MGA Emerging Leaders Fellows Group 4 Research Presentations, 2025

As a core component of their program, Cohort Four of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellows (2024-2025) prepared extensive research presentations on various justice issues from a Mercy lens.

These research presentations were delivered during a hybrid event at Mercy International Centre, 64a Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, and via Zoom on September 1st and 2nd, 2025..

The list below includes the details of each research project attibuted to the Fellows of MELF Cohort Four. 

Presenter: Elizabeth Blom (Australia)

Title: Where Mercy Dwells 

Elizaeth (Libby) Blom's research is entitled, “Where Mercy Dwells: Responding with Courage and Compassion to the Homelessness of Women and Children”.

Libby’s research examines the issue of homelessness among women and children, with a focus on Australia as a case study. Her study sheds light on the increasing prevalence of homelessness, particularly as it relates to domestic violence, economic hardship, and shortcomings in policy responses. Through this work, Libby aims to deepen our understanding of the structural and social factors that contribute to this pressing issue and to inform strategies for more effective support and intervention."

Libby Blom lives in Brisbane, Australia and is in an exciting time of reinvention. After many years working in mission leadership roles within Catholic ministries, including as Formation Manager at Mercy Partners, Libby is now exploring new ways to live out her calling.

She is in the early stages of launching Still Listening, a heart-led practice that weaves together her strengths in Spiritual Direction (currently completing her Masters), Facilitative Leadership, Enneagram-based discernment, consulting and retreat and pilgrimage facilitation. Always learning, she continues to deepen her skills in personal and communal transformation, with a focus on creating spaces of reflection, healing and purposeful action.

Libby sees Mercy not as something to admire from afar, but as a daily practice - a verb that invites us to listen, accompany, forgive and co-create a more just and compassionate world. 

Presenter: Charlotte Cummings (Aotearoa New Zealand)

Title: Mercy Governance Approaches to Caring for our Common Home

Charlotte's research project is entitled, “Mercy Governance Approaches to Caring for Our Common Home: Mercy Boards Responding to the Call of Laudato Si’.”

Mercy governance boards around the world face the shared challenge of leading ministries in response to the urgent call to care for our Common Home. This research explores how a Mercy lens can guide their approach to this global issue, shaping both their understanding and their response.

Charlotte Cummings currently serves as a Trustee of Whānau Mercy Ministries, which oversees the ministries which were established by the Sisters of Mercy in Aotearoa New Zealand. In her work as a counsellor, Charlotte has a professional focus on assisting faith based groups in responding to people who have experienced abuse and harm. Charlotte was educated at a Mercy school, Villa Maria College, and the Mercy charism is a significant part of her family. She is passionate about seeing Catherine McAuley’s example challenge us not just in what we do, but how we do it.

Presenter: Jewellyn Enemecio (Philippinnes)

Title: Sustainability of the Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Challenges and Support Mechanisms.

Jewellyn's research’s is entitled “Sustainability of the Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Challenges and Support Mechanisms”.

Jewellyn seeks to provide sustainable support for survivors of gender-based violence, particularly those who have endured human trafficking. Her focus is on addressing the challenges they face and developing mechanisms that will help reintegrate them into society with dignity and resilience."

Jewellyn is from the Philippines and is an experiential advocate and conducts advocacy against gender-based violence, violent communication, and has and been facilitating community-based education programs on women’s rights, HIV/AIDS campaign and reproductive health. With her experience in working with the grassroot, she becomes the voice of the marginalized groups and communities, particularly women and children.

She continues to mentor young advocates; leads capacity building workshops and amplifies stories of resilience and courage.

She believes that real change begins when people- especially women and girls who are empowered to speak, act and lead. Therefore, she envisions a future where justice is not a privilege but a right accessible to all.

Presenter: Fozia Gulab (Pakistan)

Title: Embracing Tension to Build Bridges of Understanding

Fozia's research is entitled “Social Justice Policies and Practices: A Survey Study of Public School of the Selected Districts of Karachi-Pakistan”. 

This research dives into an investigation on the integration and implementation of social justice policies and practices into classroom instruction. The findings of which are put forward to developing modules for teacher education institutions along with regular programs, to deepen the pre-service teacher’s capacity to practice social justice -related values, in their classrooms.

Fozia Gulab is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM). Her career includes notable roles as a faculty member, coordinator, and deputy director at the Notre Dame Institute of Education (NDIE) in Karachi. A passionate educator, Fozia is deeply committed to the personal and professional growth of her students. Her work is grounded in the core values of justice, peace, honesty, and equity, reflecting her belief in the transformative power of education. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards both in local and international arenas.

Presenter: Mai Nguyen (Australia)

Title: "Education Empowers Individuals: Transforms Lives and Futures"

Mai's research project is entitled, “Education Empowers Individuals:  Transforms Lives and Futures”.

Education is a path that leads people out of poverty and into a life of dignity and opportunity. It is a powerful tool for self-empowerment and for building a better future. Quality education not only helps individuals fulfill their dreams but also creates a more stable and secure future for all.

