Mercy community. Download her research project here.
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Siobhán Golden (Ireland)
Siobhán is from Westport, Ireland. She graduated with honors from the University of Limerick in 2018 with degrees in Psychology and Spanish. She currently lives in Barcelona where she works as a supervisor of a restaurant while also undertaking volunteer projects. Volunteer work has always been a huge part of her life and she was awarded a President's Volunteer Award by the University of Limerick for her commitment to volunteering. Siobhán has a desire to learn how to advocate for issues of global justice. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work in Argentina, where she was exposed to issues of social justice and human rights violations. She identifies with Mercy values and shares their vision of hope to eliminate poverty and tackle climate change. In undertaking Mercy Global Action's Emerging Leaders Fellowship, Siobhán hopes to develop a strong network with Mercy Global Action and expand her leadership skills so that someday she will advance in a long-term career in advocacy for Human Rights and Global Justice. Download her research project here.
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Anneke Kat (United States of America)
Anneke is an American and Dutch Citizen raised in Philadelphia, USA. She is a community development practitioner with academic and applied experience working with refugees, women, and youth on issues of education and economic empowerment in the United States and Sub Saharan Africa. She currently holds the position of Youth and Community Program Manager at Interfaith Philadelphia, working to bring grassroots interfaith learning and community collaboration to the diverse Philadelphia region. Her initial interest in mercy and justice was cultivated through her Jewish upbringing and opportunities to provide social services to, and document the stories of refugees resettling in Worcester, MA and Philadelphia, PA. She is most proud of co-creating an interfaith and inter-generational program for women focused on social justice, gender and spirituality which has nurtured over 200 program participants. This is where she engages with many Sisters of Mercy and has been profoundly impacted by their strength and commitment to justice and service. Through this fellowship, Anneke hopes to infuse her current community-rooted work with more global perspectives and widen her understanding of international policies affecting migrants and refugees. Download her research project here.
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Anastasia Freeman (Australia)
Anastasia is an artist, educator and writer living in Bathurst, NSW, Australia. She currently works at Rahamim Ecology Centre (A ministry of the Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea) as their online educator and is responsible for delivering workshops and online education. She produces the Thresholds podcast and manages online networks for sustainability, spiritual ecology and environmental education. Her background is in secondary creative arts education and she has worked throughout NSW and in Cambodia as a teacher. As well as being passionate about the transformative process of education and creative practices, Ana is a volunteer wildlife rescuer and carer and is currently the fundraising coordinator for WIRES in the Central West of NSW. She has great interest in ways individuals and organisations can heal landscapes and habitats through living/working simply and mindfully which has led her to study permaculture. She is now attempting to grow her own food and learn more about plants, ecosystems and gardening. Through the Fellowship, Ana hopes to collaborate with other Mercy women on social justice projects that take into consideration the effects of climate change and Earth as a living system that requires healing and protection. Download her research presentation here.
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Julia Morisi (United States)
Julia lives in the United States of America. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Theological Studies and a certificate in Religion and Conflict Transformation at Boston University. Julia’s involvement with the Sisters of Mercy began at Salve Regina University, where she earned a B.A. in Religious and Theological Studies and English Literature. After graduating from Salve Regina, she spent a year teaching in Baltimore, Maryland through Mercy Volunteer Corps. A high point of this experience was implementing a social justice discussion series for adults at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Baltimore. During this series, Julia planned and facilitated weekly discussions on social justice topics ranging from local issues in Baltimore to national concerns. She invited speakers each week, and even led several of the talks herself, including a discussion on the importance of women’s leadership in the Catholic Church. Through the Fellowship, Julia hopes to learn more about the ways in which religion contributes to conflict and peacebuilding in major global issues, such as Mercy International Associations’ focus on the displacement of peoples. Download her research project here.
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Edith Maclaren (Papua New Guinea)
Edith lives in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. She holds a Diploma in Accounting and is currently working as a marketing coordinator for the Government Department of Sport. Edith has extensive volunteer experience including working with the blind, preventing HIV/AIDS in young adults, and providing administration assistance within a Mercy School. Edith has been an active leader and participant in numerous church activities in Papua New Guinea. Her involvement with the Sisters of Mercy began as a child and for the past 12 years she has worked in a group called the ‘Mercy Girls’ to encourage little works of Mercy in her own community. Edith believes in breaking down gender-based obstacles that prevent women from accessing their basic human rights including, their right to education and their right to be free from violence. Edith hopes that through the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship she will be able to enhance her professional networks, grow her leadership skills, and have the opportunity to experience and learn from other Mercy women.
Cohort 1 Fellows (2019-2021) presented their final research projects on 16-18 January 2021. These projects covered a range of Mercy justice issues, including homelessness, anti-racism, climate change, the effects of COVID-19 and money as mercy.
The MELF Leadership Generating Project
In 2022, Mercy Global Action launched the Leadership Generating Project. The purpose of this project is to build and secure the long-term sustainability of the MELF Program and to promote the value of women’s leadership, education and empowerment in advocacy at the United Nations and through communication and collaboration with others across the Mercy World. A key part of this project has been the development of a MELF Impact Report, which examines the structure, experience and early impact of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship. To find out more about this project, and how you can contribute to the ongoing sustainability of the MELF Program, please reach out to Colleen Swain: colleenswain@mercyinternational.ie and/or Jemima Welsh: jemimawelsh@mercyinternational.ie
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