Mai Nguyen-Doan is a Mercy Sister who is  originally from Vietnam and now lives in Melbourne, Australia.  She is a member of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.  She works as a Social Worker at Mercy Health, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy.

Her deep passion for the work of Mercy is inspired by the Sisters of Mercy who carried out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy in a Refugee Camp.  Mai witnessed and also experienced their compassion and mercy.

Presenter: Luciah Njogu (Kenya)

Title: Traumatic Effects of Homelessness on Women and Children in Mukuru Slums. 

Luciah's research is entitled "Traumatic Effects of Homelessness on Women and Children in Mukuru Slums".  

In her research Luciah presents the highly traumatic experience by women and children, leading to a range of mental and emotional health challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety in the aftermath of being rendered homeless by disaster.

Luciah Wanjiku Njogu is a devoted mother of two sons who finds joy in bringing them up, mentoring young children, engaging in creative pursuits like prayer journals and reading a good book.

Professionally, she serves as the Education Co-Ordinator at Mukuru Promotion Centre, a non-profit-making Charity Organization under the Sisters of Mercy, Kenyan Province for 20 years, where she advocates justice and quality education for Mukuru slum children.  She feels inspired to see children reach their full potential, and to help them adapt different teachings to find a method that works for them.

She is passionate in serving the vulnerable group in the community and seeing them move out of poverty, to becoming independent and reliable people in the society and beyond.

Presenter: Jessica Marshall (Australia)

Title: "Living Laudato Si': Integrating Ecological Consciousness in Education"

Jessica's research is entitled “Living Laudato Si’: Integrating Ecological Consciousness in Education."

In her research, Jessica addresses the challenge of ecological awareness by exploring how Catholic schools can foster ecological understanding, action, and hope through a holistic, faith-informed approach. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, the research integrates Catholic Social Teaching, the Mercy tradition of justice and compassion, and the ecological knowledge of Australian First Nations peoples, whose profound spiritual connection to Country deepens our understanding of integral ecology.

Jessica Marshall lives in Meanjin, Brisbane on Turrbal Country, Australia, and is currently the Assistant Principal of Religious Education at All Saints Parish School, a Catholic primary school founded by the Sisters of Mercy.

Her connection to the Mercy tradition is rooted in her volunteer and professional work with those who experience various forms of disadvantage. Jess is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our society and ensuring their dignity is upheld.

A passionate educator and leader, Jess believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives and build a more just and compassionate world. She is committed to environmental justice, integrating care for creation into both spiritual formation and everyday school life.

Presenter: McKenna Smith(USA) 

Title: "Mercy in the Mirror"

McKenna's research is entitled “Mercy in the Mirror”.

In her research, McKenna hopes to address some of the problems that come from being separated from one's family and society, and to offer a space for healing.

McKenna is a teacher and researcher from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is working on becoming a Mercy Associate and is an OCIA facilitator. She is dedicated to uplifting the underserved in her community, particularly those who have been impacted by addiction, mental health problems, and incarceration.

The MELF programme has widened her understanding of advocacy and altered her definitions of justice and mercy. Additionally, this programme has allowed her to combine her studies with hands-on experience. She is eternally grateful for the Sisters of Mercy, her MELF Cohort, and all those who have believed in her along the way.

Presenter:  Sarah Terry (South Africa) 

Title: "Mercy Ambassadors' Programme: Creating Global Citizens for the 21st Century"

Sarah's research is entitled, “Mercy Ambassadors’ Programme: Creating Global Citizens For the 21st Century”

Sarah’s research focuses on the theme of developing in students a strong sense of identity aligned with the Mercy charism and encourages adaptability and cultural sensitivity through mindful communication, personal reflection, and cultural inclusivity.

Sarah Terry, from South Africa, is in her fourteenth year of teaching Dramatic Arts and Mathematics at St Teresa’s, an all-girls’ Sisters of Mercy school in Johannesburg.

Sarah is exceptionally proud of initiating and developing the Mercy Ambassadors’ Programme, designed to benefit deserving pupils of the school by building on the five core values of St Teresa’s: collaboration, excellence, compassion, spiritual growth and global responsibility.

She believes that the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship has played a considerable role in preparing her to play an even more active role in advocacy for young women in leadership in the very patriarchal society that is South Africa; and to provide the opportunity to have their young voices heard in the contexts of justice and mercy.

Presenter:  Teresa Vaughan (Aotearoa New Zealand) 

Title: "New Issues, Same Mercy Values: Applying Mercy Values to Today's Problems"

Teresa's research is entitled, “New Issues, Same Mercy values: Applying Mercy values to Today’s Problems.”

Through her research, Terresa aims to use Mercy values to analyze modern issues such as the use of land mines and nuclear weapons.

The impacts of these weapons disproportionately affect the underprivileged. This is the same part of society that Catherine set out to help.

Teresa Vaughan currently works for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in New Zealand. She has a background in the public service and before that spent many years in a chemistry lab. She comes from a family of Mercy women who are passionate about education, social justice issues and caring for the environment.